The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-05-25


greatest effort since assuming the du-
ties of warden Of the state peniten-
tiary."
The foregoing was a statement made
by f. 0. Hellstrom, state pen warden,
to a Forum representative recently
during an inspection of the state peni-
Tertiary. Mr.. Hellstrom showed The
Forum man every possible courtesy
and even promised to place at his dis
posal one of the largest and roomiest
cells-should the writer be convicted
of criminal libel.
While very few of Mr.. Hellstrom's
family of PIT prisoners, ranging from
one-year men to "lifers," expressed any
desire to remain within the walls of
the institution longer, this is no re-
Election on Mr.. Hellstrom's popularity.
In fact there were numerous indica-
tons that the warden is regarded by
the convicts as a necessary evil and
a good sort of fellow.
Some notable changes have been eff
fected in the pen and its management
by Mr.. Hellstrom. They have chiefly
been along sanitary, humane, economic
and technical lines.
Sanitary Improvements.
The most notable, perhaps, have been
the improved sanitary conditions. This
is the warden's hobby and it is a good
thing for the prisoners. The construc-
ton of new cell house is the most
important development along this line.
Mr.. Hellstrom hopes to have the old
one entirely torn down and further
new cells constructed. The new part
is as sanitary, or more so, than most
modern hotels. 1t has open work
plumbing and the slightest difficulty
is Immediately discovered and repair
ed The ventilation and light Is sat-
isfactory and the conveniences are
modern
In carrying out his pet hobby on
sanitation, Mr.. Hellstrom has almost
converted the penitentiary hospital
into a granary. Only small part of
it is now in use for temporary and
chronic cases. There is no longer
crying demand for the place.
Cleanliness Is everywhere apparent.
The cells, Kitchens dining room, store
houses and work rooms are more
cleanly than found in private places.
/ Wherever 1t is possible, concrete floors
have taken the places of theold wood
! have taken the places of the old wood
Humane Treatment.
| There has been tendency ell over
the country to modify the treatment
of the prisoners. In this respect the
North Dakota institution has kept pace
with the other penal institutions. "The
severest treatment an obstreperous
prisoner receives here is being hand
cuffed with his arms around a post till
he decides to submit to prison disci-
pine" explained the pen warden.
With this treatment goes the usual
bread and water diet. 1t doesn't re-
qutre an extended period to reduce the
most insubordinate.
Other forms of punishment are TAX
ing away the good time" Along this
line Warden Hellstrom has made some
changes both in form and methods
He now keeps a daily record of every
prisoner with especial reference to in
dustry and conduct Each prisoner
has separate record and IL is the
work of but moment to refer to any
man wanted to find out how he has
conducted himself A bad record Is a
bar to a pardon.
As a further stimulus to good con-
duct and to obedience, under the new
law prisoners receive pay for over
time. This overtime pay amounts to
cents day. After a prisoner has
saved up SIS, he is allowed to use one
| sixth OF what he earns and the rest goes
to those dependent on him. In this
way some Of the long term prisoners
are able to send money to their wives
and children.
Good time Is allowed only for in
| duStry and department.
There are other incentives for good
behavior in more freedom, permission
to receive tobacco and other "delica-
cies" and "luxuries," to become 'trus-
ties" and numerous other privileges
that orderly prisoners receive which
others do not enjoy.
| The prisoners are graded according
to industry and department and the
first grade men are accorded liberties
that make life within the prison walls
much more tolerable
The men have more or less amuse
ment among themselves. They have a
band. Once each year they are allow
| ed to give q minstrel or vaudeville
show and there are some talented peo-
pie inside the institution. some with
splendid voices.
A change has been made by the
warden in photographing the prison
ers. A front and a profile view are
now taken at the same time with a
mirror photographing apparatus This
enables both pictures to be made on a
single column cut where formerly IL
required single column cut for each.
Making Brick.
We have made some economic I'm
provements Of an important charac-
ter" said the warden. I'VE removed
the old brick yards from the opposite
side of Bismarck, three miles away. to
location near the pen, where the
operation is much more convenient
This year we will make from 1000
600 to 100000 brick We have added
improved machinery and a different
working system. A task plan Is now
adopted and we find much better re-
suits and the men do the work in much
shorter hours than formerly. I esti-
mate that the brick department alone
viii show profit to the state this
year Of perhaps $4,000"
Manufacturing Irvine.
The twine plant is one of the inter-
esting features Of the institution. The
warden estimates that from $4,000 to
$4,000 viii be made for the state in
this department The most improved
Irvine machinery Is used. Every safe
guard Is arranged TO protect the lives
and the persons OF the men engaged
in the work. The r.Nw Irvine is pur-
chased in million pound lots and the
twine output Is remarkable evidence
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