The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-11
Are AGREED UPON
Plans for Remode1ing State
Prison 1T Lansing.
Prison Board and Architect
Think They Arc Fine.

Plans for the rebuilding OF the state
penitentiary at Lansing have been
agreed upon and are now being
worked out by Charles Chandler. state
architect. Under the new plans. the
prison board appointed by Governor
Hodges expects to improve the condi-
tons at the prison 100 per cent and
to bring about a saving Of $4,000 n
year in the operation and maints-
nance expense.
The special prison board was in
session in Topeka Friday afternoon
and made its report to Governor
Hodges. Plans OF the board called
for:
Remodeling both of the present cell
houses, retaining only the picturesque
outside walls. Making buildings larg-
er. installing more windows new
floors, entire new cell bloclss with
modern and sanitary cells
Building of two additional cell
houses within the present walls and
the providing for special classes Of
prisoners along the community plan
Of prison management
Enlarging the prison walls to in
crease the acreage within the enclo-
sure from ten to fifteen acres.
A now hospital and . new women's
ward.
Transforming the present women's
building into q ward for the criminal
insane. entirely separated from other
prisoners.
Tearing out Of the present power
plants and the establishment of a sim
gle power plant Of sufficient size to
generate electrical power for all do
mestic and manufacturing purposes
and the use of exhaust steam for heat
ing.
The prison mine will be operated by
its own engines and not by electrical
power. steam being furnished by a
power plant.
Removal Of the stoves and de-
tached heating apparatus in buildings.
Construction OF a new administra-
ton building outside the prison walls
Those were some OF the details of
the meeting OF the board. Detailed
plans will be worked out by State
Architect Chandler and the 1915 leg
islature will be asked to make an APP
preparation to cover these Improve
ments. No estimate as to the prob
able cost of the improvements has
been made.
Included in the report to the legis-
lature will probably be a recommen-
dalton for the abandonment of all the
old machinery at the prison and the
purchase of new equipment. Dean B.
Kansas University, investigated the
old machinery at the penitentiary and
told the board that its use was a pos
tive waste Of energy, a loss of time
and money and added to the danger to
human life and limb.
No junketing trips to other prisons
will be made by the board, 1t was an
nounced. None Of the members ex-
pressed a desire to visit other plants
at the states expense during the sum-
mer vacation period and the plans
adopted are from plans used in the
construction Of the federal prison, at
Leavenworth and other modern penal
institutions.
The board will continue its work
this summer, but no further meet
ings will be held until the state archi-
tect complete his plans. These will be
submitted to the board in few weeks.
Members of the prison board are:
Prof. w. F. Blackmar. Kansas uni
versity: w. H. McC1aughrey, former
warden federal prison at Leavenworth
w. H. Haskell. former warden of the
state penitentiary: ]. L. Porter, a
member Of the board of corrections;
and John r. Mulvane. a Topeka bank
err. The board was appointed by Gov
ernor Hodges several weeks ago, fol-
lowing the filing Of the Blackmar re-
port pointing out the needs of the