Chapter I: Part 1

CONVICT LIFE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON
STILLWATER, MINNESOTA
Profusely Illustrated

[title page decoration]

By W. C. Heilbron
Second Edition 1,000 Copies

W. C. HEILBRON 104 Dispatch Bldg. ST. PAUL, MINN. PRESS OF MURPHY‐TRAVIS CO., MINNEAPOLIS 1909

PREPARER’S NOTE

Typographical errors have been retained in this text.

PREFACE

Few people have a comprehensive idea of a penitentiary, especially the daily life of the inmates and the routine work in connection therewith. We will endeavor to give an accurate account of the prisoner’s mode of occupation, his ideals, hopes and aspirations and follow him from the day he entered the prison, from his initiation into the various departments, to the day of his final discharge. One of our celebrated poets has truly said:

A prison is a house of care,
A place where few can thrive,
A touchstone true to try a friend,
But a grave to one alive.

This stanza sums up the situation very nicely, although prison life is not the horrible nightmare that many authors have depicted. Most writers seem to get their ideas from the comic papers, wherein the prisoner is absurdly cartooned with close‐cropped hair, low‐browed and villainous looks, dressed in striped clothing of grotesque fit, and in many cases he is pictured chained to the floor by a huge ball and chain. This may have been an authentic description of the average prisoner years ago, but is not true today. It is a far cry from the time when Diogenes walked the streets of ancient Athens with a lighted lantern in the day time looking for an honest man. There were no prisons at that period of the world’s history. If a man committed a serious crime against the state or an individual the authorities ordered the lictor to strike off his head. If the offense was a minor one the offender was sold into slavery. This mode of procedure required only a few moments to execute, for in those days there were no protracted trials or clever attorneys to seek technicalities through which to free their clients. This condition of affairs prevailed for many centuries, and it often happened that a greater injustice was done the wrongdoer than he had committed against the state.

Fortunately, however, it remained for Victor Hugo to cry a halt against the then inhuman treatment accorded prisoners. In “Les Miserables” he paints a vivid picture that profoundly awakened public conscience, which still causes the world to shudder as it thinks of the injustice society did to poor Jean Valjean for stealing two loaves of bread to keep from starving.

There is today a more broad, more tolerant and a decidedly more civilized sentiment towards the inmates of penal institutions. It is universally recognized that the prisoner of today becomes the citizen of tomorrow; this fact must be conceded. Every effort is, therefore, made to assist them who have a keen desire to lead an honest life. However, if one is inclined to go around with a “chip on his shoulder,” so to speak, he will undoubtedly find as much trouble inside as he will outside of a prison. If he behaves himself, complies with the rules and performs his work in a conscientious manner he will have no more difficulty than he would anywhere else.

Modern penology has many bright laurels to its credit. What is meant by “modern penology” is that era which ushered in the good‐time law, whereby a prisoner is enabled by meritorious conduct to reduce his original sentence to a marked degree; the parole and grading system, which permits the release of a first offender at the expiration of half his sentence; the establishing of prison night schools, enabling him to learn a trade during imprisonment and permitting him to have books, papers, magazines, etc. In fact our modern penology, of which a striking example can be seen in the Minnesota State Prison, that has the reputation of being one of the best‐managed institutions in the country, aims to develop the good in the prisoner instead of continually keeping at a white heat all his coarse and brutal instincts.

Many years ago (and in some prisons at the present time), harsh measures were employed to punish an inmate for the slightest violation of a prison rule. But experience vividly impressed upon the public mind that such policy was a vicious one. It returned the prisoner to society a hundred fold more dangerous than he was previous to his commitment. Moral suasion has now supplanted the loaded cane, the dungeon and all other drastic, coercive measures which, instead of improving, had a decided tendency to make idiots of prisoners, morally, mentally and physically. It is dangerous to permit a mad dog to roam at large, and the same is true of the prisoner whom the custodians of the state turn loose on the community, whose every fibre beats stridently for revenge upon those who have subjected him to brutal treatment. Roughly speaking, we feel safe in saying that seventy‐five per cent of the prisoners are susceptible to moral suasion and any appeal made to them is taken seriously.

Our modern penology is not the effervescent dream of unbalanced minds, but the result of exhaustive research by many of the best prison authorities in America and Europe. Long experience has proven its value, and the present century will assuredly witness as many wonderful improvements as took place in the past.

For various reasons I have refrained from mentioning the names of prisoners with sensational reputations who have been inmates of the Minnesota State Prison in the past.

I am sincerely indebted to Warden Wolfer, his employees, and many inmates of the prison, for their cooperation in assisting me to present the following pages to the public, without which this book would be impossible.

W. C. Heilbron.
St. Paul, June 20, 1909.

MINNESOTA STATE PRISON

THE PRISONER’S RECEPTION AT THE PENITENTIARY

An incoming prisoner is designated by the inmates as a “fresh fish.” He enters the administration building, and, as a rule, if he has the reputation of being a “slippery chap” is handcuffed to the sheriff or one of his deputies. Handcuffs, in the vernacular of the underground world, are called “come‐a‐longs.” He now enters a room known as “between the gates.” (One of these gates leads to the outer world and the other to the inside of the prison.) Here the prisoner’s commitment papers are examined, the deputy warden sent for to receive the new arrival, and slips are immediately made out notifying the several heads of departments of the man’s name, county from which he came, the offense for which he was committed and the time that he shall serve.

