The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-04-13
NOTABLE REFORM
IN FEDERAL PRISON
LIFE FOR PRISONERS is MUCH
BRIGHTER WHEN LEAVING
ATLANTA PENITENTIARY.

Out of the gray-walled prisons, a
shoddy, tell-tale suit, in one pocket
the governments contribution to the
future in the form Of a $40 bill.
This was the picture, daily repeated,
of the average convict who left a
federal prison-left it (as he 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 a
prison-made suit. But instead of the
single $40 bill he may have many
$1OO bills, a well-paying vocation, and
unless he is a habitual criminal the
crouch is left behind with the prison
uniform.
This picture can be seen at Atlanta.
Shortly it will be typical of other
federal prisons, report to Attorney
General Daughtery shows.
Here is a concrete example OF the
fruits of the reform in Atlanta, Gull
ed from the report to the attorney
general: Last year $50 prisoners
made $45,0O0, which will be held for
them until they receive the accrued
interest as we'll.
These prisoners ere working under
the bonus system. They have an in
centive both to learn q trade and
learn it so we'll they can produce
proftably. Those who earned the
S45,OOO are employed in duck max
ing. Here is the story of these men
as told by DR.. Hubert Vctaw, broth
er-in-law of President Harding:
"The federal government establish
ed in connection with the United
States penitentiary at Atlanta, Geor-
gia, a cotton duck mill for the man.
ufacture of canvas for use by various
government departments. No prod
ucts of this mill are sold i'll 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 employing federal
prisoners has the approval OF lead
ing labor leaders.
"In the early days of the mill so
few orders were received that only
a small proportion of the looms could
be run. In March, 1921, orders be-
gan coming in such volume as to
warrant the operation cf about 300
looms, and the employment OF about
$50 prisoners. Two miller: yards Of
canvas duck have been produced in
this time. This product has been
tested by the bureau of standards,
and in every instance has exceeded
specifications. During this period the
mill has been operated 1T a profit OF
S1SO,OO0, which represents q saving
to the government in just that amount
over what it would nave cost to pur-
chase the canvas in the outside mar
ket.
"The law providing for the cstab-
ishment of the duck mill also pro-
vided that the attorney general should
promulgate rules and regulations for
the compensation of the prisoner en-
ployees thereof. On April &c, 1921,
the attorney general ordered that a
bonus of cents per yard upon the
output Of the mill be paid such pris-
oner employees. There has so far
been earned as bonus by prisoner en-
ployees upward of S45,000.
drawing from the experience in
the operation Of the one industrial
enterprise now being conducted at
the Atlanta penitentiary, the bene-
fits and advantages which will be
derived when similar employment is
furnished for all the federal prison
ers in each of the three penitentiaries
has been clearly shown. At the pres
ent time there is under consideration
in congress bill to provide a COM
to recommend the installation
of suitable industries at the Leaven-
worth and MiNeil Island penitentiary.
"The department might particular
ly feel proud of the moral and edu-
cational advantages which have ac-
crued to the prisoners es result
of these accomplishments, especially
with regard to the duck mill at the
Atla9H penitentiary."
D nation for Citadel Hospital.