The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-01-23
WISCONSIN, MAKES
GREAT PROGRESS
Extend Prison Industries Which
Will Not Compete With Or
ganized Labor.

MADISON, Wis, Jan. 22.-Wisconsin
is making great progress in the treat
ment of inmates of it's state institu-
lions and is planning many more ad-
vances if the approval of the legisla-
ture can be secured.
These facts are shown in the bien-
NAL report Of the state board of con-
troll which was sent to the governor
yesterday.
Especially is this statement true of
inmates of penal institutions. During
the last two years there have been a
great many advancements. and others
are recommended.
These Moves Successful.
Those in effect now and which have
proved eminently successful are:
Employment Of prisoners on high
ways.
Construction and operation of the
efficient and profitable binder Irvine
plant in the state prison.
Teaching of useful occupations in
penal institutions.
Successful administrations Of a pro-
baton law.
Paroling Of prisoners with a maxi
mum success.
What is Needed.
For the coming two years the board
suggests to the legislature that it
make further provisions as follows for
the prisoners:
Extension of the outdoor summer
work to include IS per cent Of the
convicts.
Extension Of prison Industries to in
clude many products which will not
compete with organized labor, and
which will in large part be used with
in the institutions.
Investigation and probable ending
Of the present system of contract la
Dor for convicts.
Greater use of binder Irvine plant in
winter months, to take care Of prison
ers who will work out Of doors in the
summer.
Rebuilding of interiors Of two cell
houses in Waupun. now in insanitary
condition.
About Honor System.
OF the further extension Of the
honor system. the board in it's report
says:
Convict highway work has proved
successful and it is the recommends
| ton Of the board of control that Leg
| islation be provided which shall per-
! nit the entering into of contracts by
! the board of control and any munich
| pality Of the state for employment of
| conv1cts on highways under such con-
ditions and terms as to the board of
control shall seem fit and proper, hav-
ing in mind the best welfare of the
prisoner and providing further that it
be without expense to the state.
| We at this time recommend that
! the good time law for good behavior
be amended to provide that the honor
convicts. in addition to the good. time
now allowed them for good behavior,
be granted a reduction of one third
off during the time they may be re-
leased ON their honor"
/ Up to Legislature.
OF contract labor the board says:
ct is for the legislature to deter
mine what the policy Of the state
shall be. With the deciding increase
! in prison population 1t is questionable
! whether any steps should be taken to
abolish the contract labor system at
| this time.
1T ought not to be abolished until
some means of employment is fur
:, ished. We think it is advisable to ap-
propriate an amount similar to that
appropriated two years ago to be used
in the establishment of industries
which in the opinion of the board of
control, with the approval of the gov
ernor, will be suitable for prison en-
ployment and at the same time not
seriously interfere with free labor nor
compete too strenuously- with Wiscon-
sin made goods"
! Irvine Plant Pays.
OF the binder Irvine plant the board
says in part:
Looking at the matter from the
worst possible standpoint, in &c
months operation we have, been able
to make market, sell Irvine at a. rea~
sonable figure and considerably below
} the cost of Irvine manufactured by
private manufactures, make pei
cent on the money used. pay to the
prisoners as prisoners wage
S5,SS9.17 and more than come out
even."
VERY STEADY.
II