Upon the arrival of the deputy warden the prisoner is taken in charge and marched through the officers’ barber shop and kitchen. Upon leaving the latter room the “fresh fish” is commanded to “turn to the right,” and a short distance ahead, about twenty feet, he is told to ’“turn to the left.” He now enters the large cellhouse—his future home, to remain for the number of years that His Honor, the Judge of the District Court, has sentenced him to serve. The cellhouse contains 664 cells (referring to Minnesota’s institution, which furnishes the nucleus for this article) and is in charge of an officer known as the Captain of the Cellhouse.

This officer now takes the new arrival in charge and searches his person thoroughly, empties his pockets of everything they contain, and takes his coat, hat and vest. Any valuables found on him, such as money, jewelry, trinkets, tobacco, etc., are immediately tied up into a bundle and sent to the deputy warden’s office. A duplicate receipt is made out for all articles of intrinsic value, is signed by the Captain of the Cellhouse and also by the new arrival so as to insure their safe keeping until the day of his release.

The next move, and one that is a decisive reminder of his future status in the world, is to the bath room, where he takes a bath and puts on a “second‐grade” uniform, there being three grades in all. The first is the highest. Its garb consists of a neat grey suit and cap. First grade prisoners are entitled to write one letter each week, to draw a ration (four ounces) of tobacco weekly, and to receive visitors once in four weeks. They have a dining room to themselves and are served with a greater variety of food than are the prisoners in the other grades. They have also such other privileges granted them from time to time as their general conduct warrants.

Prisoners in the second grade are clothed in a black and grey check suit and cap. They are permitted to write one letter a fortnight, to draw a ration of tobacco weekly and to see visitors once a month. They also have a dining room of their own, but the food served therein is not as varied as that served to first grade men. The latter, for example, are served with butter and other relishes at stated intervals, but such things are not part of the diet of the second grade prisoners.

[Administration Office ]

Administration Office

[Between the Gates ]

Between the Gates

[Group Showing the Three Grades of Prisoners]

Group Showing the Three Grades of Prisoners

Inmates in the third grade wear black and white striped suits. They are denied tobacco, writing and visiting privileges and their meals are served in their cells, which are located in one portion of the cellhouse. In none of the grades are prisoners required to march with the “lock‐step,” and excepting those in the third grade, all are permitted to wear their hair long enough to comb during good behavior. The prisoner, after his bath, is again brought into the cellhouse and the captain has one of the inmate barbers clip his hair and shave him. If the new arrival belongs to the respectable class, wearing a mustache and dressed well he will hardly recognize himself if he should chance to look into a mirror. In a few moments the proud American citizen has been supplanted by the convict. Those who belong to the so‐called “criminal” class are not affected upon donning the prison uniform, but it is different with the first offender. If he is a proud, sensitive man the change is great enough to almost wrench his heart strings asunder. Many a new arrival, spending his first night in his cell, with its iron bed, whitewashed walls, scant furnishings, iron floor and the dimensions of the room only five by seven feet, has been known to break down completely. After such an ordeal (not your make‐believe imprisonment, where some author has himself locked up for an hour or so to gain local coloring for a novel) one gets a clear idea of what prison life really is and places a higher valuation on the liberty that he so recklessly trampled under foot in his mad rush for riches, position and fame.

After the tonsorial artist has completed his task the prisoner is conducted to the deputy warden’s office, where he is weighed, asked innumerable questions, etc., instructed as to the rules of the institution, measured according to the Bertillon system, which is the standard adopted in this country and throughout Europe.

BERTILLON MEASUREMENTS

To Dr. Alphonse Bertillon, the celebrated French anthropologist, the world is indebted for the knowledge of the scientifically demonstrated fact that no two persons are exactly alike in physical measurements. In fact any single individual can be identified from thousands of others by this cleverly thought‐out system, which was first adopted in this country in 1887. The accompanying illustrations are self‐explanatory.

The system embraces three distinct parts: First, the measurement of certain unchangeable “bony lengths” of the body; second, a careful description of the features of the face; third, a careful localization of all scars and marks on the body. While the face may change, be even mutilated beyond recognition; while the scars and other marks may be removed, the “bony lengths” of the body remain unchangeable in adults. The parts measured of the bony lengths of the body are the length and width of the head, the cheek width, length of foot, the middle and little finger and the cubit, i. e., from the elbow to the tip of the little finger; the height standing, the height seated, the reach of outstretched arms, right ear length (which most authorities assert remains the same through life), the median line in front from the fork or hollow below the “Adam’s apple” down, and, in the rear, the spinal column from the seventh vertebra to the base of the spine, are the anatomical or “guiding points” from which all descriptions of the body are recorded; in the fingers, the joints and flanges,—the flanges being the portions of the fingers between the joints. The calipers for measuring the head are provided with a graduated arch and are similar to a compass. In taking the length of the head the left point of the caliper is held at the root of the nose and the right point is brought against the occipital bone in the back of the head; the thumb screw is then tightened and the measurement checked by passing the instrument again over the head. The width of the head over the cheeks is taken in the same way. The measurement of the foot is taken with a caliper rule similar to that used by a shoemaker; the prisoner is posed standing on his left foot and steadying himself as shown in the illustration. The graduate stem is placed against the inside of the foot with the fixed arm in contact with the heel and the sliding arm then brought in tightly against the toe. In measuring the left middle and little finger the back of the caliper rule is used, two small projections being provided on the fixed and sliding arms. The finger is bent at right angles to the back of the hand and the measurement taken from the tip of the finger to the knuckle.

