The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1913-12-17
Better Conditions Exist AT
Frankfort.


On the evening of November Is, 1913,
Judge A. J. G. Wells, in response TO an
invitation of the Women's Club. of Louis
vile. KY, delivered an address setting
forth some of the things accomplished
during his administration as Warden OF
the Kentucky State Reformatory, since
taking charge February "a, 1918.
The following is brief recapitulation
Of some of the things accomplished and
referred to in said address, and is sub
mitted 70 the public for their considera-
| ton:
Established and maintained in a
healthy and vigorous condition night
school from @ to o'clock. of about 600
volunteer students, Is classes and six
convict teachers, with civilian as super
intendent.
The Warden's Forum on Sunday,
where there is liberty and freedom OF
orderly speech; recitation, song, quota
tions. music. dialogue, reports, lecture
by Warden: all of which result in gen
eral good feeling and understanding.
Frequent entertainments for the pris-
oners and by the prisoners, and OF
character that would easily surprise
those who have not witnessed it.
These three things have largely in
creased the use of the Prison Librery.
Have enlarged chapel to almost double
its original capacity, and otherwise i'm
prove it.
Permit the reading of the daily papers.
Have abolished the lash and the ours
ing and striking of prisoners.
Have reduced all forms of punishment
at least IS per cent, and at the same
time have increased the output of the
shops very materially and given the
prisoners part holiday on Saturdays.
Annihilated the crap games, reduced
serious fighting and sodomy at least rs
per cent. Haven't had serious wound
in five months.
Instituted the Bond System.
Have dissipated that abomnable doc
trine, which was so thoroughly instilled
into the minds of the prisoners to the
effect that prisoner must not tell any
thing; if SO, he must be branded as a
''Snitch," which means Social Ostra-
cism" and more, by the officers and
other prisoners, and instituted the more
wholesome doctrine, that each prisoner
is vitality interested in the good govern
mentof the little city," and that it is his
duty to take whatever risk that is nee
essary to report to the Warden whatever
is material or vital to the good and
proper management. This crusade re-
J lentlessly made has purified the atmos
phere, and its almost as easy for Camel
TO go through a needles eye" than any.
thing TO happen without the Warden
knowing il-in most instances before il
happens. Those who protested dire re-
suits from Switching" as they call
telling the truth, have not witnessed q
fulfilment Of their prsphesy.
Have developed the missionary spirit
to the extent that the stronger help the
weaker; 3hat is TO say, that those who
are skillful enough to complete theil
tasks, as IL, |, 2 and o'clock, help the
others and thereby make 1t possible t.
enjoy the part holiday.
: Have more than quadrupled the at
tendance and interest in church service.
and kindred meetings.
Have reduced the docket of the Prison
Court more than two-thirds, and at tn,
: same time have the best discipline il
the history of the Institution, anG
so admitted by any prisoner and by prac
tically all the officers. And can truth
: fully add, by all, except by less than hal
a dozen, who seem to be so thorough
grounded in the old system as to max
them immune to the better way.
Have renewed nearly every bed in tn
Institution.
Have renewed the locks on some 40
cells, thus putting an end to the prac
tice of prisoners leaving their cells fo
evil practices.
Have segregated and isolated tn
syphilitic and tuberculer.
Have reduced the hospital populatio
from 40 on February rs. to less than on
dozen today.
Have improved the Bakery and tn
bread and the quantity and variety
the food.
Have added to the comfort and hal
piness of the prisoners, which is atteste
by their happy faces. and by the mol
than thousand letters from them o
pressing in no uncertain tones the
highest appreciation.
Have awakened strong patriotic an
moral force in large per cent of u
prison population, which is the stronge
asset in proper prison management.
Have inaugurated system Of dai
written reports from each shop by Il
guards, which covers every phase Of Il
work, and which inquire specifically
to the conduct of the guards and fol
men towards the prisoners.
Have made it clear that no prison
shall be reported or punished simply |
cause he fails to make task, but OF
shall the guard report him il he fails
use diligence in SO doing.
Have improved the Hospital. erect