Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-18
PRISON AT
Y SALTWATER
]: 3: Is PRAISED
M'lliinpgn1es'ota Penitsesntlt1tiiaslry De.
clared Among Best in
World.

st. Paul, Minn.-The Minnesota
nate prison at saltwater is stated by
experts Of the federal government and
from foreign countries to be the
INost modern institution OF its kind in
the world. The old prison was
fp1nded.in 1851 and the present build
ihgsSwere opened in 1912.
The new prison has a value in lands
ard buildings of $2,7S1.035 and in
.lersonal property of $3.43S,5s5. 1t
Sculd not be duplicated today, officials
sAy, at twice its original cost. The
prison has a capacity of 1864. 1t has
1000 acres Of ground, of which S73
acres are under cultivation. 1t has a
population of about 500. not including
are 237 officers and employees.
IT, IL, one Of the few public institu-
tions. in the United States which is
not only self~-sustaining but operated
at a material profit every year This
profit, according to officials, is not
made at III expense of the welfare
of the prisoners who receive in wage
more than 500, 900 a year.
Families Aided. +
It is further h boast OF h state
that no family of a prisoner is in
financial need nor a child deprived OF
education because the family bread
winner is in the state prison. Direct
aid is given to family Of needy prison.
ers In such amount as state 1nvestl-
eating agents find necessary. rms AID
amounts to about $4,000 a year.
Systematic reform in prison lie
and management started in Mime
sofa nan years ago. Contracts for
prison labor were not renewed when
they expired. In 1890 the binding
Irvine industry was established there
and in 1903 the making of farm ma
chinery was begun. AS a result,
armer Of Minnesota are able to buy
Irvine and machinery from the state
at a great saving in price.
Tn rapid order came other reforms
the abolishment of the lock step.
granting Of privileges to prisoners
Commensurate with their conduct,
elimination of the striped uniform.
payment of wages to inmates, grant
ing of allowances, for needy families,
and finally the erection of the mag
nifcent institution.
Education Not Overlooked.
Amusement and entertainment for
the prisoner, as we'll as educational
assistance is not overlooked. The e
urison has an auditorium that would
he a credit to a city of 50, 900 inhabi-
tants. Here are held Chautauqua
meetings. moving pdctures are ex-
hibited once a week. lectures and en-
p LSItdAHulcNIS. 6~
played every Saturday afternoon in
the summer on a field within the
prison walls. Games with outside
teams are not 1nfrequent. All prison
ers who observe the rules are per
fitted to participate in these privi-
leses. A graded school is maintained
under direction of the superintendent
OF schools Of the city of saltwater,
and many prisoners take advanced
cSrpoQn0na0nCe cOilYSp4. .
Since establishment Of the Irvine
and farm machinery industries. more
than Sal. 000, 900 worth of the fin
i4hed product has been sold, resulting
in an estimated saving to the farmers
Of the state of about $10.000,O 900, rec
dfds show.
gsThe high water mark in sales was
reached in 1918, hen $~5,114.90C
worth of twine and machinery was
) sold, mostly to farmers residing iE
Minnesota.
Before prisoners are paroied, posi-
. tons are found for them by state
agents who visit them at various
times thereafter to see how they are
progressing and extend them help and
encouragement. The aim of the
prison, according to authorities in
charge, is not merely to see h a the
mel are punished from infringement
of the law, but to reform them into
good citizens and see that they are
established in industries through
which they may earn an "honest liv.