Tuesday, April 11. 1972
3
Time, Funds Delay State Penal Reform
Editor's Note: This is the first of two stories concerning prison reform, and it deals with the technicalities of the 1972 Penal Reform Bill and its impact.
By LESLIE RISS
Kansan Staff Writer
The 1972 Kansas Penal Reform bill which has been described by Robert Athma, deputy warden of the judge in the case as the "blueprint for a future that is idealistic" was recently amended to include two primary problems surrounding the reform bill. Firstly, reform bills require reforms will need money which is not available and that it will take time to put the reforms into action.
THE LANSING PENITIARY, built in 1864, receives male criminals who have committed felonies in Kansas. Most of the prisoners fall under the jurisdiction of the federal About 25 per cent of these men, a higher percentage than most U.S. penitentiaries, are trustees who are able to leave the prison and have jobs in Lansing or other cities where they can travel to different states without a guard, Atkins said.
The 1972 Palmeto Reform bill will affect the 1.500 persons serving prison sentences at the state penitentiary in Lansing.
Nine per cent of the inmates are in maximum security. This is below the national average of 12 per cent. In all cases custody are allowed to live in honor dorsitories. Cell blocks are in maximum security, but none
For one thing, the court system now allows more parolees to go from the court to the street. Secondly, several years ago the police established an eligibility rule on offenders, which meant that a person having a long-term sentence must serve only 15 years to be released. Many of the camps have been created to inmates to work in park and recreation area maintenance jobs associated with the state government.
10 YEARS AGO there were
2,200 prisoners The deputy
wardens said the number had
decreased for several reasons
Prison operations have been as efficient as possible considering the tight budget and the rules that must be obeyed. Alkins said
HE EXPRESSED concern over the fact that appropriations for the war had been made now. Otherwise, it will take years after 1974 to put many of the war-related funds into action.
The budget for the prison in 969 was $3,193,498. In 1970 it
increased to $3,744,990. The governor has recommended that the budget for 1972 be $4,226,897. Atkins explained, however, that the budget was less than in 1972. It is impossible to run the prison on the present budget, he said, but to lower that deficit is difficult to understand.
The director of correctional institutions receives $15,000 annually, which is less than the warden at Lansing
Atkins reported guards as
Lansing received $477 a month.
As a result, many of the guards
might must find a second job.
CONTRARY TO the opinion of many Kansans, some excellent and progressive activities do exist at the penitentiary. Akins
UPON ENTERING the Lansing prison, men are given their own Am radios. As of January, Aktins added, inmates use personal television sets for free, per cent on their time at this site.
Although it has limitations, the home visit program, initiated in 1971, has been very successful. This program allows inmates to visit within two years of their release date to visit their families and homes.
Newspaper Manager Says Reporters Encounter Racism
Some prisoners live in mobile trailers on prison property. The state charges rent to these men. This situation allows them to work in Leavenworth and is introduced to the working life.
Other useful programs at the pentagon are for educational education of the prisoners. A fulltime instructor, part of the prison staff. Forty percent of the inmates are taking vocational and academic courses. The college night work sponsored by Johnson County Junior College. For inmates who cannot write they must attend mandatory four-hour course daily.
By DONNA DALE
Kansan Staff Writer
MACONALD ADDRESSED journalism classes concerning all aspects of the newspaper including reporting and editing, and answered questions about the job in reporting problems, and his job.
TO IMPROVE the prison hospital, many inmates become donor donors. These donors may earn $5 a week.
THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM of prisoners has been improved to better help each inmate.
from Leavenworth to the prison once a week to lecture about foreign countries.
Peter MacDonald, president and general manager of Harris Enterprises, a newspaper chain that operates on Monday that there are still a lot of Archive Bunker types who still work with anyone other than a white report.
MacDonald made the comment in the participation during the William Allen White School of Law editor-in-residence program
The Harris chain owns 15 newspapers and radio stations from California to Iowa. The chain owns several newspapers including Salina, Hutchinson, Ottawa, and Garden City.
