The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-05
REFORM IN
PRISON SYSTEM

Columbia, Jan. 3.--The governing
body or the state penitcntiary should
De appointive, By the governor, re-
moved entirely from politics, and
there should be a separate prison for
women. These and other constructive
criticisms are contained in n report
by the state welfare board. made
public today, Of ITS recent inspection
Of the state penitentiary
At present the superintendent and
Also the board Of directors Of the state
prison are elected by the general as
scmbly. .If they were appointed by
the governor and the superintendent
by the board. control would be To-
calizcd ana the pcnitcntiary placed
IN the hands of men selected more
because Of their administrative abil-
ily than because Of their PERSONAL
influence" says the report
There are now thirty-siX women in
the penitc ntiary, three of them white
They are quartercd in "a veri;a be
iirc-trap, just above n supply room.
where combuS,ible articles are stor-
ed says the report. y door without
workable lock is the only separa-
supervised by men, because Il suitable
matron cannot be found, who will ''cn-
dure the present living conditions"
1t is urgently recommended that Il
new prison outside the pcnitentiary
walls, preferably upon state lands, be
built, preferably upon state lands not
now in USE" says the repOr.
The welfare board L.'gcl repairs 10
plumbing in the prison dormitories,
and refers TO the bathing facilities as
rather antiquatcd." 1t urges organ
lied recreation for the prisoners and
reports that recreation facilities at
the prison are now limited.
The food served the prisoners is
good. the board reports. AS typi-
cal dinner it reports the following
Irish potatoes, fried bacon, corn
bread, hominy and syrup. A more
varied menu is served in the prison
hospital.
The penitcntiary should be equip
ped for greater education work for
its prisoners, the welfare board urges.
The state can do much toward pre-
vomiting repeaters,' by giving the il
ltcrates and induStrially unframed
the opportunity 10 become educated
and useful citizens" il says The only
educational opportunities arc offered
the prisoners now, except those fur
niShcd by the illiteracy commission.
The young men, serving sentences Of
from one to five years should be
taught 10 read and write and such
trades rs brick laying, carpentry auto
repairing, and the like, says the re-
port OF the board
y store for the inmates is suggest
cd.
The bonus system in the chair fac
tory at the penitentiary is highly
commended by the welfare board,
aiding in discipline and increasing the
output. The bonus, paid to those who
do good work, is from 3 TO . cents a
day.
The board suggests that pay for
prisoners be p;id To the families of
the men incarcaratcd.
The report Of the welfare booard
pays compliment To administration
OF superintendent A. *. Sanders. 1T
has been marked by humane treat
mcnt of the prisoners" the report
says. The attitude Of most of the
employees toward the inmates is excel
lent" The rule Of silence ut the
pcnitCntiary has been abolished, eX-
ccpt when the prisoners are at work.
Tho welfare board recommends that
the state make more use of the state
farms, taking the position that the
open air does more TO aid in reform
ing prisoner than do dark walls
The main penitentlary plan, should
he used AZ receiving station and az
a place for short termerS," and
where young men could be given
training
The board also recommends that
should be made for the
families of prisoners. 50 that the
mother can keep her family together
and "prevcnt her children FROM
SroWing into potential criminals"
The board also recommends that "A
field agent be employed. 10 follow up
prisoners who have been discharged,
with a view TO getting former in
mates started on the road to honest
scif-Support."
The whole institution should bc
looked upon moro and more as a
training school for good and useful
living says The welfare board in
concluding it's recommendations