The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-09-15
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF WAR
DEN SWENSON MAKES A
GOOD SHOWING
OUTPUT OF TWINE PLANT
win Plant and the Shirt Factory
Both Contributed Largely to
Profits and justified
installation

city. which report bears date June
80, 1910. and which is submitted to the
state board of charities and correc.
lions some interesting data concern.
ing the prison and it's inhabitants is
cleaned.
1t will be of interest to note, in
the hrst place, that according to the
report, the prison population is not
growing as rapidly as might be ex-
pected, in a state the total population
OF which is increasing, as is that of
South Dakota.
The total population of the prison
On the S0th day of June, 1910 was
only IL more than it was on the same
date, W years previously. June 80,
1908, the population was 203 and on
the same date 1910 it was Ola.
n difference in the number Of
prisoners received between July I,
1908, and July l, 1909, and those re-
ceived from July I, 1909, to July /,
1910 is also interesting.
The number received from July /,
1908, to June so, 1909, was 131 while
the number received from June 80,
1909 to July l, 1910 was 16S, an in
crease of only 81, over the previous
year, while during the same period,
South Dakota's population increase is
known to have been very much larger
than during any period of similar
length in her history.
The total number Of prisoners dis
charged from the prison, during the
80, 1910, was 2SS.
Tho rarnrt gtato. thai tho l-o1@l
Of the population Of the prison during
the period which closed June 80, this
year, has been unexcelled, during n
similar period. This condition is at
~tributed, in a large measure to the
pure water in use at the prison and
to the wholesome food which that big
garden has very largely assisted In
supplying to the inmates.
But one death occurred in the pris-
on, since July l, 1909, and that was
on June 9Th, 1909, when w. e. Wing
ert died as a result Of scepticomiae.
Discipline, in the prison, according
to the report, Is first class and has
been undisturbed by any incident for
many months. No escape, nor at
tempt at escape was made during the
period covered by the report.
The prison library now contins 1890
volumes and continues to be a source
Of decided pleasure and comfort to
the prisoners. The total cash receipts
to the library fund, from visitors, dur
ing the two years from July /, 1908 to
July /, 1910, were $2,957.75. In con-
n~ection with this item In the report
the statement is made that leach in
mate in addition to being allowed to
draw books from the library, Is per-
mitted to subscribe for such news
papers and magazines as are premit-
ted to enter the prison."
Fifteen standard magazines are
furnished for the prison by the state
and are read by the inmates.
Chapel services, which are not COM
pulsory, are we'll attended. A glee
club, composed of inmates of the pris-
on and directed by one of them, who
has had experience in the giving of
musival instruction. Is now one of the
organizations of the institution, which
is doing a very great deal to shed
much light, In places Previously SOM
Der.
Another effort to suggest to the in
mates OF the prison that the light
still shines for them, has been made
in the placing of an electric light in
each cell in the institution.
The entire prison building has been
renovated and painted during the past
two years. All cells have been white
and corridors and halls paint
ed. All other departments Of the
prison are being similarly treated, add
ing greatly to the sanitary condi-
and the che~erfulness Of the
place. Inmates are doing this work
and it is a source of infinite graft
to them to be sc occupied.
The old cell hall, long in. disuse, is
being prepared for use again. A new
bath tub has been placed in the pris-
hospital. The small park in tLe
prison yard is thriving and doing its
best to shed a little good cheer about
he place.
The shirt factory has been a source
IF income during the period covered
Dy the report. The total net earn
ngs of the factory have been s20,-
1924, which has been a saving to
he state of that amount in the ey-
of supporting the prison and
also In garments made for inmates,
md it has provided employment for
IN average of SO men per day.
The prison Irvine plant was com
)leted March II, 1909, and the profit
rom the Irvine sold from the date OF
commencing operations to June 80,
80, was ~s5,2S2.23.
The profit to the state from the
wine plant during the last season OF
Is operation. was S13,fS0. 80.
The financial condition of the in
titution Is good.
Fourteen prisoners have been lib
rated on parole, during the past year
nd all have remained faithful to the
rust reposed in them by the state.
hey have reported faithfully each
Month and two. whose sentences have
xpired have been discharged from
Ten prisoners are in the institution
nder the indeterminate sentence law,
,hich IS having bene6eiaS eGect.
Warden Swenson recommends a
ling or separate building for female