Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-02-18
REFORM IN LEASING
OF STATE PRISONERS
WOMEN AND INFIRM MEN NOT TO
BE HIRED OUT.
State Farm Is Suggested for Such,
But Revenue from Leasing Con-
viets Will Not BE Decreased.

TALLAHASSEE. Feb. i7.-In his
inaugural address last month Cover.
nor Gilchrist gave strong approval 10
the suggestion made by Commission
er Of Agriculture that those cOnvicts
who are women and infirm men should
not be leased out to contractors. but
should be detained on a farm or az
some other employment owned and
operated by the State. and expressed
the hope that this suggestion would
be enacted into law.
This movement Is making progress.
The schedule OF requirements adopted
by the Board Of Commissioners Of
State Institutions-which Is composed
Of the Governor and his entire cabi-
net-with which the contractor for
the lease Of all State cOnvicts for the
four years beginning January I. 1910,
must comply. contains the following
provision:
Anyone presenting a bid for the
hire Of State prisoners Is required to
name therein the per capita per an
mum price he or they agree TO pay
the State OF Florida for all State pris-
Oners subject to all Of the above cOndi-
tons. with the express understanding
and agreement that the Board OF Com
misslOners OF State institutions shall,
II authorized by laW. have the right,
az any time they may desire. TO with.
draw from said lease all women and
invalid male prisoners. and from the
time OF the withdrawal OF said women
and invalid male prisoners, the lessee
shall pay fifteen per cent additional
on the per capita amount OF said bid.
as made under the terms and sDecif-
cations herein set forth.
The Commissioner OF Agriculture
and the Board OF Commissioners Of
State Institutions win increase the
per capita price per annum by fifteen
per cent on all prisoners not so with,
drawn from said lease.
The Commissioner OF Agriculture
and Board Of Commissioners Of State
Institutions reserve the right to mOdi-
~ any contract for the hire OF State
prisoners. % the extent OF leasing
only those capable Of performing rea-
sOnable service az manual labor"
The proposal 10 detail women and
inhrm male prisoners OF a State
farm. thus forming a nucleus for a
State penitentiaTy proper. now awaits
only the necessary authority Of legis-
latiye action. which Il Is believed will
be- given az the approaching session.
The reasons favOring the proposed
change need no argument Common
iecency and every other element OF
humanity demand that women and In
arm male prisoners be not subjected |
10 the hardships OF the contract con.
net camps. Manifestly. these classes
1f prisoners are not physically able TO
perform the tasks OF able-bOdied Ia
fWAhAas W. MMANN INC NAAatANN AZ Il
'angoment the contractors are re-
Iuired 10 pay the same per capita
rice for an prisoners. and Il H. hu.
nan nature that these contractors will
~ 10 get fun return in labor for their
money from an prisoners whom they
ease. be they women. men or inyalids.
The proposal % detain the weaker
laEses OF prisoners ON a State farm
hOuld b. as acceptable 20 prospective
essees. for business reasons. as Il Is
o rightthinking citizens for humani-
arian reasons. Lessees would then
ecure only able-bOdied male prison
rs. Who would be- much more val
shle 10 them. and for whose labor
hey would naturally be- willing 20 pay
larger per capita price than d nov
aid per capita for the whole body
{ prisoners. men aud women. weak
nd strong. The revenues OF the State
l0uld thus b. fully projected and a
reat reform Ia prison management
IT. ..|||.".|