New-York tribune., 1922-10-09
COnvicts 70 Be
" age Farmers
In Miller Pla1,
New System Of Prison Re-
form Will Enable Them
10 Help Their Families
While Serving Sentences
Also VIII Learn Trades
Modern Machinery and Full
Instruction I'M Program
Endorsed by Labor Heads
ssscsal DssYateh to The rrsoans

~
ALBANY, Oct H.--Wages for convicts
paid to their dependents or nearest
relatives, will be an accomplished fact
when program of prison reform, now
under consideration by Governor
Miller, is placed in operation. The pro-
gram, it was disclosed, has been ap-
proved by Governor Miller, who de-
sires 70 minimize the suffering caused
TO the families of convicted criminals
through lost income.
There Is no reason why an able
bodied man cannot earn a living in a
prison as well as outside Of one.b Cow
ernor Miller said, "even though in a
lesser degree. Under our plan he will,
at any rate, be given an opportunity to
do so.|
The plan contemplates only the mems
departments, but in its final working
out. 1t Is believed, it will prove bene-
fetal also TO the women confined In
state institutions.
How System Is Regulated
The regulations which will govern
the new system OF prison labor will
include:
An eight hour day and Saturday half
holiday the year around.
Safety appliances and rules approved
for factories by the state Department
of Labor.
Modern machinery and systematized
instruction for the convicts in its use
and operation.
Trial periods, which will give the con-
vict certain periods on each stage Of
the particular part of manufacturing
to which he Is assigned, thus prevent
ing specialization in one part and prac-
ticai ignorance OF the rest.
We have consumption, cost, lack Of
production" Governor Miller pointed
out. "By increasing production we
will reduce the cost Of consumption
and at the same time provide an in
come for the family of the inmate and
give him an opportunity for instruc-
tion in an industrial pursuit which he
can follow to advantage later"
Approved by Labor Leaders
The plan, it was disclosed. has been
approved by Hugh Frayne, New York
Grafton of Labor; John Mulholland,
chairman of the prison committee of
the New York State Federation of La
Dor: Fred F. Moran, secretary of the
prison and education committees of the
state federation, and Edward Volz, a
member of the committee, who pledged
their support and cooperation after a
conference with State Superintendent
Of Industries Glynn, at which the de-
tails Of the Governors program were
outlined.
The plan is characterized by prison
officials as the most forward looking
move ever taken in the administration
Of the state institutional system.
.We have the market in our state
for consumption which requires an ex-
penditure Of more than twenty million
dollars year." the Governor explained
"The productive forces of the prisons
will be directed toward this field, with
an idea of selecting those products
which the state can most economically
produce, and at the same time give
the men a systematic training, SO tha,
when they complete their time they
will be prepared to earn living.
Present Facilities Obsolete
Eve have had much idle time in
prisons that may be turned to account
Our facilities for manufacturing have
been obsolete and inadequate, so that
even with the best efforts of the in.
mates their production has been handi.
capped.
Proper machinery, adapted to the
economic potential market, and build.
ings with good light, air and ventila-
tion such as are found in the usual
outside factory are required. With
these the state will save large expendi.
lures, the men will earn while they
learn and their reclamation will be
based on solid working program