New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-20
SING SING STATE PRISON.

The situation of affairs at Sing Sing Prison
has materially changed for the better since the revolt
among the prisoners which occurred several weeks ago
Taking into consideration the number OF desperate char
acers that at present confined there is fair TO say
that Mr. Nelson the Warden, who during s entre llia
has lived I'm the immediate vicinity OF the Prison u listing
every in his power 10 improve the discipline OF
institution, which 20 say the least has Oeeh Ney az
during the past few years There j. no prison IN tbs
United Stated that contains the same proportion OF
vicious criminals. Many OK them nave served previous
terms aud ON their return are thoroughly acquainted
with all the incorrigiDle cOnycts, with whom they
are always attempting 70 FORM oYyl'phaclee
riably attended with fatal results. Ia
among Que thousand five, hundred conyic,s r.
to Immediately enforce stringent regulations Win vac
present guard would not succeed on approach
Ing the outer chain OF seunes u Is plain 20 be seen that
they more alert and observing Than Tor some TINS
past Visitors suspciousy scrutlni1ed ana tLeit
Warien's Office TIE free aud easy % the two
convicts that passing IN aud out OF the hall
be conducted through the prison uum.takabe evI
dence that there very little n any humliy among
tions could he enforced only by positive cOmpul,on In
room adjoining the Office three ccnycts conyerng
with parties who had called % them Que Of the VIZ
itors was ged mother, who, while holding the hand
OF her errng son appeared 70 be pleading Win MN 20
he IN ght thereby executive ccmency and again
be restored to citizenship Two other visitors were
Of age his friends were fashonablY attrcd and by
careful observer could be seen that they we're his pals
presented al the prisoners they marched rom
the mess room. They passed out squads. with short
shutting gait which IL called the lOCk-step. Win few
exceptions. their faces hardened appearance, aud
each aud every turned his head to have good .OOs
az the visitors who standing IN the doorway. About
a dozen iron cages over their heads, which ars
locked at the collar band. This mild manner Of pun
skmeut for naturalization, disObedence 20 their
oyerseers After the COnvcts had all gone the room
was cleared. aud placed IN readiness Tor breakfast
on the following day. The dinner consisted Of soup
fresh meat potatoes and bread an Oi
good ouahty The hospital contained but SIX pa
tents an of whom with exception. were doing we'll
The room iu which cOuyIcts are punished, which has
been termed bv sensation writers The torture ruu contain
nothing very frghtiul 10 look a. The shower bath IL
still standing. but IT, has been abolished. 10 was
always terror eva docys and il to-day considered by
the officials the effective instrument for punishment
n properly used. Yesterday negro convict, who had
disoheyed his Keeper. tied up to hook m the wall
He was not standing his toes, nor was hc suffering
from any physical pain. lie was simply experiencing
strain on the muscles ~ his shoulders. HE
arms were confined bchiad With steel brace
lets, which were attached 10 q hook about the
hight OF his shoulders. Warden Nelson asked
him what he had been doing 20 get INTO such Tx. lie
replied Nothing" II turned out that he one % the
most sChevous cOnylcts ma the prison and required
constant watching The nine dark dungeons the hard
ness ~ which h only relieved by sawdust,
pied by the geaders o the late revolt Who each
led light ration consisting 81 piece % bread twice
a day They anything but peulteut, and Mr Nelson
remarked that u no could have hs way they should
main there during the rest of his administration Every
but constant vigilance eau only insure order and quiet