[Head Length Measurements.]

Head Length Measurements.

The registering and record made of the foregoing, together with an accurate description of the face and all marks on the body, constitute the third and complete part of this system. To illustrate this part briefly,— measurements are all based on the French metric system, viz: Height, 1 metre, 71 centimetres, 3 millimitres; width, 14 centimetres, 5 millimetres; length of right ear, 6 centimeters, 3 millimetres; length of foot, 2.62; length of middle finger, 11.7; length of little finger, 7.1; length of forearm, 46.3. A metre is 39 inches, a centimetre about 3/8ths of an inch and a millimetre, 1‐25th of an inch.

[Measurements of Outstretched Arms and Left Foot.]

Measurements of Outstretched Arms and Left Foot.

[Left Middle Finger Measurement.]

Left Middle Finger Measurement.

The description of heads range in 14 (head) classes, being reckoned from A to Z. The middle fingers have three classes; forearm, three classes; height, three classes, and the little finger, three classes. Only one millimetre or 1‐25th of an inch is allowed as the difference between the measurements of any two operators of the Bertillon system in the “bony lengths” of the body. This is so infinitesimal that a measurement taken in France, England, the United States or in Russia by different operators will discover the prisoner, no matter where he may be, and there is no escape unless it be the grave.

The technical terms used in the description of scars or marks are strictly medical. For instance, if a man has a scar on his left breast it is described as recitilnal, vertical, horizontal, inal—such a distance from the median line, and to the right, left, above or below the nipple. Scars on the fingers are described in the same terms, indicating the flange and joint, and so on through all parts of the body,—every mark, cut or bruise being measured in front, from the median line, and in the rear, from the spinal column, as stated.

With reference to the ears, there are certain external features by which scientists assert criminals may be instantly detected. Have you a criminal ear? Dr. D. S. Lamb, at one time curator in charge of the Army Medical Museum, says there is such a thing as a “criminal ear.” Anthropologists have been giving a great deal of study to this matter of late, and their data points to the conclusion that the term “ear‐mark” is something more than a mere figure of speech. No one has two ears just alike; all ears are faulty in one way or another, that is, as to size, shape or position, and these organs do not stop growing when the body pauses in its development. At all events, chronic malefactors are apt to be disfigured by certain malformations of that organ. It has been proven that abnormalities in the ear structure are characteristic features of degenerates. Such abnormalities are commonly found in idiots, imbeciles and epileptics, and the prisons contain quite a number of inmates with such ears. The sloping ear is bad; it shows a tendency to reversion to the primitive animal ear which slopes. The great Napoleon, Lord Byron, Henry Clay and Alexander Hamilton had sloping ears. Another objectionable type is the “wing ear,” which projects wing‐like from the head. This type of ear is said to indicate a tendency towards degeneracy; are found in one individual out of every five among sane persons, in two out of five among the insane and in three out of every five in criminals, occurring twice as often among men as among women.

[Criminal Ear.]

Criminal Ear.

[Right Ear and Trunk Measurements.]

Right Ear and Trunk Measurements.

Considering all available data, it appears that ape‐like traits, monkey‐ ancestry being commonly exhibited, are found far less frequently in the ears of women than in men. This fact would seem to prove that our female race has progressed the farthest from the ancestral type. By carefully feeling with the thumb inside of the edge of the ear and a little behind the top a very small lump of cartilage will be found, as if a foreign body had become imbedded in the tissue. This is a remnant of what was originally the tip of the ear, when hundreds of thousands of years ago that organ in our remote ancestors had a point on it. Among men of note,—statesmen, scientists, politicians, etc., it occurs less frequently by about ten per cent. The so‐called “Darwinian tubercle” appears, as stated, less frequently in women than in men, and is unmistakably a trait reverting to the ape. Certain it is that no part of the body can be identified with greater accuracy than by the ears. Your own, for example, are not matched exactly by any other pair in the world; there are differences which are shown beyond the possibility of mistake, by careful measurements, as applied in the Bertillon system. In nine out of every ten persons the ear‐lobe runs into the flesh of the cheek without any perceptible division between. Experts term this the “confluent lobule,” and it also is found more often in women than in men. It is said to occur in 92 per cent of the sane and in 47 per cent of the insane. The most remarkable feature in regard to the criminal ear, if it can be so called, is the prominence of the raised area just inside the outer edge, the outer edge being termed the “helix” and the part referred to the “anti‐helix.” It appears that the overdevelopment of this portion of the aural structure is particularly characteristic of criminals.

