Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1937-11-11

every move the men make while
they are on exercise. He accompan-
les them when they empty garbage;
he takes them to speak to the cap
tain or the warden. He mothers
them, but he is a cold. harsh, cal
culating mother-and a wise one,
too.
Prisoners think they can fool a
guard. Well, maybe one did fool
him once, but he is not fooled
tricks. he feels the undertone OF
discomfort, If there is one He is
brutal. only when necessary. He is
just, always. He has to be. His job,
perhaps his life depends upon him
being just, but firm. There is no
coddling in this institution. either
of the inmates or of the guards
and employees. All follow hard, fast.
set rules.
! the guards? Well, take the day cap
What are some of the duties OF
tain, for instance. Captain John Nc
Arrison of the morning shift. He
controls the bells which tell the
guards and prisoners what to do.
He rings the waking up bell; the
breakfast bell. He goes into the
kitchen before every meal and locks
up the kitchen and bakery. He
counts every knife before the men
enter the dining room; every utensil
that might be used as a weapon He
| counts every spoon on each table.
There are five men at each table
and two serving spoons to each.
There are over 500 men eating in
Everyone knows that meal times
are the dangerous times in prison.
The men march in at each end of
the room, which is nearly a block
long and so feet wide. They come
In in %platoons, from Cell House No.
2. The captain stands in the center
of the room when this orderly crowd
marches by him. He pushes the bell
to signal them in. They stand at
their tables, 500 men from the most
dangerous strata of American life
-murderers. robbers, thieves, thugs
and just plain unfortunates.
He pushes a bell and 500 folding
seats go down with a clatter. The
TRUSTEES serve them quickly, passing
tho uiff1nc frnp, tobl1 - .Ly- NJ
men eat in absolute silence. Many
carry jars of butter, of peanut but
ter, OF other special foods they are
permitted to purcase. They eat raw
enously, and without a single word
in that whole roomful of men. The
captain stands there watching
There are five other guards sta
toned at strategic places in the
room. only six unarmed guards
among 500 prisoners. Should a riot
break. their chances would be slim
indeed. They are locked in. lust
as the prisoners are locked in.
But see that narrow slot low on
that side? The captain already has
passed his keys into the men in
there. And they are armed with
riot guns, tear gas. A disturbance
here would be terrible for all. The
men are locked in like rats In a
trap. They know it. There has new
er been a riot in this prison.
The meal is over and the men
file out nj %platoons, arms folded
each carrying his spoon and CUP,
Some carry tins with sugar or but
ter In them. These articles must be
kept by the men in their own cells.
But the state of Montana feeds its
prisoners well, though cheaply,
They get three meals at at an aver
age cost, through the of 15t
a day, or S cents a meal. Plenty OF
good bread, baked here; plenty OF
vegetables and a good variety. Tire.
some, heavy and not so tasty, but
ample, clean, fresh and sustaining
Most prison riots are caused by poor
quality, improperly prepared food
and not enough of it. Hunger breeds
discomfort, and cruelty is used to
stamp it out.
Now the captain takes his sta
ton In the center watch station in
the center of the exercise yard. AS
the men file out for exercise, he
steps to one side. Now and then a
: line of marching men and approach
, man will step out of the single file
| him. Then another will step out and
the two will talk in the presence OF
the guard. Here is where they trans
act their business with one another;
arrange to make horsehair belts,
) and things. exchange requests. All
exchanges of funds between the