The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-08

OF punishment. Long connnement IN
! this place was, in the opinion of the
committee, "deleteriods to the system. :
Qualifications of Prison OmciaIs.
Another conclusion of the committee
was, that any official who held his Of
flee at the penitentiary merely as a
job, without the responsibility of his
service to humanity has no legitimate
place there"
Sanitary Conditions.
The sanitary conditions were found
satisfactory except as regard care of
the sick. It was suggested that a
graduate of the Kansas university
school of medicine be sent there as as
ton of the cell houses, kitchens and
mines was found to be good. Larger
cell houses were recommended and one
prisoner to the cell.
Made Eighteen Recommendations.
In brief. the following are the chief
recommendations and conclusions of the
committee:
We recommend that as soon as possi-
bic the Oklahoma prisoners be removed
from the Kansas penitentiary.
That there should be better hospital
facilities and hospital service.
That there should be increased medi-
cal attendance.
That there should be new hospital
for the criminal insane. located outside
and apart from the penitentiary.
That a new tuberculosis pavilion be
provided for the purpose of preventing
the spread of this dread disease; and
cure of the afflicted
That the excessive and increasing de-
mand for coal by other state institu-
tions shall not be a menace to the man
agement, discipline and reform of the
inmates Of the prison. We should rec
Iommend that the amount mined should
depend upon the number of available
men who would suffer no detriment by
working in the mines, as determined by
the judgment of the warden and physi-
clan.
That the system of contract labor
be abolished.
That eight hours should constitute
a days labor.
That the entire administration of
the penitentiary be removed from po-
liticaI influence.
That the tenure of office of the
warden should be during good be-
havior and efficient and progressive
management.
That the warden should have full
appointing power under civil service
rules and that he be held responsible
for the entire management.
That the entire official roll shold be
reorganized, efficient men being re-
tanned and inefficient being dismissed.
That the penitentiary and reforma-
tory be placed under one board of di-
rectors or under the state board of
control.
That a new k1tchen De DullL ana lIl-
proved dining room service provided.
That in all future appropriations the
amount for food be separated from the
amount of general appropriations for
maintenance.
That the standard of diet be raised,
service in the dining room improved py
less haste and by insisting that all
walters shall serve in clean jackets
and aprons
That only one person be allowed in
CELL
That increased appropriation for
educational purposes be made and the
educational feature of the penitentiary
be increased, not only for the sake of
reform but for economy. At least as
much should be spent on education as
on tobacco, for which latter article
about $500 is appropriated annually.
Report Very Lengthy.
The report of the committee is
quite lengthy and goes into detail in
every department of the investiga-
ton All the important findings are
covered above, but the table of con-
tents of the report give an idea of its
detail, and are as follows:
Charges of Miss Bernard.
Governor Hochs instructions to the
committee.
The report.
General statement.
Glass of prisoners.
The Oklahoma prisoners, their pun
ishment and discipline.
Prison administration.
Sanitary conditions.
Conditions of the mines.
Education.