SIR-The following report, which I have the honor to submit to you, covers a period of sixteen months only, my services having begun March 5, 1900. Rev W. C. Gunn, whose death occurred the month previous, had the respect of those with whom he served, and the esteem and confidence of the prisoners. The school, just closing when I took up the work, seems, from the record kept, to have had a successful term; and the other duties of the chaplain had been regularly performed. There is, however, no data at my command for a detailed statement of this time, and my report of necessity commences with my entrance upon the work of this office.

FACTS RESPECTING THE MEN.

I find many facts in the official record of commitments, and from personal acquaintance with the men, which are of more than ordinary interest. Among these may be mentioned the average age, which is placed at twentyeight. It is encouraging in one aspect of the case to know that the population of this prison is not composed of aged and time hardened evil-doers. Many are very young, and easily susceptible to good influences. It is most unfortunate for these that the state has no intermediate institution of a purely reformatory character. And it is most unfortunate for the state as well, since, under proper conditions, separated from habitual criminals and incorrigibles, many more of these young men might be reclaimed to useful citizenship than now is the case. Our present system often affords opportunities for education in crime.

The percentage of illiteracy is small compared with similar institutions in other states. While we have a few educated men, the majority have at some time enjoyed the advantages of the common school. They most appreciate and use regularly the books of the library and are free subscribers, where they have the means, to the newspapers and periodicals which are admitted to the prison. I will merely add in this connection a thought suggested by a knowledge of the social status of most of the men before coming here. A few have had early training and homes calculated to develop correct habits of industry and morality and have fallen in spite of them. The surroundings of the majority, on the other hand, account very readily for the development of criminal practices. Fortunately the prevention of crime by the improvement of the physicial condition of the lower classes is occupying at present a large place in the schemes of social reformers. To prevent

By

the making of a criminal is better than to suppress him when made. stamping out the slums in our large cities; by improving the condition of tenement districts; by schools of manual training for the children of the poor, and many other agencies, much can be done to prevent crime, and fortunately the latest trend of thought in dealing with this question is along these lines.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

These occupy but a small portion of a chaplain's time in a prison, but are nevertheless an important part of his work. Services are regularly held Sundays from 7:30 to 9 A. M. and from 2 to 3 P. M. The morning service is divided into two parts, a devotional meeting following the sermon. From seventy-five to 100 voluntarily remain to this after meeting. Many participate in prayer and relation of experience, for which the freest opportunity is given to all. About twenty per cent of the men in the prison claim to be Christians. I have preached at these morning services fifty-eight times and conducted thirty-nine social meetings. Interesting services on the first Sunday in June are annually held by Mrs. M. F Hinman, representing the State W. C. T. U., and we have had visits from 'Mother" Wheaton, Chaplain Byers, Rev. F. E. Lyon, Ex-Chaplain Williams, Secretary Thompson of the Keokuk Y. M. C. A., and occasionally sermons by pastors of the city. Sunday school is held for one hour in the afternoon. Attendance is optional, and about one-half of the prisoners are usually present. A corps of earnest and efficient teachers from the city carry out this work from week to week. I desire to record my deep sense of obligation for their faithfulness, and the respect in which I hold their efforts. The prison Sunday school is a very helpful adjunct to the chaplain's work.

A personal visit is made to each man in the cell house on Sunday during the hours from 9 to 12 A. M. I take this opportunity to personally converse with the men; to become better acquainted with their characters; and to offer such suggestions and advice as may seem appropriate. Also religious reading is furnished to all who wish it. The demand in this respect is much greater than one not acquainted with the men would suppose.

THE LIBRARY AND INTELLECTUAL AIDS.

The library now contains about 7,000 volumes, including new books not catalogued. When supplemented by the purchase of 800 books recently made, it will be very well represented in the various departments. It seems to me it would be wise to make additions not less often than once in two years. The cost of printing supplemental lists would be small and the library could then be kept supplied with the best late literature.

I have endeavored to make the library as useful as possible to the men by suggesting lines of reading for them, and aiding those unfamiliar with books to make their selections. These efforts have met with gratifying results, and many have made considerable progress in an intelligent appreciation of the best literature.

There will be need very soon, as the library grows, of additional room. We are already cramped, and the shelving should be replaced with other, better constructed and more adequate to its use. Many of the volumes need rebinding badly. Some, in fact, are already shattered beyond repair, and unless measures are speedily taken to repair others they will soon be in the same condition.

THE SCHOOL.

For five and one-half months school was held five evenings in the week. While the aim has been to reach the illiterate and those most in need of instruction, more advanced classes are organized as well.

One hundred and thirty-seven were enrolled last winter. The interest was maintained until the close, and when the men were working full time during the day. I anticipate a much better school during the coming winter, and arrangements have been made to have the session continue for six months. Five convicts assisted me in the work, attending regularly, and executed their duties faithfully and well.

CORRESPONDENCE AND MISCELLANEOUS.

