The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-11-26
STATE REFORM school,
SOMETHING ABOUT SAINT
CLOUD INSTITUTION
Place Where Offenders Are
Given An Opportunity To
Make Good

Officials of the Minnesota state re-
formatory at ST. Cloud have just com
pieted their biennial report OF that
institution for the biennial period
ending June 80, 1920. Included in the
report are financial statements and
tables and reports OF heads or depart
ments with their recommendations.
There were at the beginning OF the
biennial period. 420 inmates IN the
reformatory, and at the close OIL tue
cent During the two years enolns
July 81, 1918, the number OF COM
mitments was 4S4, and during me
twenty three months ending June 81,
1920 43S. These figures-comparea
with the largest number ever coniined
in the institution, or 653 on January
&c, 1916, the number on June 81. IsZu
of 413 shows a reduction or 1919 per
cent. In that interval, however the
at times much lower. To what extent
restrictive laws and Industrial condit-
ions affect these figures Is problem
atical. although there Is no question
but what they have influenced them:
and especially in certain counties Oh
the state.
The reports Of the superintendent
of construction and the chief engineer
disclose that a number or important
improvements have been mSde curing
the neriod with a resulting betternient
for the maintenance OF the institution,
and opportunities for the inmates.
The Young men sent to this institution
are in a plastic and formative stage
of mind and respond to amelforauve
Influences. Religious services are held
every Sunday morning, ana blple
classes and special instruction every
Thursday evening. The attendance At
c.,mpulsory, has been very large. Inc
school Of letters includes regular
graded work conducted by the super
intendent OF construction. The course
includes special classes in mecnanicai
drawing and electrical engineering.
The work done has been most credit
able to the inmates and teschers alike.
Special correspondence courses haSe
been conducted in several studies. Inc
Chautaucua circle has continued It's
rood work. Base ball Is the principal
Occupation. Moving pictures shows
and concerts are also conducted Ior
the amusement and instruction or the
inmates. The society for the Friend
less has been responsible for the
pleasant evenings enjoyed by the In
mates in listening to good pubic
sneakers ana slneerS. JEeTo ID WSoh
day military drill. The farm colony,
where some forty men are housed
has proven q grand success. The main
industries OF the institution have con-
tinued.
which has been installed but few
months is showing great possibilities.
The tailoring department and the
stone quarry departments are also
making good progress.
Recommendation have been maze
for APPROXIMATIONS for improvements
and repairs to the water tower ana
mower plant: additional vocational
training equipment; added equipment
to the hospitals; cottages Tor the EN-,
ployes: O new horse barn, additional
storage room for coal, added IRE
fighting equipment, etc.
The report shows that the total
number OF inmates received since the
establishment of the institution In
1889 IL 1850.
The librarians report shows tnat
there 1883 books Of fiction, 1,4Z0
books of non fiction, 1S9 foreign books
and including seventy five Bibles In
the English and foreign languages.
The report Of the farm and garden
department shows that an immense
amount OF agricultural products are.
raised. Livestock was also raised In
large numbers This was also true In
the raising Of poultry etc.