Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-08-10

REPORT.
At the close of the annual visit recently
made by the governor and council to the State
Reform School at Westboro', it was ascertain
ed that three of the inmates Of the institution
were then undergoing punishment, for certain
alleged offences, by confinement in what were
termed the lodges, within the walls of the
building. An interview was had with the
prisoners, andait was found that three boys
Edmund Roach George IL. Nourse, and Philip
Breason, aged about II or IL years old, respec.
tvely-were confined with hands manacled, in
separate cells, which were neither lighted nor
properly ventilated. On being Intercepted,
Roach stated that he had been thus imprison-
ed about eight weeks for an alleged attempt to
fire the building with matches found upon
him Nourse stated that he had been confined
about thirteen weeks, for an assault with his
fists, committed with others, upon one of the
officers OF the institution i'll order to obtain the
keys and escape therefrom +; the third prison.
err, Breason had been confined about twelve
| weeks for running away.
Time failed to pursue the investigation farth.
| er on that occasion, but at a subsequent meet.
ing OF the council, the above state Of facts were
submitted to the board, and the undersigned
| were appointed a committee to proceed forth
with to the institution, investigate the case of
these boys and the discipline enforced therein
The committee Immediately attended to the
duty assigned, and submit the following re-
port =
| 1t was ascertained, on arriving at the nst
tuition, that one Of the prisoners, Breason, had
| been released. lie had been imprisoned in
| solitary confinement, in dark cell and fetid
atmosphere, for about thirteen weeks, for no
other offence than an escape or running away.
Part of this time, namely, four weeks, accord.
| ing to his own statement, he was fed on bread
and water only. The superintendent thought
the period was less than two weeks but this
is not the only discrepancy between his state.
ments and those of his prisoners, as will appear
hereafter.
Roach and Nourse, the other offenders, were
still in the cells, and one or both still mana
cled These cells should be seen to be appre-
ciated. They are in the nature of cells Within
a cell inasmuch as a narrow, dark corridor or
passage way is built along the entire front of
the range Of cells, is locked like them, and OBJ.
structS and almost entirely intercepts all light
and fresh air which might enter the cells. The
cells are therefore, Of course, darkened all
light that can enter comes from the obscure
corridor or passage way in front through a
small aperture over the door of each cell, and
a candle was required by the committee in or.
der to examine the interior of these gloomy
abodes. AS to ventilation, the only fresh air
comes, not from out Of doors, but from the Gel.
lar, through small aperture at the end of the
range Of cells, and passing along their rear.
enters each cell through a narrow opening left
between the floor OF the cell or the box which
constitutes the only seat of the inmate, and the
wall of the building The practical effect is
that prisoner is wholly deprived OF light and
fresh air. 1t is believed that these cells are
unusually small, even for tenements of like
nature, in any criminal institution; their length
is eight feet three inches, their width three feet
four inches the air must be many times
breathed over in short time, and must be un.
fit for respiration by any human being. There
Is no bed, and the inmate sleeps on a banke
laid Oh the floor
1t is in such black holes as these that thes
and Other boys sent 10 the reformatory care