The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-06

work hard and honestly, that is he
must put in full 91a hour day and
his earnings are rated according to
the same schedule as would be the
case if he were at liberty. This does
not mean that any of his earnings GO
the government and goes against mis-
keep. His only reward is in privi-
leges and good time.
No Physical Punishment.
Contrary to the common belief,
there are no physical punishments or
the isolation cells. There are three
classes of suits worn, two of which
are for punishment. The ordinary
prison uniform is a plain blue with
the number in small letters on the
back between the shoulders. This is
said to be for laundry Identification
as much as for calling the prisoner.
No guard is permitted to call man
by name All tractable we'll behaved
convicts wear the blue suit When
there are infractions upon the rules
which require more attention than
deprivation of some privilege then the
man is required to wear for a time
the second class suit, which is a
striped affair. Very serious INSIDE
meanors call for the donning of the
third class suit, which is a dreadful
red and is considered mark of dis
grace among the men themselves.
This red suit is worked off by good
behavior very speedily as a rule.
When a prisoner refuses to work,
he is placed in an isolation cell, which
is large, light and airy, but perfectly
isolated He is given a pile of rock
and hammer and ordered to break
so many buckets of rock. Following
the rule laid down for the jamestown
colony by its famous leader, Captain
John Smith, who ordained that those
who did not work should not eat, no
man in the isolation cell gets any
thing to eat until he has complied
with his orders and cracked up the
required number of buckets of stone.
For those who attempt to escape
there is another reminder. A block
of metal is fastened on the left ankle
outside the clothing and this must
be worn a certain number of weeks
or months as the case may be.
When a man is sent to the Leaven-
worth prison his hair is cropped close
ly in order that Identification marks
may be noted, but after the first time
this is not done. The may have the
barber trim his hair in any style he
chooses to wear it.
Parole Works Wonders.
Good behavior and strict obedience
to rules gives a man tobacco, good
time and writing privileges besides
adding to his chances to be released
upon parole when he has served out
gives the men the best opportunity to
show what they can do to rehabilitate
themselves in the world. The appH-
cant for parole must produce a re-
sponsible first friend whose character
is above reproach, who will either give
the man employment himself or else
will secure work for him and also
make himself responsible to the
board of parole of the prison for a
monthly report of the prisoners con-
nv
know whether the man is living up
to the obligations imposed upon him
or not. BY implicitly following the
rules of this board prisoner may,
after having served one-third of his
sentence, be allowed to have his lib
erty and be able to support himself
and his family. Upon being released
on parole the prisoner is provided for
same as in absolute release. He is
given a suit of civilian clothes (oVer-
coat included if in winter), valued at
not over s12, which could not be pur-
chased for that amount since they are
made in the prison, five dollars in
money and transportation to any place
he wishes to go provided the distance
is not greater than to the place of
conviction and also provided the pa
role board consents to his leaving the
state. With employment already Sc
cured by his friend he has every
chance in the world to become a re-
spectacle citizen. Two years after
the expiration of his sentence he may
appeal to the president for restitution
of his civil rights and if his petition
is granted he has the same standing
as he had before he was convicted
Everything in connection with the
management of this prison is of the re-
| formative rather than the punitive
idea
Attendance at chapel is compulsory.
but with the prison band and choir this
is a diversion rather than a forced
duty
The work in the shop is the salvation
of the ignorant for they are taught
some useful trade or at least instructed
in some manner that can be turned to
account to make them self supporting
after they are released. They are