Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-02-12
THE State BOARD OF CONTROL
BULLETIN NO. 22-STIILWATER
PRISON, LAST WORD IN CON-
STRUCTION- MANAGEMENT
Resume of the Operations Of tho In
stitutions under the State Board of
Control for the Biennial Period End
ing July 81, 1914.


stitutions under the State Board Of
Control for the Biennial Period End
ing July 81, 1914.
The greatest revenue producing pub
lie institution in the world is the Min
nesota State Prison at Saltwater.
This is broad statement, but world
institution and prison records substan-
tiate it.
During the biennial oeriod ending
with 1914 the Saltwater prison through
the medium Of the two industries
which have made it famous-the man
ufacture Of binding twine and farm
machinery-piled up net profit of
$6S7 ,794.l7.
Besides this net profit those in
charge deducted from the gross earn
ings Of the prison, which were in ex-
cess Of $3,500,00O, seventy-five cents
per day per man for current expenses
and support, and twenty-five cents per
day for the benefit Of the inmates.
showing the great strides the two in
dustries are making the gross earn
ings last year were $4l3, 3,167 sc in ex-
cess of the year previous.
While the figure Of nearly $689. 900
in cold dollars and cents represents
the bookkeeping profit, it does not
show the real earnings of the institu-
ton, the hundreds of thousands Of dol
lars saved to the farmers of the state
in their purchases of binding, twine
and farm machinery. Comparison be-
tween what the farmers paid for their
twine and farm machinery before these
industries were established at the
State Prison and the cost to them now
| affords the real profit.
AS an example, the state board Of
control of which the Minnesota prison
and it's industries are it's most exten-
sive charge, has just announced prison
binding twine tariffs for the coming
year. Of the prison output, which ap-
proximated nearly 18,000,000 pounds
last year, standard sisal had the big
gest sale, the call for it aggregating
nearly IS per cent of the whole. The
price quoted for this year is seven
cents per pound, and when it is known
that rival figures will be nearer eight
cents and that the prison output will
be close to 21,OO0,O0O hounds, the saw
ing that will result can be appreciated.
Other grades Of twine have been re-
duced in price one-half to three-quar-
ters of cent pound.
The new Minnesota state prison To-
Gated at Saltwater is the last word in
prison construction and management
ana it's praises have been sounded by
prison experts and heads of correction
4;al~i I'll itutions all over the United
States and the continent.
Systematic reform in prison life and
in srb4
he said to have started with the crea-
! 1901. Contracts for prison labor as
fast as they expired were not renew
ed. In 1890 the binding twine indus
try was established at the prison. A
revolving fund Of $4,000 was sub
scribed by the state and it's growth
has been remarkable. Then in rapid
order came other reforms, the abolish
ment Of the lock stem, the granting of
privileges to the prisoners commensur-
ate with their conduct, the passing of
the striped uniform except in the case
of the particularly vicious, and finally
came the building Of the new prison at
South Saltwater.
This magnificent structure, the pro.
duct of the act Of the legislature of
1909, covers ground space of twenty.
two acres, is admirably located and
embodies in it's construction every
practical requisite for the humane and
sanitary housing Of human beings. The
entire scheme Of management is to up
lift, not brutalize.
The present population of the Still
water prison is about 1,150. The great
ma jority of the prisoners are engaged
in the manufacture of binding twine
and farm machinery. The others do 9
variety Of work connected with the
care Of the building and grounds
kitchen and dining room service an6
the like.
AS showing the activity of the insti
tuition and it's worth to the state tht
prison in 1913 manufactured 1887,
6S5 pounds of twine, netting the state
a profit of $372,354.52. In 1914, 10,
481,41 pounds were turned out at +;
profit Of 1927 ,760.S5, the falling off o,
profit being due to a reduction in tn.
price of the twine to the farmers. ThI
profits from farm machinery in 191;
were $44,227.38, and in 1914, $43,
451.42, with an increased output. Th'
first piece Of farm machinery was put
OuG Ill 1SOC dAu uu41uS Cuc pdSG
years the annual increase has beer
seventy-two per cent. Next ~ear's out
put will ~e 26 per cent greater.
The fact that Minnesota can sci
twine cheaper than it's rivals is due t.
the wisdom of those behind the Law
providing for the industry and tn
wide latitude given the board Of con
troll in the purchase of raw materia
and the conduct of the prison. Will
the profits from the sale Of twine AM
machinery available as revolvin!
fund at all times, the board is enabled
to go into the open market and TAX
advantage Of market conditions. 81
extensive are it's purchases in this lin
that Minnesota is looked upon in tn
!, foreign markets with great regard.
i While the Saltwater institution
makes profit ON the labor C thos
confined within it's walls, it is no
wholly money-makins enterprise
| o..