Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1912 — JAIL IS PARADISE [ARTICLE]

JAIL IS PARADISE

Luxuries Enjoyed Where McNamaras Now Dwell. / >- - • * - ... - - v •• ; ■ ; VrSan Quentin Is- Like a Summer Resort —ln Institution on San Franolsoo < Bay Offenders Are Treated With Consideration. Los Angeles, Cal.—lncarcerated in a prison de luxe, where the cells are carpeted, where they have access to a library, are allowed to roam on a breezeswept island, granted the right to play baseball, swim, engage in athletics and promenade and smoke, James B. McNamara and J. J. McNamara, whose dynamiting operations cost twenty-one lives, are escaping the prison hardships like thpse of Sing Sing. The San Quentin prison, in wbieh they are serving their terms of life imprisonment and fifteen years, ’ respectively. is the prison de luxe of the United States, if pot of the world. By some it is called the “criminals*' paradise” and likened more to a summer resort or country residence than a prison. In this prison de luxe the Inmates are confined in the cells but eleven hours a day. The rest of the time they are either nlaking jute bags in the factory that is a part of the prison or playing baseball, swimming, reading under shade trees, while at the same time- enjoying a smoke, or else roaming about the island and enjoying the view of passing steamships. In the evenings they are allowed to have a candle with which to read In their cellß, and If they desire can cook a rarebit for themselves. Hard work is unknown. The prisoners, nnmhering-1,800, Including the McNamaras, are obliged to make so many Jute bags between the hours of 7 In the morning and 5 o’clock in the evening. If they make the required

number in lent time, they are allowed to spend the time they save in enjoying themselves on the prison grounds. Dozens of those imprisoned there, instead of awaiting with glee the hoar of their freedom, witness its approach with misgivings, for they realize they will hare to go forth to battle in;a competition that will afford them few of the pleasures and luxuries common in the prison. The 'criminals’ paradise” is officially designated the California state prison. It is maintained by California. The federal government sends prisoners there, but pays the state of California for their maintenance. The prison is situated at San Quentin, which projects out into San Francisco bay. It la reached by boat in an hour's ride from San Francisco. Comedians and tragedians among the prisoners weekly give, a theatrical, performance; the prison bond, consisting of sixty pieces and composed of the inmates, gives concerts; the baseball teams play for the of the prison feaghh; the handball experts battle for the championship in that line; the athletes of the cinder path, the hardies, the hammer and the, like regularly engage in competition. They have ah., extensive farm. They raise chickens and ducks.