A student of this subject can tell a person’s age more accurately by observation of the ears than by any other way. Even women, who, in other respects, preserve the youthfulness of their appearance to an advanced period are apt to betray their maturity through this organ, which acquires a sharp definition of contour, a tiny wrinkle appearing just in front of it. Some people are able to wag their ears slightly,—another indication of primeval animal traits: Our remote ancestors unquestionably wagged their ears, and every human being today is provided with ear‐wagging muscles. In most individuals, however, these muscles have become so far rudimentary that they are useless for wagging purposes.

THE FINGER PRINT SYSTEM

Our new arrival is still in the hands of the record officer; his next introduction is to what is known as the “finger‐print” system, which method has but recently been inaugurated at the Minnesota State Prison. All prisoners are at first compelled to have “photos” taken of the balls of their fingers, the procedure being very simple. The recording officer has an inking‐stone and brayer similar to those used in a print shop for “pulling” proofs. He inks the stone, grasps the outstretched finger of the new arrival, the underside or ball of his finger rolled a full turn on the stone, and then given a similar roll on paper blanks provided for that purpose, which are filed away in a cabinet with the Bertillon records for future reference. These blanks are frequently consulted for the purpose of identifying escaped or suspected offenders.

The finger‐print system was invented by the Chinese thousands of years ago, and is considered to be the safest method yet discovered for correct identification purposes. Today it is being extensively used in this country and in Europe. The United States Government has a perfectly organized bureau in operation in conjunction with its federal and military prisons. Hundreds of thousands of thumb prints have been made, but no two have yet been found exactly alike.

The impetus given to the system in this country is perhaps due to Mark Twain, America’s famous humorist, author, publisher, printer and lecturer. In “Puddenhead Wilson” Mr. Clemens has the village dunce riding a “hobby” at full tilt and that hobby was the taking of finger impressions. The citizens considered him a weak‐minded fool, but to humor him they allowed impressions of the balls of their fingers to be taken. The names of their owners were recorded and then carefully filed away. Finally Puddenhead Wilson proved himself to be anything but a fool, for when a mysterious murder was committed in the village he apprehended the perpetrator of the crime, his sole clue being the bloody imprints of the murderer’s fingers found on the woodwork in the room where the crime was committed. The finger‐print system, since the advent of Mr. Clemens’ book, has sprung into vogue in all parts of the country.

There are to date several authentic cases on record where by means of this new method of identification prisoners were acquitted, notwithstanding the fact that circumstantial evidence in the hands of the prosecuting attorney was overwhelmingly against the accused. One case was that of a man who had broken his parole from a penitentiary. While absolutely innocent, he was arrested and charged with having committed a certain crime. He could offer no proof without divulging the fact that he had violated his parole, (he still had about two years to serve), but realizing that he was about to be sentenced for eight or ten years on the present charge, he chose the lesser of the two evils and informed the authorities of his identity. Investigation disclosed the fact that he had not been released from the penitentiary when the alleged crime was committed. This incident demonstrates conclusively that the finger‐print system not only detects the wrongdoer, but greatly assists in preventing a miscarriage of justice.

[Visitor’s Reception Room ]

Visitor’s Reception Room

[Governor’s Room ]

Governor’s Room

[Board of Control’s Room, where Monthly Meetings are Held]

Board of Control’s Room, where Monthly Meetings are Held

After the operation of taking the new arrival’s finger‐imprints is completed, and instructions are given as to prison discipline, etc., the incoming prisoner is sent to the medical department, where he is given a thorough physical examination, and if he is affected with any disease it is noted in a book kept expressly for that purpose. If he needs medical attention he is told to come up to the “sick‐call” in the forenoon at nine o’clock. All ailing prisoners can attend this call each morning.

THE PRISONER IS ASSIGNED WORK

By this time the new arrival is, in all probability, wondering what will happen next, but he is soon enlightened. Work in one of the various departments will be assigned him, for instance, presuming that the shop where he is to be employed is the twine factory, he is turned over to the guard of that particular shop. This officer instructs him very minutely as to shop rules and duties that will devolve upon him, and usually accompanies his instructions with some good, sound advice as to how to best get along with the least possible trouble. The shop foreman now takes him in charge and instructs him how to perform the duties required of him.

At the noon hour he must take off his apron, wash his hands and face in a bucket of water placed conveniently near the shop runner, and when the guard blows another sharp blast with his whistle form in line with the other men and prepare to march to the dining room. He is now assigned a place in the ranks of his shop crew and told to always “fall in” at his place. The guard stamps his cane twice on the floor and the men begin to march to dinner.

At first the “fresh fish” makes quite a number of mistakes: In the dining room he is somewhat bewildered as to how to make his wants known to the waiters, as he has been told that talking is strictly forbidden, but upon reading the rules in the library catalogue he easily comprehends the silent method of asking for food. If he wishes bread he must hold up his right hand; meat, his fork; soup, his spoon; vegetables, his table knife; coffee, his cup, and for water, the rule is to hold up the cup inverted. This form of the sign language is fully adequate for the situation.

