The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-12-28
PRISON RUN ON
BUSINESS LINES
Warden Pratt's Administration
Results in Saving to
the State.
ANNUAL REPORT FILED
NEW CELL HOUSE AND INDEPEN-
DENT WATER SYSTEM NEEDED

Warden Arthur Pratts biennial report,
filed with the governor yesterday, shows
improvement in all lines at the state pen
itentiary, a lettering of the physical con-
dition of the institution and a marked de-
crease iii the cost of maintenance.
During the two years ending Dee. !,
1906 243 prisoners were received at the
penitentiary and a4 left through the ex-
piratiOn Of their sentences, on parole or
through death. There are 30 prisoners
serving sentences at the present time.
A the close of the previous two years,
19s3-19o4, the cost of maintenance per cap
ita per day was 80 cents. IL is now IS Is
cents per day per capita This decrease
has been effected by careful and sys-
tematie government OF the institution
and despite the fact that each of twenty
four employees received an increase of $40
per month and many improvements were
made. These expenditures are included
under cost of maintenance, "A new car
penter shop and blacksmith shop have
been erected. two modern concrete cells
have been built and pOrches have been
added TO front cell-houses. Cost of light
ing the buildings and yards. expenditures
for food. clothing, medicine and other ex-
penses are also included under the head
of maintenance.
State Saves Money.
While bringing the physical condition
OF the penitentiary to an excellent cOnui
ton Warden Pratt has saved the state
S15.9S3 0S during the past tsrO years. OF
tenance. Through legislative appropria-
tions $4,000 was set aside for the main
tenance of the institution for two years.
beginning 1908. The amount named WAS
saved by careful, systematic develop
ment of the penitentiaTy farm of $50 acres.
which supplies all vegetables, milk, hay,
grain and meats needed, and in the man
fracture of all stockings, socks and
clothing needed by prisoners and inmates
OF the state insane asylum In the dis
tribution of gratuities Warden Pratt eff
Tod rfr4rr Of -fe-f An,
er has completed his sentence he is pro-
vided with clothing, shoes, hat and
from 80 to SO, with which to start life
anew. Instead of buying these outfits al
regular store prices, Warden Pratt has
tailors, shOemakers and other prisoners
occupied constantly in keeping a supply
Of furnishings on hand. When A prisoner
Is about to leave the penitentiary he is
measured for a tailor-made suit. made OF
Utah fabrics and cut to fit well as
the high-priced custom garments worn
by outsiders While prisoners who now
step out of the penitentiary in Utah are
better clothed and better fitted to begin
a new life, the cost of making this pos
sible has been cut almost in half.
Well Equipped Armony.
A new armory-One of the most modern
and thoroughly equipped in any peniten-
tiary in the west-has been built at a
saving of s10S.S6 in the appropriation set
aside by a past legislature. The deficit
for 1884 was S65S 80. This sum has been
returned, bringing the total saving dur
ing Warden Pratt's regime close TO the
$4,000 mark.
An appropriation of S6.000 for the eree-
ton of cottages just east Of the east wall
was used to build six modern six-room
cottages for guards and their families
Guards pay a nominal rent and i'm hav-
ing these cottages connected with the
main office of the penitentiaFy a reserve
guard is always at hand. When a guard
desires to come to town he reports at the
office. Three guards are always at home
and should a break or fire occur at night
the walls can be surrounded within a few
seconds after the dOings commence. Be
fore this scheme was carried cut. guards
were compelled TO do all-night duty twice
week in addition to regular shifts. and
as no extra paw was advanced for this,
harmony was sadly lacking among the
employees of the institution Guards
monthly wages were increased $40, rails