Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-01-14
THE REPORT FILED.
KANSAS PRISON INTERROGATION
COMMITTEE COMPLETES ITs
WORK AT LANSING.
MISS BARNARD NOT UPHELD
None Of the Charges Made by Okla
homa Commissioner Of charl-
ties Were Substantlated-
improvements Urged.

/
Topeka, Jan. 9.--The Kansas prison
Investigation committee, in Its report
| to Gov. Hoch, received shortly before
noon Friday, says that none OF the
charges Of Miss Kate Barnard, conn
missioner Of charities and corrections
Of Oklahoma, are sustained. With the
report Of the investigation the COM
mittee makes IS recommendations for
Improvement Of the prison. These
recommendations are:
We recommend that as soon as pos
sible the Oklahoma prisoners be re-
moved from the Kansas penitentiary.
That there should be better hospital
facilities and hospital strvice.
That there should be increased
medical attendance.
That there should be, a new hos
pital for the insane outside and apart
from the penitentiary.
That a new tuberculosis pavilion be
provided for the purpose Of prevent
ing the spread Of this dread disease;
and cure of the afflicted.
That the excessive and increasing
demand for coal by other state insti-
buttons shall not be menace to the
management, discipline and reform OF
the inmates of the prison, we should
recommend 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 physician.
That the system Of contract labor
be abolished.
That eight hours should constitute
days labor. That the entire admin
istration of the penitentiary be re-
moved from political influence.
That the tenure Of Office of the war
den should be during good behavior
and efficient and progressive manage
ment.
That the warden should have full
appointing power under civil service
rules and that he be held RESPONSE
BILE for the entire management.
That the entire official roll should
be reorganized, efficient men being
retained and inefficient being dis
missed.
That the penitentiary and reforma'
tory be placed under one board OF d.
rectors or under the state board OF
control
That a new kitchen be built and
improved dining room service pro-
vided.
That in all future appropriations
the amount for food be separated
from the amount of general appro-
priatlons for maintenance.
That the standard of diet be raised
service in the dining room improved
by 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 peniten-
tiary be increased, not only for the
sake Of reform but for economy. At
least as much should be spent on edu-
cation as OH tobacco, for which latter
article about $500 is appropriated
annually.
In regard to the charges made BY
! Miss Barnard the committee says:
Except In minute detail the charges
against Warden, Haskell and his sub
ordlnates of cruelty and inhumanity
to prisoners, OF poor and insufficient
food Of excessive and dangerous Ia
Dor In the mines, Of poor sanitation
and Of discrimination against Okla
homa prisoners are not sustained BY
our investigation. While no legiti-
/ mate complaint Of Observation-Disclosures
can be urged against the prison au-
thoritles, there are improvements de-
slrable and evils to be corrected In
the equipment and management Of
/ the penitentiary.