Middletown transcript., 1922-08-19
CONVICT LEAVES
CROUCH BEHIND
Life for Prisoners Is Much
Brighter When Leaving At.
Ianta Penitentiary.
NOTABLE REFORMS ARE MADE
Work In Duck Mills 10 Very Advanta-
geous-Eaeh Man Employed There
Learns Trade and Receives
Bonus for Work.

Washington.-Out OF the gray
walled prisons, a shoddy, tel. tale suit,
in one pocket the governments con-
tributiOn to the future In the form OF
a $40 bill. This was the picture, daily
repeated, of the average convict who
left federal prison-left 1t Gas ne
left others) ill-clad, broke, with one
prize possession-a crouch.
But under reforms introduced IN the
big prison at Atlanta the picture has
changed He may come out with q
prison-made suit. But instead OF the
single $40 bill he may have many $luO
, bills, well-payng vocation, and un-
less he is Il habitual criminal the
crouch is left behind with the prison
uniform.
This picture can be seen at Atlanta.
! Shortly 1t will be typical of other fed
i, eral prisons, report to Attorney
] General Daugherty shows.
Here Is concrete example OF the
| fruits Of the reform in Atlanta, culled
from the report to the attorney gen.
eral: Last year $50 prisoners made
| $4,000. which will be held for them
until they are released, at which time
they will receive the accrued interest
as well.
Under Bonus System.
These prisoners are working under
the bonus system. They have an In
centlve both to learn a trade and learn
it so well they can produce profitably
Those who earned the $45, 900 are en-
ployed in duck making. Here Is the
story of these men as told by DR..
Hubert votaw, brother-in-law Of Pres
ident Harding:
"The federal government established
In connection with the United States
penitentiary at Atlanta, Georgia,
cotton duck mill for the manufacture
of canvas for use by various govern
ment departments. No products of
this mill are sold in the open market.
and hence there is no competition with
free labor, and no conflict with the
authorities or the heads Of organized
labor Indeed, this method Of employ
ing federal prisoners has the approval
Of leading labor leaders
"Ip the early days Of the mill 80 few
| OTueTS were ICSclNCu thut ohiy "a S'hoi
proportion Of the looms could be run
In March. 1921, orders began coming II
in such volume as 10 warrant the oper
ation of about 300 looms, and the EN-
ployment of about $50 prisoners. Two
million yards Of canvas duck have beer
produced in this time. This produc
has been tested by the bureau O.
standards, and in every instance ha'
exceeded specifications. During thi
period the mill has been operated n
a profit Of S1sO,OOO, which represents I
saving to the government in just tina
amount over what it would have cos
to purchase the canvas In the Outsid
market
/, Prisoners Earn Money.
E 1.-The law providing for the estab
t lshment of the duck mill also provide
I that the attorney general should pre-
mulgate rules and regulations for tn
j. compensation of the prisoner en-
ployees thereof On April 80, 1921, tn
/ attorney general ordered that bonu
Y Of cents per yard upon the output O
q the mill be paid such prisoner en-
e ployees There has so far been earne
. as bonus. by prisoner employees VI
Q ward of $4,000.
h Drawing from the experience In tn
l. operation of the one industrial entel
e prise now being conducted at the A
d lanta penitentiary, the benefits an
" advantages which will be derived whe
8 similar employment is furnished fl
IS all the federal prisoners in each of til
,r three penitentiaries has been clearl
shown. At the present time there
under consideration In congress bi
t. to provide commission to recommen
IL the installation of suitable industrit
r at the Leavenworth and Mcneil Islam
n, penitentiary.
g 1.-THE department might particular
r. feel proud of the moral and educ
Df tional advantages which have accrue
d, to the prisoners as a result of the.
er accomplishments, especially with r
1t gard to the duck mill at the Allan
as penitentiary."