1914] Convict Labok in Road Construction 75 



quentlj, the tents are very convenient as they are easily taken 

 down, transported and set up again. 



The blink house or sleeping quarters of the Virginia con- 

 victs consists of a canvas tent or tent shaped building of sheet 

 iron. Two rows of cots are placed in the center of the tent, and 

 the men sleep with their feet toward the center. Along the Vine 

 of cots is a long chain to which the convict is fastened by light 

 weight chains. 



As these road camps have to be moved at frequent intervals, 

 it is economy to have them constructed in such a manner that 

 they can readily be taken down, moved, and set up again. 



Although the convict camps are to be under the supervision 

 of the State Board of Health and certain definite rules regard- 

 ing sanitation, cleanliness, etc., will be enforced; yet there 

 should be a physician who would visit the camps every so often 

 and examine the men to observe their physical condition. Where 

 no such physician is employed by the State, for this purpose, 

 arrangements should be made with a physician living in the 

 vicinity of the camps to do this work. Every effort should be 

 made to keep the men in good health and no pains should be 

 spared to this end. The men, realizing that their health is being 

 looked after by the State, will be more and more impressed with 

 the idea that the State is trying to make men out of them, and 

 will do more themselves to carry out the policy of the State in 

 regard to its treatment of its convicts. 



There should also be a Chaplain to look after the spiritual 

 welfare of the convicts, and it is a good plan for the State to 

 employ a regular Chaplain for this purpose. It will, of course, 

 be impossible for one man to visit all the camps or convicts 

 each week, but he could readily arrange with clergymen in the 

 vicinity of the camps to hold religious services every Sunday. 

 I do not believe in making attendance on these meetings com- 

 pulsory, but am confident that a very large majority of the 

 men would attend such Sunday services. 



As stated above, the sanitary conditions of the camps of all 

 the classes should be very carefully looked after, and the mat- 

 tresses, bedding and clothing kept clean. But in addition to 

 this the convict should be encouraged in every way possible to 



