The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-09-16
THESTATEPR|S0N
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF WAR;
DEN SWENSON MAKES A
GOOD SHOWING
OUTPUT OF TWINE PLANT
Fwine Plant and the Shirt Factory
Both Contributed Largely to
Profits and Justified
SstalI alton

Sioux Falls-From the annual report
Of Warden Swenson of the state peni-
tentiary, which is located n this
1 city, which report bears date June
so, 1910. and which is submitted to the
state board of charities and correc-
tions some interesting data con e n
ing the prison and it's inhabitants is
cleaned
1t will be of interest to note, in
the first place, that according to the
report, the prison population Is not
growing as rapidly as might he 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 30th day of June, 1910 was
only II more than it was on the same
date, two years previously. June so,
1908, the population was 203 and on
the same date 1910 it was 214.
The difference in the number Of
prisoners received between July 1,
1908, and July l, 1909, and those re-
ceived from July /, 1909, to July /,
1910 is also interesting.
The number received from July l,
1908, to June so. 1909, was 191 while
the number received from June 30,
1909 to July l, 1910 was les, an in
crease of only 81. over the prev Gus
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
two years from July l, 1908 to June
80, 1910, was 2SS.
The report states that the health
Of the population Of the prison during
the period which closed June 80, this
year. has been unexcelled. during any
similar period. This condition is at
tributed. in a large measure to the
pure water in use at the prison ana
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 sth. 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
period covered by the report.
The prison library now contins 2,26C
volumes and continues to be source
of decided pleasure and comfort tC
the prisoners The total cash ce7pts
to the library fund from visitors, dur
ing the two years from July l, 1908 tc
July /, 1910, were s2,957.75. In con-
nection 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. g!es
club. composed of inmates of the pris
on and directed by one of them, who
has had experience in the giving o
musjval instruction, is now one OF ths
organizations Of the institution, whlcf
is doing a very great deal to shet
much light, in places Previously som
ber.
Another effort to suggest to the IN
mates of the prison that the ligh
still shines for them, has been made
in the placing of an electric light II
each cell in the institution.
The entire prison building has beer
renovated and painted during the pas
two wears. All cells have been white
washed and corridors and halls pant
ed All other departments OF tn'
prison are being similarly treated, add
ing greatly to the sanitary condl
tions and the cheerfulness Of tn
place. Inmates are doing this wori
and it is a source of infinite graft
fcation to them to be so occupied
The old cell hall. long in disuse, i
being prepared for use again. A neV
hath tub has been placed in the prls
on hospital The small park In tn
prison ward is thriving and doing 1t
, hest TO shed a little good cheer abOu
: the place.
; The shirt factory has been sourc
Of income during the period covere
,, by the report. The total net earn
inxs of the factory have been $40,
!, 45S24 which has been a saving t.
! the state of that amount in the ex
: pense of supporting the prison an
also in garments made for inmates
and it has provided employment TO
an average of 93 men per day
, The prison twine plant was com
pleted March IL 1909, and the prof
t from the twne sold from the date O
: commencing operations to June &c
0 1910, was 5,2S2.23.
e The profit to the state from tn
4 twine plant during the last season O
: it's operation. was $13.fS099.
!, The financial condition OF the In
stitution is good.
Fourteen prisoners have been lib
= Grated on parole, during the past yea
and all have remained faithful to tn
trust reposed in them by the state
They have reported faithfully eac
month and two. whose sentences nav
5 expired have been discharged fror