Minnesota should rightly feel proud of her penal institution, and especially of Warden Wolfer, who has advanced the prison to the high standard of efficiency it occupies in the ranks of modern penology.

The Deputy Warden's Headquarters

The deputy warden ranks next to the warden in the administration duties of Minnesota's penal institution; in fact, he is the warden's right-hand man in conducting the disciplinary affairs of the institution. Much depends upon his efficiency in promoting harmony and goodwill among the prisoners.

The deputy warden's office is located on the ground floor of the hospital building, and it is here that all the statistical records of incoming prisoners are preserved, such as the Bertillon measurements, finger-print system, etc.

The duties of the deputy warden are many and arduous. Mr. Backland has had many years experience as a prison man and is very popular among the officers, guards and employees. He is always courteous to guards and prisoners alike. The following are the duties governing the deputy warden:

Duties of the Deputy Warden

1. The Deputy Warden is the assistant and agent of the Warden in the government and management of the inmates of the prison—more particularly in securing compliance with its rules by the subordinate officers, employees and inmates.
2. He shall be present daily at the prison from the hour of unlocking in the morning until after the inmates shall have been locked up at night, unless leave of absence has been granted by the Warden, and he shall visit the prison occasionally at night, and personally ascertain that the inmates are secure and that the officers are on duty and alert.
3. In the absence of the Warden, the Deputy shall perform the duty of that office relating to the government and management of the inmates of the prison. His orders shall be respected and obeyed by subordinate officers, guards, employees and inmates, so far as relates to discipline and carrying out such rules and orders of the Board of Control as are not otherwise delegated.
4. Under the order of the Warden, the Deputy Warden shall have special control and direction of all officers under his own rank, and all guards and employees of the prison, and shall be responsible that everyone performs his respective duties with intelligence, fidelity and zeal. It shall also be his duty to promptly report to the Warden every neglect of duty, impropriety, or misconduct, on the part of any officer, guard, or employee.
5. The Deputy Warden shall be minute in the inspection of every person when coming on duty, especially armed guards, and of their arms, and shall report to the Warden the name of any person who may come on duty under the influence of intoxicants, or without being in an appropriate uniform, or whose uniform is not in good condition; and all who are unworthy or inefficient from any cause.
6. He may grant leave of absence to any officer, guard, or employee for a period of one day, but no longer, without consulting the Warden, except on emergent occasions, and then only in the absence of the Warden. The Deputy Warden shall enforce obedience to the rules and regulations, and to all orders given by the Warden, and shall maintain, generally, the police and discipline of the prison with the strictest exactness. For [pg 37] [pg 38] [pg 39] that purpose he shall frequently, during the day, but at irregular intervals and without notice, visit the shops, towers, yards, guardposts, hospital, kitchen, cells and all other apartments of the prison, and the different places where work is being done, and take every precaution for the security of the place and its inmates. And he shall see that the officers and guards are vigilant and attentive to their duty, and that they keep the inmates in their charge diligently employed during the hours of labor.
7. He shall not permit any book, pamphlet or newspaper to be read by, or be in possession of, any subordinate officer, guard, foreman, or employee, while on duty in or about the prison. Nor shall he permit the use of liquor or smoking on the premises by any such officer, instructor, guard, or employee, while on duty.
8. When an inmate is received the Deputy Warden shall see that he is bathed, shaved and has his hair cut, clothed in the suit of a second grade inmate, and duly presented to the Physician for examination, after which he shall measure him according to the Bertillon system, and also carefully examine into his past history and character, reporting same on blanks furnished for that purpose, after which he shall assign him to work under the direction of the Warden. He shall, at short intervals, but irregularly examine the gates, locks, doors, levers and gratings in and about the prison, and see that they are in a good and safe condition.
9. He shall exercise due vigilance to see that there is no unnecessary waste or loss of the property of the prison, and that there is the strictest economy in the consumption and the use of supplies. Also that thorough neatness, cleanliness and good order are maintained throughout all the buildings and the grounds.
10. He shall make himself acquainted with the social habits and conduct of every subordinate officer, guard or employee of the prison, and particularly whether, when off duty, such officer, guard or employee is a frequenter of saloons or other houses of similar resort, or associates with idle or loose characters, and report his information to the Warden.
11. He shall see that no material is allowed to be placed near the enclosing walls, and that nothing is accessible to inmates which might facilitate escape. He shall especially see that all ladders are properly secured.
12. As all business must first be directed through the office of the institution, he shall have a vigilant eye over every person who may have business with the prison, yards and workshops. And also see that nothing which has not been authorized by inspection in the office is carried in or out for inmates or others; and that no communication is held by such person with any inmate, except by authority granted, and in the presence of an officer.
13. He shall, every night, before relieving the officers and guards from duty, verify, by actual count of inmates to be made by subordinates, the written daily count report furnished him from the office.
14. As the prison reformatory law affords to inmates the privilege of earning diminution of imprisonment from maximum sentence, affects their grade standing, and in consequence their chances for parole, it will be incumbent upon all authorities of the prison to give the strictest attention to the conduct of each, that no injustice be done to any inmate or to the state. And especially it shall be the duty of the Deputy Warden to satisfy himself as to the behavior of each inmate, and his industry, alacrity and zeal in the execution of his work, so that he may be able to advise with the Warden as to the merits and proper standing of each. For this purpose he shall, when making his rounds, frequently communicate with officers, guards and employees.
15. All breaches of discipline, or other offenses by an inmate, must be immediately reported in writing by the officer in charge to the Deputy Warden, who shall, at the earliest opportunity, make full inquiry into the facts. And if he cannot easily excuse or correct the offender without the infliction of a penalty, he will make a full report to the Warden, at the earliest practical moment, and inflict such punishment as may be necessary under his direction.
16. The Deputy Warden shall select from the trusty inmates a sufficient number to compose a well regulated fire department and assign them to their respective duties and stations in conjunction and in harmony with the Chief Engineer. Frequent tests of the fire apparatus shall be made and frequent false alarms given and runs made to test the efficiency of the department.
17. He shall take careful invoice of all personal property brought in by prisoners, and deposit it with the Chief Clerk for safe keeping. It shall also be his duty to store and preserve in as good condition as possible the clothing worn by a prisoner when requested to do so by said prisoner.
18. The Deputy Warden will assign inmates to the several employments and make details of inmates to act as runners, messengers, or distributors of material in shops or elsewhere, and will decide how far such inmates may converse with other inmates, and give them such permission if any is necessary, through the officer in charge. He will, each day, make a written report to the Warden, giving the number of inmates on the previous day and how many were employed.

Deputy Warden Backland's Office, with Inmate Clerk