The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-03-10
FLORIDA'S PRISON FARM

The Model Prison of the South - is the
description applied to the Bradford Con-
vict Farms of Florida; and after reading
Commissioned McRae's fourteenth bien-
NAL report there are few who would feel
inclined to question the appropriateness of
the designation
Situated twelve miles northwest of
Starke, and traversed by a state-owned
railroad twelve miles long, which is pic
tured in the agreeable occupation of haul
ing an immense load of potatoes to the
packing house, Bradford Farms consist of
1900 acres, 5000 of which are under
fence, and 1900 under plow Irish pota-
toes, earn, cotton, cane, peas, etc, are
raised; likewise, livestock and poultry.
The central plant consists of dormitories,
residences, mechanical shops, six barns,
syrup factory (the daily consumption be-
ing barreD, smoke house which is filled
with hams, shoulder, and bacon; two silos,
barrel factory, implement and tool build
ing-for nothing is left exposed to the
weather, etc.
There were GAL prisoners on Bradford
Farms on January l, over half being
negroes. Of these sixty-hve were women,
al but six being black The officers con-
ssst of the superintendent, physician book
keeper and cashier, captain of the guards,
and ffty-six guards, foreman, etc. The
work day is nine hours long; breakfast at
5; rest from II to 2; knockoff at 6; half
holiday on Saturday. Hygiene is taught
and everybody is required to battle. Sun
day school and divine service feature the
sabbath; cards are not allowed; reading is
| encouraged There is also baseball.
| Whether it is the regular hours, or whether
it is the nourishing food, or whether it is
the absence of dissipation, the health of
the prisoners is said to improve from the
first day there.
1t is a great work in man-mending the
Bradford Farms have been doing since
1913, when they were begun. The change
from swampy wilderness to well-ordered
fields, with graded roads lined by oak mag
nolia, palm, pecan, fruit and ornamental
trees; with a park in course of construc-
ton and buildings where formerly were
stagnant morasses, is typical of the mora
| regeneration.
Visitors who avail themselves of the in
vitation to inspect the Bradford Farms
will not onl witness the best organized
institution of its kind in the south, but
what is more important, they will have {
clearer understanding of the convict prob
lem and man-making. Instead of the dis
tressing or revolving scenes which the
| word Convict" conjures to his mind, he-,
is a smiling country side titled by the or
Derby. industrious and contented 'citizen
ship" There are guards, true; but are
there not policemen on the street corners
Their clothes are striped, but beneath thu
/ stripes are, as Commissioner McRae says
human beings, and that is the quality OF
which the success of the system is bullded
So many can be reclaimed if recourse i
made to gentleness and reason and not t.
fear. The few intractable prisoners are
also shown the error of their ways by
strap which is administered fright wher
they used to get it when boys and usual,
there is no necessity of second dose.
system of correction that treats erring mel
like children can not make mistakes.