Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1937-03-11
Use Of Maryland
Convict Labor
On State Roads
Continued from page ~

N~~~-N~---~-
very exaggeration has accomplished
a lot in making convict labor more
acceptable to the masses.
C. Delano Ames, vice chairman of
the Advisory Committee of the Mary
land Prison Labor Commission, and
chairman of the Governors Com
nittee on Parole, accompanied men,
bers of the first-hand group in an
inspection tour of the Virginia con-
vict road labor system. In an article
in the Baltimore Eveming Sun of
December A, 1886, Mr.. AMES said
1--WE visited typical camp in Fair
fax county adjacent to Maryland
and the District of Columbia). 1t
was camp for the maintenance of
the secondary road system and de-
signed to care for so prisoners.
NEVER, ANYWHERE, EVEN IN
THE BE S T-KEPT HOSPITALS,
HAVE 1 SEEN ANYTHING MORE
IMMACULATE, BARRACKS, MESS
HALL, KITCHEN, EVEN THE La
TRINES WERE SPOTLESS IN
THEIR CLEANLINESS"
Over half of the approximately
$500 State prisoners in Virginia are
employed on the highways and
comparison-we blush with shame
to admit it-of Maryland and Vir-
ginia roads is distinctly uncompli-
mentary to the great Free State.
The Virginia State Highway Com
mission has proven a considerate
employed of penal labor. True, it
has not pampered the prisoners. But
there has been no adverse criticism
of the treatment of prison road
laborers.
The convicts are housed in bar
racks of 25 beds. Stoves are pro-
vided for the inclement months. One
guard is seated on a raised platform
within the barrack, while another
sleeps on cot nearby. Claiming
in Virginia camps is entirely differ
emit from what the uninitiated would
think. A long chain is hooked at its
center-hooked, not fastened at the
end of the building opposite the en-
trance. Its two ends are then
stretched down each side of the bar
rack along the footposts of the beds.
A small chain about 6 feet long is
then Topped through the loose iron
bracelet that is riveted about the
ankle Of each prisoner. Finally, a
ring ON the end of this individual
chain is stepped along the big chain.
While all the men are fastened
(trusties are not chained) the two
loose ends are locked together. The
men are free to move about, to play
games and indulge in conversation.
They simply move up and down the
chain. In case of fire or other emer-
gencies, the big chain is unlocked
and all walk out with the chain.
Prisoners prefer this system of night
lookup to cells.
When at work the men are un-
trammeled. Only the unruly are con-
fined by "step chains" from one ankle
to the other. They can easily walk
but they cannot run. The guards on
duty sit on elevated platforms in
inconspicuously placed. Attempts at
escape have been few.
Mr.. Ames, in his excellent article,
says the meals are good. Convicts
are provided with a substantial
breakfast well above the average and
have their lunches served in thermos
containers when working at a dis
tance from the regular camp.
It costs the State of Virginia
$500 to build a camp for so men.
This camp can be used for at least
10 years, although the policy is to
move camps more often. There are
now over 80 camps in that State.
The prisoners are paid 10 cents each
working day. Five (5) cents is re-
tanned for the day of his release so
as to accumulate a fund for him.
The other five cents is extended to-
ward credit at stores for tobacco
candy, etc.
How do the people of Virginia feel
about it? Ask them. Mr.. Ames
says "when camp is removed from
its site there is invariably a protest"
Indeed, many Southerners say that
free and undisciplined road gangs are
more to be dreaded than prison labor
crews under supervision.
In summing up his report on con-
ditions in Virginia, Mr.. Ames makes
the following pertinent observations;
Virginia gives healthful, physically
upbuilding and stimulating labor. 2,
The men are well-treated without be-
ing spoiled and 'pampered as they are
in some notorious instances in other