The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-28
URGES REFORMS IN
MICHIGAN PRISONS
Commission Created by Last Legis-
lature Would Abolish Contracts
and Teach Useful Trades.

ton OF the problem OF economically Ell
forcing the criminal laws; the prison
industries commission created by act
OF the last legislature and instructed
to Investigate the question how best
can the state employ its convicts, TO-
day completed its report
II declares that no industry can be
operated in the prisons that Is NOT
engaged in by free labor and that
prison-made goods should be sold IN
genuine competition with goods mace
by free men. The abolition or the con-
tract system and the working or all
prisoners on state account is recon-
mended.
The board has inspected the penal
institutions of Michigan. Minnesota
Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois, New
York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Con.
necticut, Massachusetts, Indiana ana
Maine. II was created by the last
legislature so that a course OF acton
for revising the conduct and MANAGE
ment of the Michigan prisons could
be outlined TO the legislature, which
meets next week. A forecast or the
findings was printed by The Times
several weeks ago.
The members are Gov. Warner,
Leonard Freeman OF Fenton, who I'M
til his election to the senate was
member OF the board OF control OF
Ionia prison; Edward B. Anthony OF
Marquette, member of the board OF
control of Marquette prison, and John
II. Adams of Kalamazoo, member OF
the board Of Jackson prison.
According to the report, reforms
should be gradually introduced. The
development of the Jackson binder
Irvine plant is recommended. The
commission believes that existing
contracts at Marquette and Ionia
should be taken over by the state,
declares that prisoners cannot profit
ably or wisely be employed in Michi-
gan at road making, and the raising
OF provisions on prison farms by the
inmates and also the employment OF
a state agent who shall be guide
In the state are recommended.
The board points to the Elmira, n.
Y, reformatory as the best example
OF what Is sought to be established
In Michigan, and refers to the Detroit
house Of correction as an institution
whose management is commendable.
Referring of the management OF
prisons, the board says:
We submit the primary purpose
OF prisons should be correction and
aim to reform. They should be so
managed and equipped as to build up
character and inculcate In the inmates
thereof the principles of right living,
thus fitting them for better citizen
ship when released. To accomplish
this. moral training and influences
should be exerted and educational ad-
vantages literally extended. In addi-
ton to these Influences daily labor
must be required In order to preserve
health, promote discipline and place
the institution as nearly as possible
on self-sustaining basis" --..-.
This Is the creed which the board
believes should govern the attitude OF
the state towards it's prisons. Refer
ence Is made to the increasing tenden-
cy to take up new methods of reform
along lines radically different from
those In vogue. and it Is urged that
this should be kept In mind along
with the necessity of employing the
inmates at occupations which will pro-
duce as great an income as possible
consistent with reform ideas.
Arguing that the state should not be
Influenced by "the whims and fancies
OF those opposed to prison labor" It
is declared that no industry can be
maintained which will not compete
with free labor, but 1t Is added that
the product should not be marketed
at cut-rate prices.
Upon the proposal that the labor of
penal institutions beused to manufac-
ture goods FOR state institutions, II is
commended that this would divide the
labor into such small units that the
cost to the state would be greater
than 1t is now.
I'VE think" II Is continued, the
determination of what shall be man
ufactured in our penal institutions
should be left TO the judgment of the
board OF control of each institution.
The contract system should be abol.
ished. Prison labor should be entire
ly utilized by this state on its own
account in industries which will yield
substantial profit upon the sale in
fair competition with free labor. In
dustries which are adopted In our in
situations should be such as will. az
far as possible, teach the inmates
trades and At them for earning wages
when they are released. The board
IL OF the opinion that the prisons can
be made self-sustaining II the legis.
lature will permit the boards of CON
troll TO operate industries upon state
account"
Upon the matter OF abandoning the
state contract system ii is urged that
instead OF precipitately abandoning
the system, the legislature should al.
low the prison boards to act as rapid
ly as possible and entirely abolish
the system within five years, the law
10 prevent any board renewing COR
tracts for more than five years.
The board reiterates it's approval
OF the plan of manufacturing goods
ON state account throughout the re-
port, but adds emphatically each time
that these goods should not be sold
al cut rates in competition with free
labor, but should be sold at fair
prices.
Referring TO the Detroit house nj
correction II is pointed out that the
institution, which is operated on the
state account plan, makes an annual
pront OF several thousand dollars.
while the state prisons operated nm.
der a contract system each have an
annual deficit. and the board believes
that under the state account system
these institutions could he ,ooda -