Chet and the Prisoners - 15

Chet

April 23

I am getting to enjoy these little talks I have mainly with Karl. He wants to become an American citizen, and I think he will be a good one. He says he and the people in his barracks spend time reading books in English and discussing them, to practice the language.

And he's really musical too. He says a bunch of them get together who like opera music. But he says other groups are playing German folk songs on an accordion, and lots of the men sang along with loud voices which interfere somewhat with the opera.

Karl asked me what sorts of things the men do at the prison to keep busy.

“Of course, we have the Prison Farm, which is huge, 1350 acres and just keeping the place going takes a lot of men. That is only a job for the most trustworthy, as they are allowed such freedom. They raise oats, beets, potatoes, corn, speltz, and cattle feed.  the  The dairy produces enough milk for our needs for milk, butter and cream, and also manages to sell the extra to the public. Probably your milk here comes from our farm.

“One group make caskets. Another large group works making twine and the Penitentiary actually owns the Twine and Cordage Company, which is quite a big industry. (pictured above) Others are kept busy doing the packing of the twine once it is made. The company started out big, but has grown smaller since the last war. But the twine is good quality, made out of sisal from Yucatan. There was a story going around how the warders
had a nice vacation in January when they went to buy the sisal and the manila from the Philippines and the hemp from New Zealand.”

“So who do you think is the most interesting prisoner you have at the moment?”

"I think probably the longest serving prisoner, and that is Jacob Bentz. He killed his wife in 1931 by bludgeoning her to death. He was sentenced to life in prison, but I don't think he will have a very long life, as he has lots of serious medical problems. I heard that
people in Harvey where he came from and where he killed his wife, believe that her ghost haunts the local library. She was only 42."

“Do you have any women in there?” asked Karl.

“I think there are three at the moment. There is space for about 10 but there haven't been that many since I have been here. The most recent one is an Indian lady from the reservation and her boyfriend who is in too. She got 1 year and he got 1 to 5, I supposed depending on how well he behaves. They were convicted of adultery.”

“Isn't that rather Victorian?” asked Karl. “Surely the prison would be full to overflowing if everyone was put in for doing that.”

“Yes, I agree, but there is a strong morality in law – especially regarding unlawful sex with minors, or buggery, and women are imprisoned for abortion too, although I don't think that happens very often any more.”

“Are you looking forward to being out of here, then:” asked Karl.

“Yes, because my new job is exciting and important and it pays a lot more too. And the days will be shorter and I will always have Saturday afternoons and Sundays off. It would be nice to be able to get a proper house rather than just having a few rooms – especially now with the new baby coming.”