THE FIRST NIGHT IN HIS CELL

At the close of the first day’s work the prisoner is marched to his cell. Just inside the entrance to the cell house he is handed his supper in a tin dish, goes to his cell, previously assigned to him, and remains standing with his right hand on the cell door until the evening count of the number of prisoners in the institution has been verified by the deputy warden. If the count is correct the prisoners are notified by the sounding of a gong near the desk of the cellhouse captain, at which signal they are permitted to sit down and amuse themselves as they see fit. Immediately after the ringing of the gong the gallery men pass around tea for the prisoner’s evening meal in addition to what he received when he enters the cellhouse.

Our subject now has an opportunity to take a glance at the cell wherein he must spend his “little bit” as the professional crook jocularly terms his sentence. This apartment is not commodious nor supplied with modern improvements of a first‐class hostelry; its dimensions are five by seven, and contains: one Bible, two cups, one small mirror, one cuspidor, one spoon, one face towel, one dish towel, one piece of soap, one comb, blankets, sheets, pillow cases, matress, bedstead and springs, one wooden chair (for first and second grade), one earthen water jar with cover, one electric light, one small shelf, one library catalogue and all the library and school books desired. If the occupant is of a philosophical bent of mind he will now realize that the way of the transgressor is indeed hard. The first month or two are the most severe upon the new arrival. His environments force him to dwell continually upon the depths of degradation to which he has fallen, and he suffers the keenest possible mental torture; but after passing this period he begins to readjust his viewpoint and adapt himself to his surroundings and then calmly awaits the termination of his sentence. Few people have any conception of what the first offender endures during his first few months’ imprisonment; the thoughts of his jeopardized liberty are ever before him. In summing up and planning for the future about the worst obstacle he fears,—the quintessence of human degradation,—is the baleful word “ex‐convict.” That alone hurled at the public through the medium of the public press expresses the sum total of moral turpitude and degeneracy. No matter if the individual in question is pure‐minded, the symbol of the culture of the age in which he lives, the hyphenated word “ex‐convict” seems to conjure in the minds of the public a picture that causes them to shudder with fear for their safety. As a rule this fear is not shared in by prison officials. Only about ten per cent of the inmates cause them any anxiety, the rest are orderly, perform their work promptly and properly, and cause as little trouble as possible.

Prisoners frequently remain at the work first assigned them until their discharge. However, if it is found too difficult the superintendent of the respective departments can assign other work. Should this be impossible a prisoner may put in an application to explain the situation to the warden. Each prisoner has the privilege of seeing the warden at least twice a month, who adjusts all differences of opinion between the guard and prisoner, or between prisoner and foreman. Every complaint of unjust treatment is investigated thoroughly by the warden, and equitable measures are employed to remove the bone of contention. If the guard or foreman is at fault a dignified but forcible lecture generally produces the desired result. This is also true where the inmate has been negligent in his work, causing the trouble.

As previously stated, if the new arrival remains at the task first assigned him during his entire imprisonment the routine from day to day is almost identical. He can attend chapel on Sundays if he wishes to do so; a Catholic and Lutheran chaplain preach excellent sermons each alternate Sunday.

Sixty days prior to the expiration of sentence the outgoing prisoner is given a shaving ticket, or if he desires to grow a beard he can do so, if not he can get a shave each week as usual. He is given a bath and change of underclothing each week, and if his clothes and shoes need repairing he is taken to the tailor department and supplied with a new outfit. A few days before his time expires he is taken to the tailor shop and fitted to his outgoing suit of clothes, and upon the day preceding his discharge is sent to the cellhouse barber shop, where he is given a hair cut and shave.

[Interior of Men’s Cell ]

Interior of Men’s Cell

[Employee’s Dining Room ]

Employee’s Dining Room

[Officers’ Kitchen]

Officers’ Kitchen

THE PRISONER’S RELEASE

Now arrives the day so anxiously anticipated by those incarcerated in our penitentiary. A new beginning and a new chapter in their life’s history is before them. It is an event that so greatly excites the average outgoing prisoner that he hardly knows what he is doing, and in many cases his nerves are in such a condition that he is unable to sign the receipt for the money that he receives. The inmate in the forenoon is notified of his release, and is immediately taken to the tailor shop, where he dons his discharged clothing, is given any personal belongings that may have been in his cell by the captain of the cell‐house, who inspects them in order to ascertain whether or not he is the owner thereof. He is now conducted to the administration building by the deputy warden, where he is given his discharge papers and twenty‐five dollars in money, a sum provided by law for each released prisoner. Just before he walks into the world a free man the former inmate is told to step into the warden’s office, and this gentleman gives his departing “guest” a few words of helpful advice, bidding him Godspeed on his journey.

WHY SOCIETY SHOULD ACCORD HIM A SQUARE DEAL

The discharged prisoner is now in the hands and at the mercy of society. If he is accorded a square deal he may become a useful citizen. If it is his misfortune to become associated with bigoted zealots who taunt him with his past degradation the chances are that he will become a criminal again and prove a source of great expense to the state.

In closing this chapter it would be well to suggest that every ex‐convict is not a dyed‐in‐the‐wool villian, but that persecution may make him such in the course of events. Is he entitled to a square deal? Most assuredly so, especially if he is employed at honest work and his every action shows determination to lead an upright life. He has sinned against society, it is true, but without question he has paid the debt of his transgression a hundred fold by his imprisonment. Still, after all has been said, a bad reputation is a difficult thing to live down, even that which clings to the free citizen. The discharged prisoner’s chief reliance, therefore, in the final analysis is to so circumspectly conduct himself as to place him above the carping criticisms of his new associates. If he follows this course his neighbors are not likely to keep their eyes on his “cracked” reputation.