When each prisoner enters the penitentiary, he is given the General Education Development Test (GED) if the prisoner does not pass this test, he begins a six-week course to improve his knowledge
newspapers try to emphasize the
good and play down the bad news.
A newspaper can't do this
because the full of is full of
bad news, he said.
maximum security, often enrolled in correspondence courses affiliated with colleges and universities.
The chain has no policy concerning hiring of minority employees, he said, but some of its employees still encounter prejudice.
Also available to the inmates are group therapy and counseling programs and services.
Objectivity is hard enough, without the subjective aspects of the new journalism, he said. He also added that the subjective type of old reporting
This enables him to be placed in further educational or vocational training classes which eventually make his life easier for him. He was given the Mates. He said many of them have mates, even some of those in
sources have said, "I thought I was going to talk to a rogue."
He said the best way he could describe was by quoting another newspaper publisher, John S. Knight. Knight said an important
The administrative staff at the prison works in coordination with the Army Prisoners are sometimes trained to be soldiers prior to their release. This is used as a means of transition, which anticipates another program, 'Know Your World', brings Army officers
One of their black female reporters had encountered several difficulties. Some of her
For visiting friends and relatives, the prison provides a living room where the atmosphere is more relaxed.
"A newspaper that serves the community best is one that has its own character," he said.
A newspaper can't operate on "nothing but good news" attitude, he said. Some
MACDONALD SAID the headquarters of the chain did not treat any of the individual managers. The format and policy of each
The number of papers has deferred because of operating costs and concentrating on upgrading the papers it already controls.
part of his job was to "walk through the plant once a month to create the necessary insecurity."
"Our newspaper group has had more cases of libel than anyone else," MacDonald. One case involved a letter to the editor printed in one of his newspapers, accusing it of a wrong name. He said most of the libel cases were
It was discovered recently, according to Athkins, that several individuals on the G. I. bill. This means that these prisoners, in addition to the prison's a day earnings from the prison's $130 a month from the Army. They should pay wages and benefits monthly salary from the Army.
Before assuming the presidency of Harris Enterprise Macdonald served in the Royal Air Force and worked in radio.
Peter McDonald
IN SPEAKING of the job market in the journalism field, MacDonald said he saw no significant opening of jobs.
Local McGovern Victory Reflects Student Activism
By STEVE RIEL
Kansan Staff Writer
Heavy participation of students in the local unit Democratic conventions of Saturday can be expected to age and to a general age range, with policies of the Nixon administration cording to Dan Conyers, Lawrence senior and delegate to the Democratic district candidate Clinton.
Conyers said that students had previously tried other more radical means to effect political change, but now that they had the political will to participate in the political process, he has taken action within that system.
He said Student Vote, a campus organization designed to increase student interest in the elections and involvement at the conventions.
Veterans Day Helps Define Needs
By LYLE TEMPLETON
The purpose of the day was to give the veterans a good welcome home, recognition and knowledge. Bruns said. Before the meeting, eight student veterans were directly participating in Campus
The Vietnam Era Veterans Day Friday, was very productive and helpful for veterans attending the University of Kansas, according to Ed Brums. Leeward President of the Campus Veterans.
"The 600 student veterans that were in attendance were enthusiastic about the day," Bruns said.
DURING THE DAY the veterans were questioning the questionnaire including information about their schooling, means of finance and employment. According to Brunga the军官们 will find what problems the veterans were encountering and to reinforce state governments and to KU
"The questionnaires will be sent to congressmen in Washington, D.C., to back up our proposals," said Bruns.
As Bruns told the attending veterans Friday, these proposals deal with the G1 bill. They were proposed an increase of at least 20 per cent in monthly stipends for educational assistance, $1,000 paid by the federal government, and paid by the federal government, an increase from the present 36 months to 48 months of eligibility of veterans to receive money through a mediate receipt of benefits upon application and certification of enrolment at an institution of education, according to Bruns.
The proposals also were made to the Mason, KU housing director. The institution third of the total available space at Stouffer Place at the beginning of the semester be reserved for students who are allowed a deferred payment plan, without penalties to conference participants in the ministration's distribution of checks and a wing for veterans by the fall of 1972.