During the time of my service I have had occasion to write nearly one thousand letters. The greater part of these have related to paper subscriptions. $920.87 have been expended by the men for papers and periodicals. As I have secured from publishers discounts of from ten to twenty-five per cent on the greater part of the papers taken for the benefit of the men, the amount above named is probably $200 less than the papers would have cost at publishers' rates.

Visits to the hospital for conversations with the sick, and in some cases the dying, have been made daily, and men have come freely to the office to see me. The liberty to do so, which you have granted, has been appreciated by myself as well as by them, and only in rare instances have they abused the privilege with calls for trivial purposes.

THE DISCHARGED AND PAROLED MEN.

Considerable attention has been given to aiding these men to secure work and encouragement when going out. The men, themselves, are frequently and unfortunately often the ones who make such efforts of little avail; but nevertheless the effort is worth the making. There should be be some systematic, organized efforts however. I am not personally favorably impressed with state agency work for this purpose. I think the best results can be obtained through an organization, like the Central Howard Association. The only difficulty with a benevolent organization having a man in the state to do this work is, that, being supported by voluntary contributions, the agent must devote a large portion of his time to gathering funds to carry on the work. Let the state furnish as much money as the society to keep a good man at work in the interest of the ex-prisoner, but let the society direct and control his efforts. I hope to see the Howard Association, or some other good organization, keeping one good man at work, the state furnishing one-half the funds needed, and thus relieving the financial embarrassment which has crippled all efforts in this direction heretofore.

In conclusion I wish to express my grateful acknowledgements to you for the fullest freedom to do the work in the manner that has seemed to me the most desirable; and your sympathy and co-operation with all efforts looking toward the intellectual and moral elevation of the men. The chaplain has nothing but kindness to remember in connection with his sixteen months' of service. Respectfully yours,

(Signed)

A. H. JESSUP.
Chaplain.

No. 12-PENITENTIARY, ANAMOSA.

ANAMOSA, IOWA, September 1, 1901.

Board of Control of State Institutions, Des Moines, Iowa.

GENTLEMEN:-I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the operations of this institution for the biennial period ending June 30, 1901, together with a detailed statement showing the financial transactions and statistical tables relating to convicts confined in this prison, and made part of this report.

MOVEMENT OF POPULATION.

Since the establishment of the penitentiary at Anamosa, May 13, 1873, there have been confined in the institution up to June 30, 1901......

Discharged during this period......

Total number of prisoners in confinement June 30, 1901....

4,693

......... 4,251

442

Of this number 425 were males and seventeen were females, or twenty-five men to one woman in confinement at this institution. The total prison population of Iowa on July 1, 1901, was 887; of these, 870 were men and seventeen women, or for every woman undergoing imprisonment in the state, there were fifty

The highest point in the prison population was reached March, 1898,641. Since that time there has been a steady decline, which has been especially marked in 1899.

Of the 420 prisoners received during the biennial period, 386 were white males and 15 white females; 14 were black males, and 5 black females.

The average age at date of admission for the total number received, was 30 years and 5 months.

The average of sentence for these 420 men, was 2 years and nine months. Three hundred and fifty-four were native born and 66 foreign born, making the native born 80 per cent. of the whole.

Eighty-one per cent. of the 420 were in good health at the time of admission to the prision; 85 per cent. were users of tobacco and 65 per cent were possessed of the liquor habit.

Sixty-four per cent. or 266, were married at the time of their admission; 92 per cent. could read and write.

Out of the 420 received during the biennial period, 332 served a first term; 59, (58 males and 1 female) a second; 14, a third; 5, a fourth, and 10, 1 or more terms, unknown.

Eighty-four of the total number committed crimes against the person; 231 against property, and 83 against public order and decency.

MAINTENANCE.

It is some satisfaction that I am able to report that notwithstanding the general advance in the market of all commodities required for the support of the institution, the reduction of expenditures on account of the support fund, over that of the last biennial period, is $28,423.06.

You will also observe that there has been a decrease in salary and wages. for the same period of $8,859.06.

APPROPRIATIONS.

Appropriations necessary to complete buildings now under construction, to enclose the north cell house and to cover the demands of the next biennial period. The estimate is based on the best quotations obtainable, and as. reliable as it is now possible to make, owing to the unsettled conditions of the markets.

The Twenty-eighth General Assembly appropriated, "roof for the north cell house, $6,285.93." This material has not yet been purchased and the metal market has advanced over the quotations of two years ago, $1,000.00hence I include $1,000.00 in the estimate for the north cell house to cover this deficit.

I would call your special attention to amounts asked for laundry equipment and machinery for engineering department. We have no conveniences. whatever for washing the soiled clothing, simply using a barrel and a hand pounder with steam jet, which is destructive and fails to thoroughly cleanse and wash the clothing. I regard the purchase of equipment for laundry as important, both as to the saving of clothing and the health of the men.

The estimate for the engineering department includes cast iron mains for water system. The old mains are rusted and pitted and will not bear fire pressure. In tests made we were not able to put on over sixty pounds for fear mains would burst. Machinery asked for will soon pay for itself in work that we will be able to do in place of sending it outside. We have been very much crippled in our work on account of the lack of proper machinery.