[Cell Door Decorative Illustration]

DEPARTMENTS AND INDUSTRIES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON

THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

The administration building is directly under the charge of Warden Wolfer. He has the power to appoint all subordinate officers and employes and discharge them for inefficiency and insubordination. As chief executive officer of the prison, under the supervision of the State Board of Control, the warden is directly responsible for its successful management, the humane treatment and reformation of the inmates placed in his care for safe keeping.

Warden Wolfer is one of the best prison men in this country and the enviable reputation Minnesota’s penitentiary has attained is due entirely to his long and successful experience in handling criminals. He has headed the Stillwater institution for nearly twenty years and has conducted the affairs of the prison in a sane and business‐like manner. Under his unceasing vigilance the institution has emerged from a non‐paying to a profit‐earning enterprise, and today it is one of the best self‐supporting institutions in the world, for, in our opinion, Europe has nothing that can compare with it. Mr. Wolfer has received many flattering offers from other states to take charge of their penal institutions, but he has declined, preferring to remain at the head of the institution that he has worked so faithfully to perfect.

The position of warden of the Minnesota state prison is no sinecure, for that presiding officer is one of the busiest men in the state. The business connected with the twine plant, conducted almost entirely on a mail‐order basis, is colossal in itself, there being nearly fifteen million pounds to be disposed of each year. In addition to this important item the task of maintaining peace and harmony among the officers, guards, employes and the (at present) seven hundred prisoners assumes monumental proportions. However, Mr. Wolfer has succeeded in performing this gigantic labor for all concerned year in and year out with rare tact and good judgment.

For comparative purposes, the expenses ten years ago, with a population of 504 prisoners, exceeded the earnings by $35,285.04, whereas the earnings for 1906‐7 were $329,735.70, a remarkable showing indeed and speaking well for the executive ability of the present management.

Warden Wolfer is an excellent type of the successful self‐made man. From a guard in his youth at the Joliet (Ill.) penitentiary and later in charge of the Detroit House of Correction, he was enabled to accept the wardenship of the Stillwater, Minnesota, institution.

There are several assistants employed in the executive department, where the method of conducting the business of the prison is thoroughly systematized and the organization is as nearly perfect as possible. The warden is at all times in touch with every detail of the institution and all correspondence of the prison, of whatsoever nature, passes through his hands for final disposition. He makes a trip each day through the various departments, morning and afternoon, to personally ascertain that everything is in proper order. This watchfulness produces good results; for instance, a short time ago he found a guard in the act of assaulting a prisoner and immediately discharged him. Again, he overheard a guard using extremely abusive language toward a prisoner and reduced his salary in consequence. As all such offenses are posted on a bulletin board just outside of the warden’s office and in the corridor leading into the prison the officers and guards are careful in their treatment of inmates under their charge.

[Horace W. Davis, Chief Clerk and Accounting Officer.]

Horace W. Davis, Chief Clerk and Accounting Officer.

[Main Street Inside Prison Walls ]

Main Street Inside Prison Walls

[Convicts During Sunday Drill ]

Convicts During Sunday Drill

Minnesota should rightly feel proud of her penal institution, and especially of Warden Wolfer, who has advanced the prison to the high standard of efficiency it occupies in the ranks of modern penology.

The Deputy Warden’s Headquarters

The deputy warden ranks next to the warden in the administration duties of Minnesota’s penal institution; in fact, he is the warden’s right‐hand man in conducting the disciplinary affairs of the institution. Much depends upon his efficiency in promoting harmony and goodwill among the prisoners.

The deputy warden’s office is located on the ground floor of the hospital building, and it is here that all the statistical records of incoming prisoners are preserved, such as the Bertillon measurements, finger‐print system, etc.

The duties of the deputy warden are many and arduous. Mr. Backland has had many years experience as a prison man and is very popular among the officers, guards and employees. He is always courteous to guards and prisoners alike. The following are the duties governing the deputy warden:

