204 BULLETIN 414, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
commission, as it shall applv 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 unier the direction of the 
county board, and superintended by the sheriff, who shall furnish necessary materials 
and tools; and in case imprisonment 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 superintendent 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 
efficient 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 employ 
necessary guards. The road overseers or road commissioners of any road district or 
township wherein work is done shall direct such work, if so ordered by the county 
