Dear Sir:

Paying inmates for working...
Complying with your request for a report from me as to how I find the prison conditions in general, I am glad to state that I have observed a considerable improvement in the general working condition and morale of the State convicts in my division during the last two years. I, therefore, have very few suggestions to make that I think would improve the present conditions. However, I believe if the convicts were paid a small compensation, say $1.00 at the end of each month, when their work and general conduct warranted it (the Captain in charge to be the judge) that it would stimulate the men to work better and conduct themselves in a better way, and that the additional work and grade of work done would more than compensate the State for this additional expense. I believe this would be very effective, especially with the negro convicts.

Providing a bigger stipend upon release...
I note that when a State convict is released he is only paid $10.00 and out of this amount he is forced to buy a suit of civilian clothes and pay his transportation back to his home. I think that his amount should be doubled at least. When the State works a man from five to twenty years and sometimes longer, and then turns him loose in the world penniless, and in most cases many miles from his home and friends, it naturally has a tendency to induce him to continue his life of crime. If he doesn't succeed in getting employment immediately after his release, he will be forced to steal or starve, which in a way will make the State a party to the crime. It is not always easy for a convict to secure employment as soon as he is released.

Metal cage for inmates

Eliminate iron cages on wheels...
In reference to county convicts, I would recommend that the portable vans (iron cages on wheels) now used by a good many of the counties for sleeping quarters for the convicts be abolished. These old cages are unsanitary, uncomfortable, unhealthy and in every way undesirable. They are close and stuffy and men are required to sleep on shelf cots from two to three deep on both sides of the van with hardly room enough to pass between. It is impossible to provide any place in these vans for the men to take a bath, and it is a difficult matter to keep these cages clear of vermin. The counties that work their convicts should be required to build permanent barracks in some centrally located place in the county and take the men to and from their work in trucks. In doing so, they would be able to work their No. 2 prisoners to an advantage by maintaining a garden at all times, which would greatly reduce the food bill and at the same time keep the men healthy and in a better working condition.

Old Man Florida seems to be somewhat of a farmer, himself. Just noticed that he has a state farm at Raiford with 18,000 acres, 15,000 of it under fence, 2,000 acres under cultivation, 1,000 acres in horticulture, 1,200 head of Jersey, Angus and grade cattle, 600 head of hogs, 3,000 laying hens, 100 head of mules and horses, with a list of products indicating that the farm is well managed. This is the state's prison farm. Some place of business. Arcadia Arcadian.

Mrs. J. S. BLITCH entertained with dinner party honoring J. S. BLITCH, supt. of State Farm.