Duties of the Deputy Warden

1. The Deputy Warden is the assistant and agent of the Warden in the
government and management of the inmates of the prison—more
particularly in securing compliance with its rules by the
subordinate officers, employees and inmates.
2. He shall be present daily at the prison from the hour of unlocking
in the morning until after the inmates shall have been locked up at
night, unless leave of absence has been granted by the Warden, and
he shall visit the prison occasionally at night, and personally
ascertain that the inmates are secure and that the officers are on
duty and alert.
3. In the absence of the Warden, the Deputy shall perform the duty of
that office relating to the government and management of the inmates
of the prison. His orders shall be respected and obeyed by
subordinate officers, guards, employees and inmates, so far as
relates to discipline and carrying out such rules and orders of the
Board of Control as are not otherwise delegated.
4. Under the order of the Warden, the Deputy Warden shall have special
control and direction of all officers under his own rank, and all
guards and employees of the prison, and shall be responsible that
everyone performs his respective duties with intelligence, fidelity
and zeal. It shall also be his duty to promptly report to the Warden
every neglect of duty, impropriety, or misconduct, on the part of
any officer, guard, or employee.
5. The Deputy Warden shall be minute in the inspection of every person
when coming on duty, especially armed guards, and of their arms, and
shall report to the Warden the name of any person who may come on
duty under the influence of intoxicants, or without being in an
appropriate uniform, or whose uniform is not in good condition; and
all who are unworthy or inefficient from any cause.
6. He may grant leave of absence to any officer, guard, or employee for
a period of one day, but no longer, without consulting the Warden,
except on emergent occasions, and then only in the absence of the
Warden. The Deputy Warden shall enforce obedience to the rules and
regulations, and to all orders given by the Warden, and shall
maintain, generally, the police and discipline of the prison with
the strictest exactness. For that purpose he shall frequently,
during the day, but at irregular intervals and without notice, visit
the shops, towers, yards, guardposts, hospital, kitchen, cells and
all other apartments of the prison, and the different places where
work is being done, and take every precaution for the security of
the place and its inmates. And he shall see that the officers and
guards are vigilant and attentive to their duty, and that they keep
the inmates in their charge diligently employed during the hours of
labor.
7. He shall not permit any book, pamphlet or newspaper to be read by,
or be in possession of, any subordinate officer, guard, foreman, or
employee, while on duty in or about the prison. Nor shall he permit
the use of liquor or smoking on the premises by any such officer,
instructor, guard, or employee, while on duty.
8. When an inmate is received the Deputy Warden shall see that he is
bathed, shaved and has his hair cut, clothed in the suit of a second
grade inmate, and duly presented to the Physician for examination,
after which he shall measure him according to the Bertillon system,
and also carefully examine into his past history and character,
reporting same on blanks furnished for that purpose, after which he
shall assign him to work under the direction of the Warden. He
shall, at short intervals, but irregularly examine the gates, locks,
doors, levers and gratings in and about the prison, and see that
they are in a good and safe condition.
9. He shall exercise due vigilance to see that there is no unnecessary
waste or loss of the property of the prison, and that there is the
strictest economy in the consumption and the use of supplies. Also
that thorough neatness, cleanliness and good order are maintained
throughout all the buildings and the grounds.
10. He shall make himself acquainted with the social habits and conduct
of every subordinate officer, guard or employee of the prison, and
particularly whether, when off duty, such officer, guard or employee
is a frequenter of saloons or other houses of similar resort, or
associates with idle or loose characters, and report his information
to the Warden.
11. He shall see that no material is allowed to be placed near the
enclosing walls, and that nothing is accessible to inmates which
might facilitate escape. He shall especially see that all ladders
are properly secured.
12. As all business must first be directed through the office of the
institution, he shall have a vigilant eye over every person who may
have business with the prison, yards and workshops. And also see
that nothing which has not been authorized by inspection in the
office is carried in or out for inmates or others; and that no
communication is held by such person with any inmate, except by
authority granted, and in the presence of an officer.
13. He shall, every night, before relieving the officers and guards from
duty, verify, by actual count of inmates to be made by subordinates,
the written daily count report furnished him from the office.
14. As the prison reformatory law affords to inmates the privilege of
earning diminution of imprisonment from maximum sentence, affects
their grade standing, and in consequence their chances for parole,
it will be incumbent upon all authorities of the prison to give the
strictest attention to the conduct of each, that no injustice be
done to any inmate or to the state. And especially it shall be the
duty of the Deputy Warden to satisfy himself as to the behavior of
each inmate, and his industry, alacrity and zeal in the execution of
his work, so that he may be able to advise with the Warden as to the
merits and proper standing of each. For this purpose he shall, when
making his rounds, frequently communicate with officers, guards and
employees.
15. All breaches of discipline, or other offenses by an inmate, must be
immediately reported in writing by the officer in charge to the
Deputy Warden, who shall, at the earliest opportunity, make full
inquiry into the facts. And if he cannot easily excuse or correct
the offender without the infliction of a penalty, he will make a
full report to the Warden, at the earliest practical moment, and
inflict such punishment as may be necessary under his direction.
16. The Deputy Warden shall select from the trusty inmates a sufficient
number to compose a well regulated fire department and assign them
to their respective duties and stations in conjunction and in
harmony with the Chief Engineer. Frequent tests of the fire
apparatus shall be made and frequent false alarms given and runs
made to test the efficiency of the department.
17. He shall take careful invoice of all personal property brought in by
prisoners, and deposit it with the Chief Clerk for safe keeping. It
shall also be his duty to store and preserve in as good condition as
possible the clothing worn by a prisoner when requested to do so by
said prisoner.
18. The Deputy Warden will assign inmates to the several employments and
make details of inmates to act as runners, messengers, or
distributors of material in shops or elsewhere, and will decide how
far such inmates may converse with other inmates, and give them such
permission if any is necessary, through the officer in charge. He
will, each day, make a written report to the Warden, giving the
number of inmates on the previous day and how many were employed.

