The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-24
IONA CONVICTS
MAINTAINED AT
DECREASED'COST
High Cost OF Living Is Over
come in Michigan Re
formatory
ANNUAL REPORT OF
WARDEN FULLER FILED
Farm Extension Plan Is Fa-
yored by Head of In
stitution

LANSING, Mich, Dee. 24.-(Spe
claLl Apparently the high cost of ry
Ing has not entered into the manage
ment or one institution in Michigan
at least, as the biennial report
OF the Michigan Reformatory al
ionia shows that whereas II cost
he state S212 to maintain q
prisoner for year from 1890
20 1894. the same prisoner may be
cared for at the expense OF the state
fer ts6 per year. The biennial report
filed with Gov. Osborn to-day IL the
most complete or any report ever pre-
pared by that institution
Il IL claimed by the board OF con-
troll that Ionia prison would have
paid all current expenses and turned
balance into the state treasury II II
tad received the same allowance from
the board OF prisoners as was receiv-
ed Dy the Detroit house OF correction,
With which Ii Is frequently compared.
The reformatory at Ionia not only re-
ceives nothing from this source, but
II required to make large disburse-
uents for the support OF families OF
wife deserters.
BY direction OF the board Warden
Fuller has secured options upon 292
acres Of land joining the reformatory
grounds, and the Legislature 10 urged
10 appropriate enough money for the
rnrchase OF this property.
Speaking OF the farm extension the
board says: The state board OF cor
fecfions and charities considered and
approved the appropriation asked for
faOre land. With laws on our statute
looks prohibiting renewal OF contracts
Tor prison labor II seems wise for the
legislature 20 grasp every favorable
opportunity presented TO provide state
account work for the prisoners
The prison labor earnings, accord
i1g to the report. exceeds $133, 900, the
;Argext ON record, while In addition TO
TINS sum received by the state. the
prisoners have received s2I.3l7 So for
uYertime work and faithful attention
Is duty.
The board reports that dicipIine has
been maintained with firm, but kindly
hand and that no outbreak has occur
ca such m has characterized, several
prisoners during the past year. -'"Fhe
governor and board or control have
stood firmly and MISUNDERSTANDING
the warden In maintaining rigid dicip-
La and tn Ionia administration has
refused to be stampeded by the new
brand OF more pie, less work and no
paddle' penoIOgy which has had SEN
katIonai and demoralizing outbreak In
certain quarters during the past four
years,g says Warden Fuller.
The Ionia administration" says
Warden Fuller, recognizes the fact
that prisons are built to correct the
lad habits. bad impulses, bad health,
idIeness, dfunkenness and Ignorance
4hich cause men to drift into crime.
hut Il does not hope 70. reach such
results through wooden gum parades.
gymnasium exercises, course dinners,
daily vaudeville shows and ldleness.
N other, -Werds@iIs does not aim to-
make prison life pine glad sweet yong. \
IT does believe that every prisoner
should be required to do reasonable
dfily task, 70 do the work as well az
Il u done in an outside factory, and
70 40 the kind Of work that the out
r 4 Z