The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-06
REPORT UPHOLDs
WARDEN RUSSELL
Conditions in Marquette Are Pro-
nounced Satisfactory by Legisla-
tive Committee Majority.
From . stan correspondent

tFrom a stan Correspondent.p
LANSING, Mich, April 6.-The ma
jority report OF the committee on III
vestigation of The Marquette prison
was made public last night, although
IL had been intended TO hold II TIL
today, when il will be presented to
the house.
The majority report admits that
conditions might be improved III
many respects, but maintains that
Warden Russell has given the state
the best administration that any one
could expect Ii explains padding
and other forms OF corporal punish
ment, including the Handwriting OF
prisoners with their arms raised, and
says that these things are not harm
ful unless oyerdone. IL recommends
that prisoners be not padded eX-
Cept with the concurrence OF mem
Der OF the board OF control and pos.
sibly OF prison chaplain, stating that
ii time was taken to call In an out
isider. there would be a cooling OF
anger that might exist on either side.
The report says that the chaining up
OF prisoners would not be bad II care
was always taken not TO manacle
them so tightly as 10 chafe the
wrists and not to leave them more
than six hours Sometimes, the re-
port states. prisoners have been truss
ed up for IL hours, including a whole
light.
Serious fault is found with the
system CT caring for the prisoners
earnings and the funds of the inst!-
tuition, which. IL is said. are deposited
in local bank without eXacting any
; interest.
The principal condemnation is re
served for the contract system OF en-
ploying convicts, and the state Is
urged to terminate all contracts as
soon as possible and put the convicts
10 work under state control. The
findings OF the committee are sum
med up in this general summary:
The general physical, sanitary and
moral condition OF the prison Is good.
The men are healthy, have plenty
of wholesome food comfortable cells
and clothes.
As to the recommendation, regard
ing corporal punishment II ought new
er TO be used for simple offense or
failure to do task" and possibly the
laws should be extended to govern
specifically the offenses in which II
should be used, and the time and man
ner of its administration defined.
The state should stop allowing
money TO be used and should not use
the convicts' money unless interest
Is received.
Contract labor should be abolished
at once, and the men put to work on
state account.
Since the return of your committee,
IL has been advised by the warden
that William Russell is no longer con-
nected with the prison, and We are OF
the opinion that such OF the cause OF
friction and complaints prevailing
heretofore will now disappear
In handling the number and kind OF
criminals that the warden Of any
prison is compelled 10. ii Is unavoid.
able that at times eact justice is not
done, but these are of minor import
ance, when the question OF proper
discipline is at stake and taken as a
whole, we believe that the work OF
James Russell as warden should be
approved
There is a chance that the minor
ity report will not be turned in till
the report comes up as a special or
der, probably the fore part OF next
week
AS has repeatedly been forecasted,
II will condemn Warden Russell and
all forms OF corporal punishment.
SANFORD.