Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-01-31
FOR 4 new PRISON
UNIVERSITY REPORTS TO
THE GOVERNOR
SAYS STATE SHOULD REBUILD.
The Old Penitentiary a tuberculosis
Incubator and Pneumonia Has a
Large Death List, Says the
SocioIogist-

Large Death List, Says the
SocioIogist-
That the penitentiary at Lansing be
either renovated entirely by rebuild
ing the old structures or that a new
prison be built on ground adjacent to
the present enclosure, are the recon-
mendations made by Dean F. W.
Blackmar of the University of Kansas
in a report to Gov George Hodges.
Dean Blackmar was appointed by
Governor Hodges to make an investi
cation OF the state penitentiary.
Changes in the physical plant and
gested, which Dean BIackmar declares
900 year and would do justice to the
prisoners.
Ought to Rebuild.
I'VE ought to rebuild the present
penitentiary on the present grounds
by renovating or else move to an en-
tirely new district adjacent to the
present structure said Dean Black
mar in the report, Should it seem
wise to build a new penitentiary or
rebuild the old one, nothing should
be done without very thorough and
complete study of the situation, and
the most modern methods of archi-.
tectural construction. There is no
doubt that vast deal could be saved
in this way. New buildings could then
be added as they were needed, each
as a unit in the general plan.
whichever proposition is taken. it
means practically a new physical
plant, for in either case a new tuber-
cular hospital, a new general hospital,
one new cell house and new school
rooms are necessary; and a new OF
improved chapel and dining room, an
improved sewerage system, an i'm
proved mine and power equipment are
desirable
Would Save Money.
Reconstruction of the penitentiary
would mean the following saving to
the state, according to the report:
by putting in modern equipment,
saving the labor of 100 men at an
annual value of $4,000; by new or
remodeled cell houses, saving in care
takers Is men a day, $11,250; saving
on the farm by increasing production
SO as to furnish food supply, 100000.
Suppose it is possible to save $780,
900 per annum or not more than $780,
O00," Dean Blackmar argues, ''the
latter sum would be five per cent on
100000; with prison labor and cheap
power to rebuild and equip modern
penitentiary would not cost to exceed
100000. 1t would take five years to
do this and a comparatively small
appropriation each year"
Dean R1ackmar that the
present situation at Lansing is little
better than it was twenty years ago
and that with all the earnest en-
deavors of officials and boards, the
standards of efficiency and economy
always have been and still are low.
A poor plant for twenty years, and
considering its highest purpose, not
more than half worked is the way
he characterizes present conditions.
Same Old Problems.
While changes and improvements
have been made in the past six years,
the same old problems exist today as
formerly says the report. THE same
earnest endeavor to make wise and
efficient administration under great
difficulties is in evidence today Since
the first report, some improvements in
the physical plant have been made, but
not sufficient to keep up with the de-
terioration of buildings and machin-
cry, and the disaster of the first of
last April has laid a heavy burdeA
upon your excellency, which you have
met in the only rational way posi-
BILE
The recent fire was great ,disas-
ter. To make good the loss, it was
necessary to draw on the Irvine plant
revolving and maintenance fund. 1t
may be necessary to borrow funds to
keep the penitentiary running, as it's
chief earnings at this time of the year
are turned over to the state in the
form of COAL
White Plague Sweeps Prison.
vigorous indictment is made of
present conditions at Lansing in its
relation to tuberculosis among the
prisoners Since 1900, 81 per cent of
the deaths at the penitentiary were
from tuberculosis, and 2e0 prisoners
now have the disease Thirteen per