Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1910-09-22
THE STATE PRISON
The Annual Report Of Warden Makes
Good Showing for Institution

1000 Showing for Institution
Sioux Falls-From the annual renort
OF Warden Swenson of the state peni-
tsstiary, which is located in this
city, which report bears date June
81, 1910. and which is submitted to the
state board of charities and correc-
tlons some interesting data concern
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 be ex-
pecteo, In state the total population
OF which is increasing, as is that OF
South Dakota.
The total population of the prison
on the 3oth day of June, 1910 was
only II more than it was on the same
cate, two years previously June 80,
1908, the population was 2o9 and on
the same date 1910 it was PA
The difference in the number of
prisoners received between July /,
1908, and July l, 1909, and those re-
eeivsd from July /, 1909, to July l.,
1910 is also interesting
The number received from July l.
1908, to June 80, 1909, was 1S1 while
the number received from June 80
1909 to July 1, 1910 was 1sS, 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
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 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 /, 1909, and that was
on June Sth, 1909, when w E. Wing
ert died as 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 1880
volumes and continues to be 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 1, 1903 to
July /, 1910, were $2,957.75. In con-
nection with this item in the report
the statement is made that each 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 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
washed and corridors and halls paint
ed All other departments of ths
prison are being similarly treated, add
ing greatly to the sanitary condi-
tions and the cheerfulness of the
place. Inmates are doing this work
and it is a source of infinite graft
fication to them to be so occupied.
The old cell hall, long in disuse, is
being prepared for use again. A new
bath tub has been placed in the pris-
on hospital. The small park in the
prison yard is thriving and doing its
best to shed little good cheer about
the place.
The shirt factory has been source
of income during the period covered
by the report. The total net earn
ings of the factory have been $780,
45824, which has been saving to
the state of that amount in the ex-
pense of supporting the prison and
also in garments made for inmates
and 1t has provided employment for
an average of SO men per day.
The prison Irvine plant was COM
pleted March IT, 1909. and the profit
from the twine sold from the date OF
commencing operations to June 80,
1910, was s5,2S2.23.
The profit to the state from the
Irvine plant during the last season OF
it's operation, was s13,6S099.
The financial condition of the In
stitution Is good.
Fourteen prisoners have been lib
Grated on parole, during the past year
and all have remained faithful to the
trust reposed in them by the state.
They have reported faithfully each
month and two. whose sentences have
aypired hava been DISCHARGED from