New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-28
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

SING SING PRISON AND WEsCHEsTER COUNTY
JAIL-JUDGE COCHRANEs CHARGE.
In concluding his charge to the Grand Jury
Of Westchester County, at Bedford, Monday Judge
Cochrane said: With the examination OF such com
plants shall be brought before you your duties
would ordinarily cease but feel il my duty under ex-
lstg circumstances gall your attention 70 one or
other subjects which nSk should receive your very
serious consideration have on several previous ocea
Blons, az the different sessions OF is OOuit' Cu tu
attention OF the Grand Jury tho oonuuon " ouI
County Jail As public officer bsye Deen i Wy
strongly impressed with the insufcency w mora es
there for the detention Of criminals, ana, ~o 800
peclaliy, for the proper distinction between the
Hohg thQse held, not alone upon convection, but up0n
chaTges OF crime not yet proved against them Ii 49, in
my view, scandal and disgrace TO this county, rich as
Is ana populOus II is that the authorities have not
Ye mad the moral courage to cure this crying evil The
prisoners OF both prOmiscuOusy confined IN the
Jail from necessity. There are no separate apartments
LoI the men and women or for the juvenile ana he au
and hardened criminals There is no nirmary connected
T the JAM and deeency and humanity Doth dd lgqT e
matter has been too long neglected have beard ths
charge made Grand Jurors term after term not
OILY Dy my predecessor but by JuSGes Oh o h pin6
Court and say that this county is broad enough rch
SeCery ~ Oe Proydene las been meFc
Iu 10 those who live In the neighbOrhoOd or te JAIL ana
ness has occurred within its walls but shudder every
tlme these Summer days come on, iest Jhe c9olera,
beak out among the prisoners ana Turn ~ o pest
nodatOns at great expense, certainly at expense
which 10 would not be proper TO incur IN the name or
consideration and add to the great volume of formal
protests voice and denunCiaOn OF the neglect with
which this institution has been treated 1t is an i'm
pOrtan part OF the administration Of criminal justice 70
see that the places provided by law for the detention OF
criminals properly cOnducted-cOUduCted with all
humanity toward those ncarCeraed and, at the same
time with due regard to the security and comfort OF the
community at large, which has been OUTRAGED by inc
acts OF those thus incaTceraed and, while very large
share Of the attention of those having charge OF cmi'
mails confined In prison should be devoted TO theE reform
alton, the carrying out the sentence OF the law with all
due severity should not be overlooked, make these re-
marks because 1t is matter Of public noOriey that the
BRg Sing prison not conducted as 10 insure the
safe custody Of the criminals sent there Within the past
few months number OF its cOnYicts have escaped some
of whom have been recaptured but many OF whom re.
main az large 1t is 10 be presumed that the Oeers OF
that prison, far their Jurisdiction permits nave
made every effort 10 retake the fugves but II not
be generally known that 10 break prison and escape Is
felony, subject to severe punishment at the hands
into all where prisoners have escaped, IN
order that they may be indicted and brought here,
and, il they not returned, that bench warrant may
issue according law and they be sentenced the SEN
term OF imprisonment think 1t would also be proper
for you TO inquire into the recent strikes and muhes
among the cOnycts IN that prison, and 10 determine
you cam in the interest OF public justice AKA puDC Sc
oury the Of those outbreaks Various causes are
alleged in the public prnts some Of them rejecting IN
urOusly upon the officers Of the prison The officers say
prisOn and that under former administrations the dlsc
pne had become lax that when they attempted 20 re-
fern the cOnyicts reyOted In the hope hat they eouu
compel them TO allow things TO remain as they were
The public should know what has brought ABOUT the
present state OF affairs at sing sing prison. ana WHAT
steps necessary 70 correct these evils IN the future
II the officers Of the prison capable and dihgen u s
due them that that fact should be made clear; Dut
they derect in their duty and aid and abet IN the
escape OF prisoners, OF are SO cupaDy Negligent as 10
and should be indicted and brought here Tor trial. 90
not think you discharge higher public duty than
by patiently investigating these important subjects.