Mr. Hubert. Do you have what might be called maximum security there?
Mr. Decker. Yes; I do—there are many maximums—I have 450 maximum-security cells that's the latest that can be built. The others are built in the old jail which was built in 1913. Of course, my steel isn't so good in that old jail.
Mr. Hubert. By maximum security, you mean, of course, maximum security from the standpoint that the prisoner can't get out?
Mr. Decker. It is tool proof steel, one, and two, it is the modern locks. The man who maintains it—the opening and closing of the doors to it is in a cell block where the prisoners could not get to him unless he did as a couple of my boys did the other day, I'm sorry to say. You don't need to put that in there. They are no longer with me. They opened the door when they had no business to and they lost their jobs and I lost five prisoners.
Mr. Hubert. Does maximum security as it operates with you include considerations of security to the prisoner himself?
Mr. Decker. Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert. Do you consider it to be your function, not merely to secure the prisoner so that he may be brought to justice or acquitted, but also so that his personal security will be maintained and he will not be injured, either by other prisoners or by outsiders?
Mr. Decker. Well, I even go further than that.
Mr. Hubert. Well, will you tell us about that?
Mr. Decker. A prisoner that is delivered to me—when the crime is committed, he is then delivered to me and when he is delivered to me, from then on I am his keeper. I must furnish his food, his clothing, get his medication and all the necessities of life required. I must protect him from a violent prisoner and I also must protect him from a citizen who would desire to do harm to him.