The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1916-07-14

the reorganization or management IN
accordance with modern ideas of pen
ology was under way. During the last
six years many charges have taken place
that have changed Michigan state prison
in the front rank of prison reform me-
thods, and today the institution has the
distinction of having more varied indust-
ries than any other prison in the United
States or in the world.
The industrial transformations that
have taken place under the present
management, resulted in making the
prison selfsupporting, though, thou.
sands of dollars were appropriated by
the state, since it has been self support
ing for the purchase of farm lands and
the new dormitory soon to be completed,
at the same time the institution was able
to show a good balance over and above
running expenses, 100000 being required
annually for maintenance purposes pre-.
vious to the new order OF things.
One of the first changes made was the
doing away with the contract system Of
labor in favor OF the state account plan.
Under the old system convict labor was
contracted for by various manufacturers
for stipulated amount of work from
each inmate per day, the state receiving
nominal fee for the work done. The
plan never did prove satisfactory to all
concerned, and was criticized most Of
the time.
Under the new system the state in.
stalled the various Industries and the
materials and products are bought and
sold on the open market. AS result
the institution is in a class by itself,
Where formerly the contractors made
the profits, today the state receives the
margin Of gain.
During the six years that Mr.. Simp.
son has been in charge several thousand
acres of farm lands have been added to
what was known as the "prson gardens"
which consisted of about forty acres of
land on Cooper street, just outside the
prison walls. As a result Of the large
acreage of land, the canning industry
came into existence and today is consid-
cred one OF the larger of the factories
Also the farm land made the brick and
tile industry possible, because much
good clay for this purpose was located
on the farms. Machinery and dry kilns
were installed, the business hourished
and today it ranks among the first Of the
prison Industries Plans are now under
way for the making of paving brick along
with the other products from this plant
as great quantities of suitable clay have
been located on the lands acquired.
Thousands Of dollars worth of canned
peas, beans, beets and other vegetables
es aud cherries, are shipped annually
from The canning factory. Everything 10
this line is raised on the farms, as are
also cattle and poultry-more than
enough for the daily consumption in the
dining room, a net profit of about SI4,-
900 was realized this spring on the sale
of lao steers on the Chicago market.
Other smaller industries that hinge on
the larger factories were started and are
10 full working order. improvements
all around have been made, and plans
are under way for more extensive worB
along some of the lines.
The new dormitory soon to be com.
pleted at cost Of about $4,000, will
house about 400 men. Present plans
are to quarter eight men 10 each roam,
furnishing each room with shower bath,
reading table and other necessities.
This Is about the latest thing in prison
reform. The men who conduct them
selves properly will be eligible for lodg.
lngs in this building.
This year the prison will ask for moth
ing from the state in the way of appro-
priations or funds for maintenance pur-
poses. The farm lands are paid for, the
dormitory is about finished, and the
earnings Of the institution will take care
of the rest of the liabilities. After all
outstanding debts are paid, it is the plan
of officials to increase the wages paid the
men so that more financial aid can be
given the wives and families of those in
confinement.