The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-22
CAPPER URGES
new STATELAW
FOR PRISONERS
Would Make Them Work on the
Public Highways.
Writes Letter to Sheriffs and
Mayors in Kansas.
Invites THEIR COOPERATION
Says Criminals Should Not Be
PensiOned in IdIeness.
They Now Come Out Worse
Than They Go In.
Would Make Them Work on the
Public Highways.
Writes Letter to Sheriffs and
Mayors in Kansas.
INVITES THEIR COOPERATION
Says Criminals Should Not Be
PensiOned in IdIeness.
They Now Come Out Worse
Than They Go In.

Governor Capper today urged state
law permitting the working of county
and city prisoners on public highways.
His program was outlined in a letter
to sheriffs and mayors in the larger
towns and counties of the state. The
public should receive some return on
the expense of keeping prisoners and
the men should not be pensioned in
idleness for their crimes, is an argu-
ment advanced by the state executive
At present the state laws are lax
regarding a method of handling pri-
soners in work on highways. Through
a change in the state laws, miles of
good roads might be built and the
public receive some returns from the
expense of keeping men convicted OF
law violations The governor also
urges that a majority of the men
sent to the city and county jails leave
prison worse for their commitment
and prepared for further violations
4 strong state law compelling con-
vIcts to work on streets and roads is
urged in the letter Cooperation is
asked in the enactment of a law to
cover the question Laws similar to
the one urged by the governor have
been enacted in other states. Now, he
declares, it is up TO Kansas to act
Such a measure would benefit both
the cities and counties and the prison.
ers themselves. says the governor.
The Governors Letter.
Prisoners should be taught, for
their own good and for the good of
society, that It is necessary Tor them
TO contribute something Tor their
keep, says the governor. In MS let
ter 10 snerlLLs anu may ors, the COVER
nor say
To nIy mind, our present system of
hsI4...-us C-ty anu county PRISONERS rs
enLlreiy TOO expensive. not only to the
pa,44c but 10 the prisoners tins mselves-
Iht pubic is out the money which
it costs to MAINTAIN Sucn prisoners IN
sIothful idleness; the prisoners suffer
because of lack of opportunity for
physical. moral and mental develop
ment- mInologlstS all agree that, as
a rule, city and county prisoners are
worse off in every way when they
leave our prisons than when they en-
ter them. Many of those prisoners
are Migrants from other states who
would rather serve time in jail than
expend their. efforts gainfully- Under
our present system, they are really
penSioned fer svaSrancy. The public
now virtually says to them: on are
Migrants and won't work; therefore
we will put you where you can't work
end where we can pay your board
and lodging while you plan more
crimes to commit
System Is wrong
The system is all wrong Such pris-
oners should be taught, for their own
good and for the good of society that
it is necessary for them to contribute
something for their keep If unwill-
ing to make an honest living as free
American citizens, then they should be
forced under stress of the law to earn
their daily bread by honest toll Fur
thermore, it is a well established tact
that nothing is SO conducive 20 good
health and proper mental, moral and
physical development as labor in the
open air
There should be law which will
require the various cities and counties
to work prisoners on the streets and
roads. AS you know, our present laws
in that respect are very lame. 1t
seems to me it is time Kansas adopted
some sound. sensible method of work
ing prisoners on the highways Sew
eral other states are following such
plan with success The prisoners
themselves would be benefited and
the public would receive some return
for the money expended in enforcing
the laws BY a united effort we might
be able to secure the necessary legis-
lation next winter.
believe you will be interested in
the plan suggested by Judge ]. c. Rup-
penthal in the enclosed clipping.
wish you would write me what you
think of the plan. or suggest a better
one if you can.