The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-12

world at large. In other instances
where prisoners are employed at
work, the knowledge of which might
be of benefit to them upon their re-
lease, they are kept upon one ma
chine or one part in order that those
in charge can maintain maximum
output and not be compelled to in
struct new men. Under such a sys-
tenn the prisoner is, at most, only
partially skilled in the work, and
this knowledge is of no material
benefit.
Some States, notably Massachu-
sets, New York and Ohio, have
solved the problem of keeping their
prisoners at work at small profit,
and yet not materially competing
with free labor in the open market.
This is accomplished by manufactur-
ing goods for the States own use.
The prisoners are given small sum
for their labor, the same aiding
them greatly In tiding over the in
term between the time they leave
prison and the time when they Sc
cure work. Some other States oper-
ate extensive farms and, after using
all the produce necessary for their
own consumption, they dispose Of
the balance in the open market.
The Department of Justice, having
at present in course of construction
two immense prisons, utilizes most
of it's prison labor in the construe-
ton of it's new prison buildings.
Within the walls, at Atlanta, there
is a well-equipped carpenter shop
and planning mill, operated by prison
labor; machine shop and black
smith shop where prisoners work on
grille and structural iron work; and
an immense stone-cutting establish
ment where all the Stone Mountain
granite for the new buildings is
shaped and cut by unskilled prison
labor. Other details of prisoners
work at brick-laying, stone setting,
structural iron work, painting, and
concrete work, under competent
civilian foremen. In addition to the
actual construction work, there is
considerable grading, and farm Of
about eighty-fve acres under Guilt
walton, which offers employment to
some of the Governments wards
who are experienced in the work.
Within the present buildings are
maintained, in addition to a we'll
equipped kitchen. a bake-shop, an
ice plant, laundry, shoe shop,
tailor shop, school, hospital, orches-
ira, printing shop, and powerhouse,
all operated by the labor of the pris-
oners. There is hardly an Office in
the institution that does not utilize
the prisoner in some capacity, but
nowhere is there a rock pile, as per
the cartoons. Thus has the Gov
eminent solved, for the present, it's
problem of what to do with it's pris-
on labor. AS to how the labor will
be utilized when the last stone has
been set, the last brick laid, and the
last nail driven, remains to be set
tied. 1t is earnestly hoped that the
Government will arrive at a salts
factory solution of the problem
when the time arrives.
Perhaps satisfactory solution of
the problem could be found by pro-
viding for the manufacture of goods
for the various public institutions.
Under this system prisoners could,
and most certainly should, receive
some compensation for their labor,
the amount paid being consistent
with the character of the work per
formed The net amount thus
earned by the prisoner, after deduct
ing the cost of maintenance, could
be paid TO those dependent upon
him, or, in cases where there are no
danondonte oroditod IN him on tho