The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-10-24

LAVE EBENsBURG-
Dt6O5 A. ", connecting with Day Exp.
East and Phil Exp. West.
A7I5P. NJ, connecting with Phila. Exp.
East and Mail Train West.
LEAVE CREssoN-
1tg?4 A. NJ, or on departure of Phil.
Express West.
ag4O P. NJ, or on departure of Phila.
Express East.
THE CAMBRIA COUNTY JAIL.-In
consequence of multitude of reports
nrevailing relative to the horrors Of the
prison system of Pennsylvania, Governor
Geary some time ago appointed Mahlon
H. Dickinson, Esq, of Philadelphia, an
Inspector, with power to enter each of the
prisons of the State, aud obtain, by per-
sonal inspection and iutcrrogatorles, such
facts as might be thought interesting to
the Executive and the Legislature. MIR.
Dickinson has nearly completed the task
assigned him, and will in due time make
N official report to the proper authori-
0e.. Meantime, the editor of the Pnila-
dsyhia Press has been permitted to look
esr the gentleman's notes, and has pub
Bhed memorandum Of his observations.
The people of Cambria county will read
with blush Of shame the following COM
ments on the Jail at Ebensburg: -
"The prison to which we now ask the at
tention of our readers is the county Jail of
Ebensburg, Cambria county. In order that
an idea may be formed of the necessity of a
Jail in this county, we give the area. In the
year 1854 the Legislature created Cambria
county, its length being 35 miles and breadth
Is miles, thus giving an area of 665 square
miles. 1t occupies one of the most elevated
positions on the western side of the Allegha-
ny Mountains. The people possess consid-
erable wealth, their principal occupation
GtLg getting out lumber and agriculture.
uThe Jail a: Ebensburg was erected in
lSN Of brick, the building being 40 feet
square Like the most of the county Pris-
OHs the sheriff s family occupy part of the
building. Two rooms on the first floor are
assigned to the prisoners, each of them being
about Is feet square. The windows are con-
yeniently arranged for the prisoners, as they
open upon the street, and the occupants can
not only communicate with persons on the
outside, bu: receive any package that can be
passed through the bars, which are four in
ches apart. The walls are lined with oak
plank, and the inside partitions are of the
same material, thus affording great danger
by fire. The second story contains room
80 feet by 10 feet, having one small window
70 admit light and air, and in it are six cells.
The sheriff informed Inspector Die hinsOn
that this den, with the two rooms below, will
hold, without Cr0wding, sixteen prisoners
The only light and ventilation that this black
hole has is through the little window on the
stairs, 1t having been placed there to light
the stairs only. It is very low down, being
nearly on level with the floor, and affords
bui little of either light ventilation. No
water closets are in the cells, but aa ordinary
vessel Is used, and the tax or the endurance
of the prisoners is shocking in the extreme,
the atmosphere being of the most sickening
And sitting character In order 10 add ex-
gus!te brutality to the place, the doors of
Ile cells are very low, not more than FIVE
!eeti thus he space in the CELL from the top
OF the door to the ceiling, say FIVE feet more,
holds all the impure air, and the prisoner,
when standing or walking, must necessarily
4Rhsle it,
'The present sheriff considers the Jail IN
safe ~ insecure as far as detuining prisoners
IS concerned, and states thut before he occu-
pea The position many prisoners escaped,
Aae IN order to prevent this be either guards
OF chains them. Inspector Dickinson con-
'Vsed with the prisoners, who all expressed
-ssre to be sent to the penitentiary, con-
'--LAg, however bad IL might be, there was
10 possibility of its exceeding in inhumauity
Ie place they We're in.
There is a yard or enclosure adjoining
he Jail, but the wall is so low and rough
""I prisoners could climb it as easily almost
IS they could ladder; consequently they
ire not permitted TO be in the yard for fear
escape. Two men recently executed for
IuFuer were, IN consequence of the small
S%e ana unsafe condition of the jail-yard,
Iang IN an open lot n the rear of the prison.
ms was IN direct conflict with the act of
assembly, which requires that executions
slaI! take place within the jail enclosure, and
private. Inspector Dickinson so informed
ne sheriff, Who replied that he had board
snce put around the scaffold, or gallows, and
e pointed oct the place Of execution The
aspector found the gaIlows was erected on a
Ugh elevation, and, notwithstanding there
nay have been fence around it, all the in
1aoltants OF the county could readily have
,s slnessed the execution, thus clearly viola
"lg the letter and spirit of the law.
in conclusion, we will use the language
=. inspector Dickinson, who expresses the
GISsNoh OF good citizen and humane man
IN 1G!a 'nls Jail is unfit TO continue any one
. - ~ y Insecure, as is shown by the fact of
tho - lumber of prisoners escaping before
reIoP present Jailor took position. Should he
nirH. IS w Watchfulness all of the prisoners
et IaIea'e 1ea'e IN one night, and thus would be
Mol. O>e 10 riot plunder, or murder, ms they
j So feet inclined. The eiLizens of other
Unite ouHues have right to demand that Cambria
4, my with ITS great wealth, provide place
'ne saie-keeplng of offenders, and human
4 asks anu pleads with the people of this
TLunly Tor the proper care of the prisoners.
-ough they are offenders against the law
should be treated as human beings"
ne foregoing is severe yet deserved
n, vOuAe 70 the people of Cambria county.
though there are IN :. oo,,o-oI