[Deputy Warden Backland’s Office, with Inmate Clerk ]

Deputy Warden Backland’s Office, with Inmate Clerk

[Prisoner’s Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse ]

Prisoner’s Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse

[Interior of Woman’s Cell]

Interior of Woman’s Cell

[Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse After Outing on Holiday]

Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse After Outing on Holiday

[Prisoner Band and Convicts Entering Cellhouse ]

Prisoner Band and Convicts Entering Cellhouse

[Citizens Who Work in Shoe‐Shop Leaving Prison Through Main Gate]

Citizens Who Work in Shoe‐Shop Leaving Prison Through Main Gate

[Officer’s Barber Shop with Inmate Barber]

Officer’s Barber Shop with Inmate Barber

[Room where Breads and Pastries are Cooled]

Room where Breads and Pastries are Cooled

On this floor are also located the punishment cells, the crank department and the insane ward. At the present time there are about twenty insane prisoners there and many are very dangerous and quite difficult to handle. Mike Brennan has been locked in this ward for many years. He is a life prisoner, has violent homicidal tendencies and has attacked several prisoners before being finally separated from his fellow inmates.

Mike Cunningham, who recently killed another prisoner and received a life sentence, is confined in the crank department. Cunningham is very treacherous. He conceals a sharp instrument about his person to use whenever an opportunity presents itself. He is guarded with great care by the officer in charge to see that he obtains nothing of a dangerous nature.

Each afternoon the deputy warden holds court in his office; at this time all reports of the various guards are considered and reprimands administered for violations of prison rules. The charge is first read to the offender and he is permitted to reply in his own defense. If he can prove extenuating circumstances in excuse for his breach of the rules he is excused; if not, reprimanded and perhaps deprived of his tobacco and writing tickets for three or four weeks; without these tickets the privilege is withheld.

It is well to state that no high‐priced attorneys are retained by the accused in this “court” in order to locate a full‐grown technicality whereby the chances of escaping censure are greatly enhanced. If the inmate has committed a serious offense the deputy warden is empowered to order the culprit put in the solitary for several days on bread and water.

Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited, and no guard or officer is permitted to “club” a prisoner except in self defense or to quell a mutiny. The following are the principal offenses for which prisoners are reported:

Altering clothing.
Bed not properly made.
Clothing not in proper order.
Communicating by signs.
Defacing property.
Dilatory.
Dirty cell or furnishings.
Disobedience.
Disturbance in cellhouse.
Fighting.
Hands in pockets.
Hands or face not clean.
Hair not combed.
Impertinence to visitors.
Insolence to officers.
Insolence to foremen.
Insolence to fellow prisoners.
Inattentive in line.
Inattentive at work.
Inattentive in school.
Laughing and fooling.
Loud talk in cell.
Loud reading in cell.
Malicious mischief.
Not out of bed promptly.
Not at door for count.
Not wearing outside shirt.
Not promptly out of cell when brake is drawn.
Out of place in shop or line.
Profanity.
Quarreling.
Shirking.
Spitting on the floor.
Staring at visitors.
Stealing.
Trading.
Talking in chapel.
Talking in line.
Talking in school.
Talking at work.
Talking from cell to cell.
Talking in corridor.
Throwing away food.

[Cellhouse Looking West. In Front of Desk on Left New Arrival is p]

Cellhouse Looking West. In Front of Desk on Left New Arrival is Searched

[The Hospital in Background, and Sick Prisoners in Park]

The Hospital in Background, and Sick Prisoners in Park

THE HOSPITAL.

This building is located at the western end of the yard and at the head of the main thoroughfare of the prison. It is modern, well lighted, ventilated, has commodious rooms and a physician is always in attendance. Dr. B. J. Merrill has been at the head of this department for many years and is considered one of the best physicians and surgeons in the state. He is assisted by a resident physician constantly in attendance. The head physician visits the prison each morning at nine o’clock and prescribes for those present at “sick call.” This call, as previously stated, takes place every morning, the men being gathered from the various departments of the prison by the assistant deputy warden.

Any prisoner who is not feeling well need only inform his guard that he wishes to see the doctor and his request is granted. This is obligatory on the part of the guard, as the physician’s orders are final in such matters.

When the sick‐call men arrive at the hospital they form in line just outside the door and are called into the doctor’s office one at a time. The inmate states his complaint and his name and prescription is entered on the records. If too sick to work he is permitted to either stay in the hospital, loaf in the park or remain in a cell for the day. There are several cells in the cell‐house which are used exclusively for this purpose. After the chronic cases have been disposed of the chief physician attends to the more serious ailments. He also prescribes the diet for the sick prisoners, and if they order anything that is not in the culinary department it is purchased at once.

The hospital is well patronized by the inmates. During the month of July, 1908, 2,018 cases were disposed of. But the building used for a hospital is now altogether inadequate to accommodate the growing demands of the institution, as the population of the prison has practically doubled during the past decade.

With regard to epidemics the prison has been very fortunate and the mortality list has been exceedingly small. The death rate for 1908 was only nine, principally due to tuberculosis, a disease which is quite prevalent in penitentiaries the world over.

During the summer months the convalescent patients are permitted the freedom of the park all day. Those who are unable to walk are carried down and given an opportunity to get the beneficial outdoor air.

The following rules give a clear idea of the duties of chief physician:

Duties of the Prison Physician