Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1909-01-19
MANY RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR CHANGESIN STATELAWS

into the details and by informing
yourselves of the facts you will recog-
nize the imperative necessity of meet
ing the situation by prompt and COM
prehensive action.
The best interest of the State de-
mands that a complete and thorough
reform be inaugurated. Under pres
ent conditions the hardened, chronic
criminals, the men who have, for the
| first time, strayed from the path OF
rectitude and mere boys whose crimes
We're due more to evil associations
than to inherent Viciousness, are
| herded together indiscriminately
Men afflicted with infectious disease
are confined in the same room with
those in sound health, there being
no other place to confne them with
safety. The prison is crowded to its
| full capacity and it is impossible, un
der existing conditions, to give TO
| the physical welfare of the prisoners
the care and consideration which the
officials of the institution would de-
sire and justice and humanity de-
mands. The prisoners should be seq
regated. The habitual criminals
should be kept entirely apart from
those prisoners whose bearing and
prison conduct give promise of refor-
nation. 1t is a crime to endanger the
health of any person, regardless of
his character. by confining him in a
room with persons suffering from in
| fectiouS diseases. To correct this
evil a building should be constructed
suffering from such diseases. The
building in which the female prison
ers are confined is in the main prison
and the women are not permitted
to leave the building for fresh air
and exercise until the male prisoners
are locked up for the night. During
the winter months the female prison
ers are practically debarred from the
use OF the yard They should have a
yard to themselves in order to permit
them TO take necessary exercise in
| the sunshine and fresh air.
It is imperative that profitable en-
ployment be found for the inmates
Ot this institution. This should -
done for reasons both economic and
humane. Continued idleness cannot
but prove demoraliZing to men Of
strong character and moral instincts
and, is especially demoralizing to the
class of men confined in the prison
At this time the principal occupation
Of the prisoners is planning escape
The Warden's report shows that it
costs the State $1.O3 Ser day for each
inmate of the institution, making the
total daily expense, at this time
is225.57.
Ours is the only penal institution
] in the country, so far as | am able
to learn. that does not find usetu
employment for its convicts. The
prison can. and should. be made self
sustaining. The establishment of {
manufacturing enterprise at the pris
on seems to be the most practica
solution of this problem. The articl,
manufactured should be such tha
would find a ready market and tina
would not come into competition will
any industry in the State employin:
free labor. If these conditions ar,
= complied with the result will be mos
beneficial to all concerned. TIL,
! State treasury will be relieved of
: severe and ever increasing drain. dis
: cipline improved and the condition O
: the prison population changed from
: idleness to industry with all the a
I tending advantages.
= The recommendations contained i
: the Warden's report are commende
, to your favorable consideration.
: Hospital for Mental Diseases
: The Nevada Hospital for Menta
2 diseases is another institution suffel
D lHS from all oVelcTbWuSl .'bIi'iii'i ~
2 Two hundred and ten patients ar
|, now under treatment, the vast m;
jority of whom are hopeless mentf
wrecks. Every provision possible
2 under the circumstances, is made b
: the management for the care an
!. comfore of these unfortunate ward
= of the State, but the number is S
!. much in excess of the present al
y commodations that three and fou