The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-02
JACKSON FAVORS KEEPING
 MEN IN THE MINES

F. M. Jackson. '"rhe interviews recent ly noted in your paper in reference to the conviets are nearly all along the line that they should not be worked in mines but that they should be worked on pub lie roads, Not meaning to be unduly critical l cannot help but feel that these ideas are born of a sentimental notion that has no foundation. Dealing with convicts must be on a practical basis Men who are in prison are there or are supposed to be there, because of the vio- lation of laws that were made for the protection of society If they have vio- lated these laws they ought to be pun ished, and such punishment should, of course, be administered With a view or bettering their moral conditions, as well as keeping them in the best physical con dition and fitting them, if possible, when their times are out for some useful em- ployment, At the end of their oonflne- ment they have learned in the mines trade that fits them to earn $50 to $50 and sometimes more per month, a better living than they could make on a farm or at most any other occupation
 Long time men. that is. those who are in prison for two years or more, could find no better place for helpful employ ment than in some well regulated coal mine. They can be better guarded, bet ter housed, and their work is safe and cleaner than perhaps in any other voca- tion. Provision should be made to give them plenty of sunlight when they are out of the mines. and sufficient rest days to relieve any possible monotony of work ing conditions.
 All other convicts. including county men, should have employment either on a county or a state farm, producing such stuff as would be marketable, thereby making the farm self sustaining.
 ''In no case ought they to be put on the roads. In the first place. they canno, be made comfortable. They cannot have perfect sanitary conditions. They would be an eyesore to the public. Their up- keep will be more expensive than the returns for their work. It would be hurtful to society, because people would become hardened at seeing convicts and camps on tn roadside and by no means should they be put on the road. There are those who argue in favor of this, and from their viewpoint they seem to see clearly, but to my mind there is no com mon sense or good judgment in the prop osition.
 'The state should not profit by the la bor of the convicts. All money over and above the necessary amount to pay court costs expense of their confinement and up-keep. should be distributed amons their families by a board or a commis- sion, for school purposes and living ex- penses It should be prorated in keepins with the earnings of the individual pris- oners. In all places of confinement spe- cial attention should be given to the moral training of the convicts.
 "A well regulated system on the above basis is the proper solution of our con- vict question, and when good people dis cuss this important matter they ought not to be misled by sentimental notions. Those who violate the law ought to be punished and their punishment ought to be in keeping with the crimes commit, ted
 "On the basis of the above there coufd be a great deal said. These suggestions are given by me after having had a practical Knowledge of the working of prisoners in mines, and seeing them in confinement under other conditions