TWO PROPOSALS were presented to the kansas government to aid veterans. Bruns told us that he was supported proposals urged that no tuition be charged any veteran of military service, and that a supported institution of higher education and that a state-wide university would be initiated employing only Vietnam era veterans to seek out employers to help hire the 56,000
A PROPOSAL to have student
Kansan Photo by T. DEAN CAPLE
KU Veterans Question Rep. Larry Winn's Views
.. All Lenses, senior and a Vet. Listens to Winn's answers
vetarians on a deferred payment plan for their tuition was presented to Keith Nitcher, vice chancellor for business affairs, in
February. According to Bruns, some veterans are dropping out of school because of their inability to pay their tuition on
time. Bruns said the proposal was to have veterans make three payments for tuition throughout the semester.
**STUDENT VOTE's** main contribution, according to Conyers, was the voter response drive that drove last week. He said Student Vote had also brought a large number of speakers to KU. Because of small attendance these speakers will be student turnout. Conyers said.
At the local unit conventions on Saturday, 21 delegates were elected to go to the regional convention in May 21. George McGovern had committed themselves to supporting George McGovern prior to their election. Eight of the elected delegates are students at the University of
Approximately 2.000 students were registered at campus locations last week.
Conyers said that students were "perhaps underrepresented in the delegations, any case, their representation is significant."
PRIOR TO THE Saturday conventions, an open meeting was sponsored by the McGovern supports convention strategy. At the meeting, Douglas County McGovern supporters chose candidates to run for the office of delegates and alternates.
At the Third district convention, Lynn Knox, St. Louis freshman and chairman of the boxing committee, met with the mittee, said the open meeting had been held to choose seven people to run for the seven positions in the organization.
This endorsement was made in order to insure that voting power will be represented. McGovern supporters nominated than there were positions to be
Noother organized support was evidenced at the Third District convention besides that for McGovern.
MANY SPEAKERS at the convention in the Third District indicated that they were surprised at the large turnout. A tall of persons present revealed that many of them were registered as independents.
This fact indicated the predominance of new voters participating at the convention. To be classified a Democrat, a person must have voted in the Democratic primary election.
Evidence of heavy student participation surfaced in the resolutions that were supported
at the conventions
TOPEKA
MUNICIPAL AUD.
SAT., April 15
2 shows-
7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Prices: $7.00, 6.00, 5.00
All three conventions in Douglass County passed resolution condemning U.S. war with Mexico and conventions passed resolution calling for an end to immigration against homosexuals.
In other action, the Third District convention voted to strike a formal resolution introduced by the Resolutions Committee which was a blanket of Government of Gov. Rohrer Docking.
THIS ACTION was criticized by both the opposition and the convention as being a source of possible alienation to other Democrats in Kansas and the state.
Similar criticism was also directed at resolutions which supported the legalization of the sale and use of marijuana and the drink Both resolutions were passed by the convention
Other resolutions that were adopted included making a bipartisan policy to help women who wanted one, amnesty for draft-evaders of the Vietnam war and the recognition of equal gender roles for women in politics.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT KIEF'S DISCOUNT RECORD STORE IN LAWRENCE.
The convention consistently expressed support for resolutions allowing freedom of personal expression
-Could you use a scholarship?
-Could you use a scholarship?
-Would you like to help your Museum of Art?
-Would you like to visit major museums in the U.S. and Europe?
-All this and More!
Everyone is Welcome
Help us organize. April 11 7:30
Union Forum Room
Use Kansan Classified
EXHIBITION AND SALE OF ORIGINAL GRAPHIC ART
SUA Fine Arts
KANSAS UNION
SOUTH LOUNGE
Tues., April 11
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wed., April 12
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ferdinand Roten Galleries, Inc.
GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY! Finally, a place at the University of Kansas for single graduate students only!
Naismith Hall's Graduate Living Group. All of the advantages of a dorm. All the advantages of an apartment. None of the hassle of either. Drop by and look us over.
NAISMITH HALL
1800 Naismith Drive
843-8559