The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-24
ORDER PRISON REFORM
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IContinued from Page One.l
rections to The suggestions ard recon-
mendatiOns made by the nOn-partisan
legislative committee which conduct
ed the investigation of the charges
against J. D. BotlIin, recently removed
as warden If the state penitentiary.
This committee sharply censures
. the board for neglect of duty. 1t finds
that much of The trouble ct the prison
was cue to laxity or the part of the
board The committee in its report
points to the duties and obligations of
the board under the law. strongly en-
pha sizing the boards direct response
bility for the mismana cement found
at the prison.
Approves Committee Suggestions.
l think you will aoree with me that
if the suggestions and recommenda-
tons of the committe are carried out.
efficiency and discipline at the state
prison will be greatly improved.
It is my desire that the beard give
closer personal attention to the de-
tails of tTe PRISONS management
than has ever been done by any for
mer board. The penitentiary is per-
haps the states largest business insti-
tuition. To operate it successfully
there must be close, friendly and con-
slant co -ope ration between the war
den and the board. Teamwork be-
tween them is q necessity. The time
has long passed, if it was ever here,
when the duties of the board Of cor
rectiOnS could be performed in a per-
functory manner. 1t is apparent that
the board and the warden must keep
consta ntly in touch with all the details
of the prisons management, the de-
tails Of discipline as well the ietails
of business.
1t will be a big task to bring the
institution out of it's present demora1-
lied chaotic condition. But it must
be done. Strife among officers and
employees must cease. No more ia
voritism must be shown to prisoners.
Feed and clOthe all of them well, treat
them with consideration, but enforce
discipline firmly and humanely.
Apply Civil Service Rules
! In recognizing the forces of Off
GERS and employees. retain the eff
Gent and faithful, regardless of poll
ties. Weed out completely and abso-
lutely the unworthy and inefficient,
the liquor drinkers and the trouble
makers. IL such ar institution, if in
any institution. there can be no tOler-
alton of loafers, boozers. breeders of
discomfort, or of political hangers-on
and miSchief-makerS if good results
are to be attained. We must sweep
cheap policies out of the prison for
ever. In filling vacancies in the force,
the warden and board. aided by the
civil service commission, should now
be able to command and hold men of
first-class ability.
Adopting a rule. as suggested by
the committee. authorizing the war
den to suspend employees for cause
for a limited time but prohibiting
their discharge without a hearing be-
fore the board, in my judgment would
be a wise step
Abolish Temporary Paroles.
The practice of granting temporary
paroles, either by the warden or by
the board, should be abolished. There
never was any law for it 1t is a spe-
cieS of favoritism that is sure to cause
trouble.
Prison work should be reorganized
to get better results More coal should
made. More farm products grown.
The prison during the working hours
should be a hive of industry. There
can be no more wholesome, happier
atmosphere for these men. This
should be supplemented, of course, by
a sufficient amount of daily recreation
to maintain the general health of the
prisoners. Anything: more than this
is needless, hurts discipline and pre-
vents the sound business manag cement
of the institution. And the people of
Kansas who are required to pay the
bills, should be considered as well as
the prisoners.
1t is my desire that the warden and
the board see to it that no officer or
employee has any financial dealings
with prisoners. Also that all officers
and employees, below the warden, be
prohibited by the strictest of rules
from presenting or pressing any pa
role or pardon case before the board,
except when invited to do so by the
board.
Adopt New Business Policies.
A new system of up-to-the- minute
bookkeeping should be intalled,
whereby every dollar of the states
money and all supplies shall be strict
ly accounted for.
The commissary officer should be
required to take a receipt for every
thing he issues.
The mine superintendent should be
cent. Operating expenses on the Rock
Island increased from $40, 5OO,521 in
1914 to s51,S39,255 in 1915, an in
crease of 81 per cent. Rock Island S
net operating revenue for 1915
amounted to S16,696,962; in 1914,