Arizona republican., 1920-01-12
KANGAROO COURT. MAKES THE MEN. BEHAVE IN JAIL
And Guests Of Maricopa County Run Their Jail In Strictly Lawful And Cor rect Manner

Appreciating private law unto themselves and glad to keep it, how ever much at odds they may be with the laws of the land and however much they may be inclined to break all of the regular laws, the prisoners at
 Maricopa county jail maintain a thriv- ing kangaroo court by which they keep up a more perfect union, estab- fish justice, insure domestic tranquil ity provide for the common defense,
 cure some -of the blessings of liberty. Their kangaroo court, one of the many that hold the jails of the land in
 a common bond. has its laws and its
 punishments. and it Is administered
 by judge sheriff, clerk. deputies. and other officers. The Maricopa Jail is so large it maintains two separate and distinct courts, each with it's own set of officers.
 Under it's protection a prisoner who is entertaining women visitors need fear no embarrassment because of any body's bad manners; the court sees that no swearing or profane language is used while the women are present. Fond as men are of expectorating, the prisoners realize that a jail is no place for such a pastime, and they accord
 ingly assess any inmate two-bits as
 bit, and 30 cents for the second one.
 Make the Prisoners, Bathe, Too
 Cooties are not wanted. and though baths may be highly unpleasant and even eliminate according to the views of some. the prisoners have ordained baths and lots of em, and they are always glad to assist anyone who does not know how. The rules of the kan garoo court require every new guest to scrub within 12 hours of arriving. and thereafter to bathe at least twice weekly. Shaving, at reasonable inter- vals. is another requirement., the by laws providing that boards are taboo.
 Although it is generally supposed that prisoners are quite unwilling to go to jail, the court fines them five dollars for breaking in. if they have it otherwise they can mop up the floors for 20 days.
 Prisoners suffering with contagious diseases are segregated by the court. 1 even to the extent of being provided and in various other ways the prison CTS look after their own welfare at whatever place the state leaves off.
 Deputy Sheriff D. Paul Jones took a l Republican staff man to call on the 1 court yesterday. introducing him to the | judge and other dignitaries, and ex- plaining the modus operandi. The | prisoners were glad to have their own | government explained to the public. | but all were reticent about having their l reason the names of the judges and | other political lights of the two courts l must be withheld
 Fines Provide the Treats
 With the money taken by the court | for fines, and subsequently, divided in | once a week, the prisoners are allowed ! to purchase pies or such other food a s 1 they require. the jailers showing them i every consideration that the law per- 1 mits; The court officers preside over 1 the distribution of the regular jail fare | which is furnished by the county at l p cents a meal.
 Yesterdays dinner included boiled i beef with dressing. boiled potatoes, i bread, coffee and cold slaw in large amounts. Fruit is furnished occasion ally, and turkey or chicken appears on holidays and special occasions. No | apologies are made by the county off, cials for the inadequacy of the jail and the shocking sanitary conditions that prevail. or for the fact that little or no sunshine ever reaches inside, but the sheriff and his deputies claim that they do everything for the prisoners that they can.
 The kangaroo court has been in operation for more than a year and Is to be allowed until it's privileges are abused. Tn some jails the courts have been closed down because the prison FITS proved to be- incapable of self II government. but the kangaroos Of Maricopa county are said to be doing line.
 Rules of the Court
 The courts rules and regulations 'ollow:
 Officers-The officers of this court Ire judge, prosecuting attorney, clerk sheriff and two deputies who shall ilso compose the sanitary commission, ail manager and court interpreter.
 Method-The method for choosing officers is election by vote of inmates, If the deputy sheriffs and court inter- ,reter are appointed by sheriff.
 Duties-The judge of the court pre- tides at all trials and imposes sen ences on conviction. The clerk keeps ln accurate record of all members and finances and is the custodian of court The said records shall be so hat at the end of each week a state nent of the condition of the court nay be read by the clerk in the pres nce of the court. The sheriff ar aigns all prisoners before the bar, earches all new inmates, serves war ants and executes all orders of the ourt. Also the sheriff and his two egular deputies constitute the sani-