Putnam patriot., 1914-12-18

Nowadays the sick and especially i the yard on pleasant days for two or ] three hSnrs of exercise. This has help ed raise the health standard of the | prison inmates. And right here re- markable fact may be mentioned tDur- ing the fiscal year at the prison, which ended on September 90, there were only four deaths among the inmafes and every one of these was due to chronic inNaAdism. As the prison has 632 prisoners, it will be seen that tue death rate w,s jess than seven 10 900. If a state or city could show death rate as low As that 1t would be considered d remarkable testimonial to it's health conditions.
 Bat Warden Gamer has extended his reforms to mar 5 smaller details, which might we'll Be overlooked by one less anxious 10 contribute to the bellerment of those in his care. In other days the inmate took bath and
 
 him. When he got them they were clothes some other prisoner had been wearing. Now his clean clothes are ready for him when his bath is over and he wears the same clothes until they are iworn ,out. The clothes are marked with his number and he never has 10 feel that he is wearing some other man $ clothes. The punishment cell was formerly in the basement, but the warden has had it moved upstairs and the punishment aecomplishes just as much, even if it isn't quite so hard to bear.
 Up to two years ago women and children were in the habit Of cutting through the workshops, but this has been stopped. A splendid orchestra of fourteen pieces has been organized at the prison and the men are afforded great deal of pleasure by it, The lpris- on has the largest library 10 be found in any prison of the size lin the eoun try. There are more than 1000 vol umes and the men are permitted 10 draw two books week. They are er- couraged in their reading and are per mitted To subscribe for newspapers and magazines.
 There is not an idle man at the pris- on. Every one has his work 10 do and there are few who would prefer to have il otherwise. Work occupies the mind and that is what these men want and need. The earnings of the prison during the past two years have been the largest in the prisons history, which goes 10 show that the reforms have not interfered with the business efficiency of the institution.
 And Warden Garner is looking far ahead to further improvements. He hopes the incoming Legislature Will see it's way clear to grant an appropu' atien for extending the prison wall, so that there may be yard for recrea- ton. The warden would like 10 see this yard provided, so that the prison ] inmates could have their recreation on Saturday afternoons and holidays. He | says 1t would in no way interfere with ] the discipline, or business of the insil- ! tutinn. The prisoners could furnish ali the necessary labor and all that would be necessary would be the ma Ierial for the wall. IL would not en- i tail great expense and the Legisia- tuFe will be asked 10 make the appro- prialion, the sprison directors having approved Warden Gamers plan.
 Warden Garner says that his prison force equals any prison force he has ever seen and he has seen great many. IL is composed of goed, clean, faithful lot of officers. He says they are all interested in every new reform