204 BULLETIN 414, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



commission, as it shall apply therefor, to be used in the construction and repair of 

 public roads. (Acts 1909, ch. 229.) 



Counties. — ^Able-bodied male prisoners, over 16 and under 50 years of age, confined 

 in any county jail or village lockup, may be required to labor in the jail or jail yard, 

 upon public roads or streets, or elsewhere in the county, not more than 10 hours per 

 day. The court passing judgment shall specify whether imprisonment shall be at 

 hard labor. Persons awaiting trial may be allowed, upon request, to so labor. When 

 a sentence is for violation of a State law, the county shall pay a reasonable compen- 

 sation to each prisoner, and such labor shall be performed under the direction of the 

 county board, and superintended by the sheriff, who shall furnish necessary materials 

 and tools; and in case impiisonment is for violation of any ordinance, by-law, or police 

 regulation of a city or village, such compensation shall be paid by and the work done 

 under the direction of the governing authorities thereof, who shall furnish necessary 

 tools and materials. The earnings of prisoners may be paid to those dependent upon 

 them. In case of imprisonment for nonpayment of fine and costs, $1.50 shall be 

 credited thereon for each day's labor. For refusing to labor or obey orders relating 

 thereto prisoners may be kept in solitary confinement on bread and water, but not 

 for more than 10 days at a time nor for more than 90 days in all. The sheriff shall 

 receive from the county fees for the board and washing of prisoners as follows: For an 

 average number of 5 prisoners 57 cents per day each; for more than 5 and not more 

 than 10, 50 cents per day each; and for 15 or more, 43 cents. (Rev. Laws 1905, sees. 

 5468-5472.) 



Mississippi. 



State. — The supeiintendent of the State penitentiary may work and keep in passable 

 condition the public roads leading into the convict farms for a distance of 5 miles 

 out, but not to exceed two such roads from any one farm, and said superintendent 

 shall be amenable to the board of supervisors for the faithful performance of said work, 

 in like manner as regular road overseers. (Acts 1910, ch. 167.) 



Counties. — If a person be sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail, he may be 

 disposed of by the board of supervisors as follows: He may be worked on a county 

 farm, kept in jail, or worked on the public roads or on other work of a public char- 

 acter; but never under a contractor. Any prisoner so working who shall render 

 efiicient service and comply with all rules and regulations may have deducted from 

 his fine and the term of imprisonment one-fourth thereof. The board of supervisors 

 may prescribe and enforce regulations for working, guarding, keeping, clothing, and 

 feeding such convicts, while so worked. Convicts are classified as follows: First 

 class, male and female, over 18 and under 55 years old; second class, all others, male 

 and female. The wages of convicts working on roads, public works, or farms, shall 

 be fixed by the board of supervisors, within the following limits: First class, $8 to $20 

 per month; second class, |5 to $15 per month. Municipal authorities shall have 

 similar power with reference to municipal prisoners. The board of supervisors may 

 agree with the like board in any contiguous county, or counties, to own a farm in 

 common upon which to work prisoners, or to work with prison labor the highways 

 of the counties so agreeing, and similar arrangement may be made by said board 

 with any municipality. In no case shall male and female or white and colored con- 

 victs be allowed to sleep in the same apartment, and as far as practicable they must 

 be worked separately. Women must not be required to work on public roads, works, 

 bridges, or streets. (Acts 1908, ch. 109, and House bill 352.) 



Municipalities. — Municipalities are authorized to aid in working and keeping in 

 repair public roads leading thereto, as far therefrom as the authorities thereof may deem 

 proper, and may work their convicts for that purpose by contract entered into with 

 the contractor of such roads, or with the board of supervisors. (Acts 1910, ch. 168.) 



Missouri. 



State. — The warden and inspectors of the penitentiary may, in their discretion, 

 enter into contracts for the employment of not to exceed three hundred convicts of 

 the State penitentiary upon the public roads and highways of the State, at such times 

 and places and under such terms as they may deem proper. (Acts 1911, Senate bill 

 23, sec. 2.) 



Counties. — The county court may order the sheriff or marshal to cause jail prisoners 

 to work on the public roads or at breaking rock for road -building purposes; and when 

 there are ten or more able-bodied male prisoners confined in the jail of any county, it 

 shall be mandatory on said court to order them so worked. Said court may eraploy 

 necessary guards. The road overseers or road commissioners of any road district or 

 township wherein work is done ahaU direct such work, if so ordered by the county 



