Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-02-02
BASEBALL PARK FOR
COLORADO CONV|CTS
Progressive Warden Plans to Furnish
More Adequate Amusement for
Those Not in Trusty Glass.
MUST BUILD MAN UP
PHYSICALLY TO HELP MORALS
Finds From Experience Work of BE.
forming Sttae's Wards Best When
Man Is Stronger.
UNITED PRESS LEASED w1RE.l

Canyon City, Colo, Feb. 2.-Having
proved that penitentiary convicts can
be put upon theeir honor and sent out
side the prison walls without guards to
do road construction work, Thomas Ty-
nan, progressive warden of the Colora-
do penitentiary, proposes to go a step
farther and build an amusement park
for the prisoners. This plan is pro-
posed to furnish more adequate outdoor
amusement for convicts who are not in
the +" "trusty" class, and have not gained
the privileges accorded prisoners who
work in the road camps In an exclu-
sive statement today, Warden lyman
discussed the plan as follows:
"While 'all trusty' prisoners have
plenty of outdoor exercise in the way
of sports, we have never been able
heretofore to take care, in the same
way, of prisoners not considered trust
worthy I have decided to create an
outdoor amusement park for this class
Of men. We are now constructing a
wall about a six-acre enclosure back
of the prison where such men can play
baseball or indulge in other sports dur
ing their leisure hours.
''Of course, we have in the prison
chapel the regular motion picture shows
yet there are great many men, who
are employed in cell houses, prison
shops, boiler room, ETC., who do not get
enough exercise.
''It has long been my theory, and I
think it has proved correct, from the
experience we have had with men in
our road camps, that it is hard to build
up man morally or to strengthen his
character, without first building him up
physically. We purchased all Of the
buildings Of the Fremont County Fair
association, and are placing a grand
stand in this enclosure for the use of
the prisoners There will be an opening
to this enclosure to what is known as
the south gate of the prison, which
opens onto the street, and one portion
Of the grandstand can be used by the
public to see baseball games or other
athletic amusements participated in by
the prisoners.
"The main feature will be that men
after completing their tasks for the
day, will be allowed to go into the park
for such exercise as will do them the
most good. Each prisoner in the insti
tuition will be provided with an honoi
button, and will be allowed to have ac
cess to the park during his leisure
hours so long as his behavior is what i
should be. Should he violate any o.
the rules of the institution, he will b,
deprived of his button, and will no
have access to the park.
''We found when we installed tn
motion picture apparatus at the insti
tuition, that it helped us to keep bette
discipline, for the reason that men VIII
violated the rules were excluded fror
the picture exhibition for all the wa
from three to six months. / feel that
with the park in operation, it will no
only add to the efficiency Of the wor
of the men, but it will have tendenc
to reduce violations Of the prison rule
"Of course our men in the roa
gangs are well provided for in tn
way, aud they constitute half of or
prison population, but have felt IN