The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-12-10
Committee States
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their own labor co-ordinator, thel
other departments and institutions en-
Gagged in construction work involving
the employment of labor might d.
likewise, and that the possibility o
developing strong effective labor di
vision or department within the state
government would be destroyed.
Policy Regarding Prison Labor
The State Prison report, adopted
October 31st, contained these state
ments and recommendations:
"That the policy be adopted and the
administrati of the prison con.
Quoted on the basis that the prison is
not operated solely to meet out re
tribution, but instead toward the re
Mobilization of first offenders and
some others who can be returned tc
society as useful citizens"
"An absolute essential of a good
prison program is employment for all
prisoners in place of devastating and
degenerating idleness."
Montana statutes recognize this
principle and while Section 1881
ROM. prohibits the sale of prison
made goods on the open market, the
next section of the law specifically
provides for the "sale or exchange of
goods produced in any penal or re-
formatory institution or any charit-
able or custodial institution the ma
jor portion of whose maintenance is
contributed by the state"
The report calls attention to the
fact that at present facilities for en-
ployment and rehabilitation of pris-
oners outside the walls but within the
custody of the prison is sufficient only
to employ small number during
most of the year.
In discussing the report the gov
ernor pointed out that the legislative
appropriations for state custodial in
situations were based on the costs of
food and supplies during 1889 and
1910 and that the state would find 1t
extremely difficult if not impossible
to maintain the institutions under
substantial increased costs for the
next two years without large def
ciencies being incurred and that every
effort should be put forth to make the
various institutions produce more Of
their own food products.
Further, this seems necessary as a
part of the national defense program
During the past season the farmers Of
Montana faced serious labor short
age and this condition will grow worse
with succeeding years.
At the present time the state is en-
countering difficulty in purchasing
certain items of food; what the con-
dition will be in another year no one
will venture a guess. The food cost
at the state hospital for the insane
for the year 1940-41, was but 3.6c a
meal, while the average cost at men
tai hospitals runs from SC to &c
meal
If the patients at this institution
are to be properly fed it is absolutely
necessary that the production of the
state farms be materially increased.
The committee therefore recon-
THAT, to reduce the cost OF food,
additional lands be placed in cultiva-
ton and that the production of the
prison farms be materially increased,
through the reclamation of present
ands, and the renting Of more land If
necessary; and that the yield of the
larry herd be increased"
Recognizing that the creation of adj
iitional industries within the prison
cannot be made until or unless the
legislature provides adequate funds,
he committee merely recommended:
THAT consideration be given to
of such other produc-
i've activities as may be appropriate
Ind that these measures be taken as
major economies to the state and as
! means Of providing the inmates with
to rehabilitate them
selves"
The committee has no intention of
making recommendation calling for
my activity which would place prison
abor in competition with free or or
,anized labor. For the protection of |
'rivate industry and labor the open
market should not be opened to prison |
made goods or products At the same |
ime, the state has the right and the |
luty to employ its own prisoners, or
inmates of other custodial institutions |
or their own benefit and to utilize
is farm products In order to reduce
he tremendous tax cost of maintain
ng the same, and to improve the
tandard of living particularly for the .
early 1000 unfortunates at Warm ,
springs.