Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1923-10-11
BOARD OF PRISON COMMISSION.
ERS STATEMENT FOR THE
PRESS

r6ctlOn OF IHe oldle IohitonIi"i
Since assuming these duties, we hav
made an earnest study Of the prob
lem. 1t is a great problem and
, very serious one. We have alread
: been able to improve condition
somewhat, we know we will be abb
+ to improve them great deal NOR
as our plans are developed, but Their
are many things which should b.
done, many things which common
humanity demands, which must wal
until legislative sanction for the ex
penditure Of the necessary funds II
received.
| The board believes that persons
sentenced to the prison should be re.
strained for a length of time rea-
sonably appropriate to the offense
committed, and, if at the end OF
that time the prisoned b yhis record
AND actions has shown that he has
reformed and is ready to accept the
duties which devolye upon him as a
member If society instead of merely
enjoying and abusing its privileges,
he should be paroled and eventually
pardoaea. II prisoners do not evil
dence a desire to conform to the
requirements of society, then they
should be retained at the prison I'M
til their reformation is obvious, or
the term for which they are sent
enced has expired. In other words,
for violation of the law, the prison
o. should pay reasonable penalty,
but in his management and control
during his confinement, it Ia the
moral duty Of those charged With
his custody to endeavoF in every way
to effect a reformation,
In accomplishing this purpose, we
believe it is essential that proper
physical and mental examinations be
made and the necessary treatment
given for such physical, mental or
social defects as may appeari that
prisoners is properly clothed, and be
furnished with wholesome food in
proper quantities.; that they be given
to do 70 occupy both mind
md body, and that means for health
ul recreation be provided; that they
'e given reasonable opportunity for
hat first offenders, persons of |
ender years, and those prisoners
Who have elideneed change of
Ieart, be kept segregated from habi-
ual criminals; that all inmates be
with decent, sanitary cells
n which to sleep.
The idaho Penitentiary is lacking
n many of the essentials named
bove. The prisoners are decentiy
lothed and well fed, and reasonable
pportunity is given for physical and
1ental recreation. Outside Of a
ew odd jobs, and work necessary
round the prison, the inmates have
'ent their time in complete idle
ess. A library Is provided, but {
Iere il 10 systematic plan Of edu- I
Ition. The prison is overcrowded c
'yond the danger point. with but n
70 cells the Warden has been re- 9
tired to take care Of approximate I
300 prisoners. The cell equipment e
of an Anticipated kind, MUCH Of 1t Il
ting back to territorial days. Dur D.
3 the time the men are locked up, is
Is necessary to put two men in m
cell. With no running water tn
d no toilet facilities the bucket Is
TEN Of removing excreta must be m
ID, and this obviously unsanitary Tn
thod cannot be discontinued until ne
ney is appropriated for new mod ma
cell equipment.
! shoe shop is operating where an s
rage Of fifteen prisoners are en- CO
yed portion of the time. A few TN
sites are used in raising turkeys, De
ing care of the stock, operating un
penitentiary farm and other all
cts of land which have been placed no
the disposal Of the prison. me
This board is doing what 1t can tel
improve conditions. We have in wi
surated a system of physical ex- phi
nations of all new prisoners. and sh
rapidly as possible this examina tir
n is being extended to all the in TIL
tes. The mental examinations
follow as soop as possible, but to
must necessarily wait until pu
ney is available for that purpose. as
III medical and surgical treatment pr
given as these examinations show tn
be necessary. We have construct op
factory for the manufacture of in'
rk shirts which will give employ 30
mt to all inmates Of the penitea- ful
~ who are not engaged in such wi
les connected with the manage
Mt and maintenance OF the insti-
ion as can be performed by mu
'oners. We have entered into
tract with responsible shirt COM Ey
~ under which they will furnish