The Detroit times., 1912-12-05
PRISON FARM PROJECT Is
LAUNCHED BY DETROITERS
Local Philanthropists Map Out
Plan at Dinner in Pont-
chartrain
STATE TO BE ASKED TO
PROVIDE 500 ACRES
Planned to Experiment First
With Minor Offenders-Tracy
McGregor Explains Scheme

A comprehensive plan for tle estab-
llshment in Michigan OF large prison
farm for the regeneration of .rainals
las launched in a meeting oil about 90
az Detroits prominent reformers, min
listers aud philanthropists at luncheon
in the Pontchartrain hotel, Thursday
noon.
Il was decided 10 have int HduceC
in the legislature bin TO create a
prison farm OF 500 acres or NOR. with
PROVISION for medical treatment OF
chronic inebriates who get mo rison.
Senator James A. Murtha was invit
ed to dine with the group and - ha ;
agreed 10 Introduce the bill AID work
for its passage. tentative plan TO-
an organization of Detroiters interest
I'd In the movement was also Sgree {,
upon. The purpose Of the G"etins
was 10 enlist the active COL ration
Of the participants in the plan which
was explained TO The Times - Trac1
McGregor, AT whose suggestion tho
meeting was held
THE plan is not new in is cou-t-
try, but II is new Sc far as di"higan
Is concerned said Mr., McGregor
The plan is in operation In tht prov
ince of Ontario Washington. y. c !,
also has prison farm, and Irdsana Is
now investigating the proposition.
"Our idea is that the sta.e shour'
set aside 500 acres or more fr thi :
purpose Two thousand acres wouli
rot be too much for the efcTpris
Buildings, or ordinary common Ghacks
would be erected on the farm. where
IN the prisoners might lodge Ii x
CIR plan 10 have those guilty Ct only
minor otfenses sent to the farm, 4,
lrst. The men We would care fo.'
there are OF the kind which re nos
kept in our workhouse. They are not
OF the type which would escape RI the
first opportunity, so that regular pris-
on would not be necessary - restrain
them. Ordinary shacks would be sun
tient. The men in measure woulS
be put on their honor.
Our workhouse Is very excellent
institution Of its kind and the only
one in the state. IL recently had 500
prisoners. The theory of the prison
farm is that these men, whose physi-
cal well-being must be considered as
all-important In their uplift, would
stand a better chance IL they were TO
get out OF doors. inhaling the fresh
air, digging in the soil, than they
would II kept confined within the
walls of prison Some OF the pris-
oners confined i'm the workhouse are
chronic inebriates They are there
largely because their health is shat
tered and they cannot withstand the
craving for drink. The salvation OF
these men depencs on the state TAX
ing steps to BALD up their health
giving them chance 10 reform by
simple, natural means. Many of them
would learn independent yocations on
the farm. and each would be given
work suited TO his means.
This would be our plan to start.
don't know that IL VIII be necessary
for the state To buy lands. II prob
ably has a great deal OF land now
which II might convert into q prison
farm. II may want some or these
lands reclaimed, and the men could
be used TO assist in this work. Jack
son already has a farm for working
some OF its prisoners. Our idea is TO
begin with the minor offenders, and.
II II Is successful, extend the system
A recent report stated that there are
1900 persons serving time in the jails
OF the state. This does not include
those confined in the Detroit work
house, or I'm Jackson or Marquette
prisons"