The New York herald., 1845-03-03

The ELDRIDaK STREET PRIsoN.-We referred
the other day to the condition of this prison.
which we represented as being in a condition that
demanded the scrutiny OF the authorities Our re-
marks, brief and general as they were, have at
tracted great deal of attention, and the matter is
now the subject Of very general conversation and
inquiry amongst all humane citizens. Our former
remarks were made on the most authentic infor-
nation, but we have since taken the pains to make
thorough investigation into the present condition
Of this prison and its manage, lent, and deem it a
very incumbent duty to put the public in possession
of the facts which we have obtained.
In the first place, the Eldridge street prison,
even under the best possible management, is al
together unsafe and inadequate for the purposes of
place Of confinement. The greater portion Of the
building is constructed of wood and in case of fire.
there would be scarcely any possibility Of the un-
fortunate inmates being able to escape Besides,
the apartments are not at all adapted for the con-
finement of prisoners the means Of ventilation and
of preserving cleanliness utterly deficient, and
altogether the place is about the worst that could
possibly be selected as the abode Of such a number
of human beings as are now confined within its
walls But Of the management of this prison we
can hardly speak in terms of too indignant con-
demnation. II the authorities, whose duty it is to
inspect the prisons of this city, be cognizant of one
halt of the enormities perpetrated in this establish
ment, they merit the execration of every lust man
for permitting such state of things to continue
one moment after they had became acquainted
with it. The conduct of the turnkey towards the
prisoners is represented as being cruel in the ex-
treme. When the prisoners ask for fire, they are
told to 60 to bed and keep themselves warm. their
beds being miserable and swarming with vermn
The food OF the prisoners is brought from the
"Tombs," and is cold when it reaches them. One
man as on one occasion locked up for five days
in close room without air, because he dared to
ask for newspaper, whilst at the same time Polly
Bodne was living sumptuousIy in the best apart
ments OF the prison, entertaining parties of her
friends every evening. The female inmates are
obliged to work as menials, and the most abusive
language, and often personal violence used towards
the prisoners. In fact, the stories told of the ma
nagement of the Queens Bench in London appear
to be quite verified in this Edrdge Street Prison.
One great source of the abuses and evils in the
management of this prison, appears to be in the
permission given to the keeper to let the best apart
ments, and allow especial privileges to those OF
the prisoners who can afford to pay him the sums
demanded This must necessarily lead to the
grossest abuses. The reports of examining commit.
tees are not at all to be depended upon as convey
ing an accurate idea of the state and MANAGEMENT
OF such PRISON as this. The impossibility Of OBJ.
tanning full and explicit evidence against the keep
er from the prisoners who are entirely under his
control, is obvious. The only proper remedy is to
transfer the inmates to suitable prison, aud TO
abolish this wretched apology for jail at once.
Under the best management it would be a disgrace
to Christian country