UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 414 
Contribution from Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering 
LOGAN WALLER PAGE, Director 
Washington, D. C. 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 
December 15, 1916 
CONVICT LABOR FOR ROAD WORK 
By 
J. E. PENNYBACKER, Chief, Division of Road Economics, and 
H. S. FAIRBANK, Highway Engineer, Office of Public 
Roads and Rural Engineering, and DR. W. F. DRAPER, 
Passed Assistant Surgeon, United States 
Public Health Service 
CONTENTS 
Page 
Introduction 1 
Systems of Convict Labor ...... 2 
-Road Work for Convicts 6 
Efficiency and Economy of Convict Labor 17 
Management and Operation 29 
Records and Cost Accounts 34 
Discipline and Methods of Control ... 54 
Camp Location 65 
Water Supplies . „ . • . . ■» + . . 69 
Page 
Camp Sanitation 89 
Health Conditions and Care of Sick and 
Injured 115 
Quarters and Structures 127 
Clothing, Camp Supplies, and Equipment 145 
Rations for Convicts at Road Camps . . 157 
Bibliography 191 
Appendix 19S 
WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1916 
