Chapter 205

Quarantine Law

Chapter 205 is the state quarantine law authorizing the imprisonment of women with venereal diseases at the State Industrial Farm for Women. The law was established in 1917 by the Kansas Board of Health in an effort to control the sudden outbreak of venereal disease in the States. Between 1917 and 1942 approximately 5,000 women were imprisoned at the KSIF where they lived and worked alongside other female criminals. 

Gender & Class Discrimination

Women were disproportionately incarcerated for violation of chapter 205. While men were isolated at a quarantine camp at the state penitentiary, the state penitenitary has no records of men being sentenced to the state penitentiary for violation of this law.  

Poor women were particularly susceptible to imprisonment. Those with money could afford to discreetly seek treatment from a private doctor. Without money, women wanting treatment were forced to turn themselves in for a term at the KSIF.

May 1926 Recapitulation (receiving records)

White-27, Black-7, Total-34

               Lewd & Lascivious Conduct- 2

               Violation Chapter 205- 22

               Grand Larceny- 2

               Possession of Narcotics- 1

               Liquor in Possession- 1

June 1926 Recapitulation (receiving records)

   White-17, Black-5,  Total-22     

                 Violation Chapter 205- 21                 

                 Liquor in Possession- 1