BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE State Agent Prison and Reformatory 'o the Honorable: The State Board of Control, Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit the following as my biennial re-port for the period ending July 31, 1906: In trying to care for the unfortunates, who have been placed in our charge, we find a variety of dispositions in the subjects so placed, and find that great care must be exercised in the placing of each individual, in so far as is possible, to place them in agreeable places and in suitable employment, and to safeguard them, as much as possible, from evil influences. We find that too often employers are only careful of their own interests, having but little thought of what their duty is toward the employee who has been placed in their charge. Still, we feel that a reasonable amount of success has attended our efforts to promote the welfare of those placed in our charge. Nearly the same conditions exist now as existed two years ago. There is much more work that could be done if an assistant was provided; with such assistance the agent could keep in closer touch with those on parole, and thereby be able to check a tendency to break parole, by being able to meet these men oftener. Two years ago I suggested that sub-agents might be provided; with good results, but such suggestion did not meet with approval. This work is continually on the increase. There have been 376 discharged from the Prison during the past two years, of which 72 have presented themselves for the purpose of securing reduced rates of transportation, and 30 have called for the purpose of seeking employment. Of the 376 that have been discharged 194 have admitted, or are known to have served previous terms of imprisonment. Of the 376 men discharged direct from the Prison since July 31, 1904, 216 have been discharged between the months of November and May 1, thus showing that no attention has been paid to the law in sentencing prisoners with reference to the time when their sentence should expire. Ninety percent of men discharged from prison (when interviewed) claim to have been under the influence of liquor when the crime, of which, they were convicted, was committed. 1904-05. Paroled Prisoners From The Minnesota State Prison. Number on parole July 31, 1904..... Number paroled during fiscal year ending July 31, 1905. Expiration of sentence.. Board of Control Violations: Returned to institution Pardoned Number on parole July 31, 1905. 27 53 20 4 13 2 1 40 80.. 80 Note:-During the fiscal year ending July 31, 1905, two men were temporarily returned on account of sickness and lack of employment. During the same period the number of paroled includes two men who had temporarily returned. Note:-During the fiscal year ending July 31, 1906, nine men were temporarily returned on account of sickness, or iack of employment. 1904-06. Number on parole July 31, 1904.... Number paroled during two years ending July 31, 1906.. Expiration of sentence Board of Control Violations: Returned to institution Pardoned On parole July 31, 1906 Parole violators at large July 31, 1904... Since returned Parole violators during biennial period still at large Apprehended, serving time in other institutions, will be returned when discharged Still at large 1 The expense of maintaining this office for both the prison and reformatory the past two years has been as follows: Salary Other expenses, stationery, etc.. $3,000.00 $5,341.35 During the two years covered by this report, I have traveled by rail a total of 39,795 miles. I have made 781 visits to prisoners on parole. Respectfully submitted, J. Z. BARNCARD, State Agent. |