The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-25
SING SING PRISON.
The Recent Revolts in the State Prison-A
PardOned COnvict's Opinion Of the Prison
OEcials-The Discipline md the Causes OF
NIufinY Among tie Priaanera.

The Recent Rev0lts in the State PrisOn-A
PardOned COnvict's Opinion Of the Prison
OfilciaIs-The Discipline md the Causes of
Mutiny Among tie Prisoners.
In view Of the recent outbreaks among the con-
victs confined in the state Prison at Sing Sing and
Of the agitation by the press and public looking to
the Introduction OF reforms, the following letter
from late inmate Of the institution will be OF in.
terest. The letter was written in neat, fluent style
of chirography and would induce the belief that the
writer was employed as clerk in the prison. and.
therefore, had opportunities Of informing himself on
the subjects Of which he speaks:-
NEW YORK, July %, 1859.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
For the past few days have noticed various re-
ports connected with the late revolt at Sing sing
Prison, and, having been discharged from there
the a. a be aa
there for the past four years. having been sentenced
for Ave years in 1885, but on account Of good be-
far as the month In which the last State election was
held, which elected Mr.. Holman Governor OF the
were connected with the prison were republicans;
but after the LIST Of January, 1862 things began to
ones on account Of the potcai standing Of the paT
ties. "All now, believe are democrats"
Mr. Nelson, the present warden, who came with
the new administration, Is man who knows moth
ing but his duty as warden In States Prlsonn He
is a man who makes no distinction among the prs
Oners and did at the commencement of his official
duties shut down all little favors that had been
formerly extended to the inmates. He allowed no
special letters to be written no extra visits, no ia
vOrs, and was very severe, but since that time he
has changed greatly, and understands exactly how
to treat the men IN the prison.
Now, 1t was reported, when he came into office,
that there was bill to be introduced into the Legis.
lature taking OIL third OF o mans time on account
Of the crowded state OF the prisons In New York.
wrote to their parents, wives and friends the Joyful
news; but 1t seems that although the bill passed it
was never signed, or at least 1t never went into
effect. Then the new keepers began to come, and
under the direction Of the warden they began to act
some Of the inmates were carried up TO the hospital
on stretcner from the shower bath. Things
were going on bad. This was during the
time the officers had everything their own way. but
the news OF the deaths by shooting and punishment
having come to the ears Of the public they were
change. We got better food were allowed more
nberties-but not as much as had formerly been
would be treated as formerly by the old party. And
here let me say that during my whole term OF i'm
prisonment previous to January, 1862 never had
harsh word spoken to me, and but once since that.
1t was in relation to letter. went TO the wardens
office to get permission TO write letter. and his
out" SO asked no more favors from that quarter;
but, as said before, he is better now he uses more
Judgment and discretion, and honestly think that
Among the keepers appointed by the Inspectors
there are some men who can neither read nor write
men who are there solely through the influence of
their friends in Albany. One man, a keeper there
calls himself repeater and says that he wotedo for
peater is or what he meant do not know; but
heard him pass the above remark and l believe It
was when | was In the contractors ONCE with
treatment are much better.
Now, then, you have got synopsis Of the affair
mencement OF the revolt, Thursday, OF dinner
a ss,6a dim dinner and in the morning Friday,
work. They went to the shop, and after
the difierent Keepers went around ana found they
They had been locked up there from Friday morning
uh. inc time leit. and all they had to eat was
pavs S S Sead about Two inches but they
are up there now do not know, but hope and trust
that there win be investigating committee sent to
the men 10 that place. | have seen keeper in the
yard strike out and hit man In the face and cut
mn ,d 30 .nas ne pied But am afraid that this will
De 700 lengthy ior your paper, and will give you q
statement OF the contract labor. You can Judge
IRON tnat now money matters are carried on there.
we wiil TAKE tne shoe sh0p-and / am pretty well
acquainted with that, for was EMPLOYED In It for
nearly four years or all my time. They employ
about 2lo men in II, at forty cents day. and when
left here Is list OF the work they were turning
OUT
WORK TURNED ONT
IL cases OF mems boots, at a. so per pair 10
pairs TO o case. Observation-Disclosures. - A6A9
II cases Of mems bamorals, at 81 Is per pair,
AZ pairs 10 q case. ..................... 1880
4 cases OF mems hunters, at 81 so per pair, 90
pairs 10 case. Observation-Disclosures. 800
~ cases VI mens proRsns, at q per pair, 60
pairs W 7" case''''..'. 1900
Total ,.s 1888
Vost VI iapoI, zlV men, az 40 cents per day .. "a
Balance to pay for stock and outside ex.
PSiAo~o. 49, GA
nave tired TO make the above as clear "a can
and hope you will be able TO understand it, AS q
matter OF course the men employed in the above
shop are aware OF the immense profits derived by
by tne contractor by contract labor and they feel
when the contractors will pay them Al FOR every
days task Or overwork they do. But let me say in
conclusion, that there are men land most of them
who know that they have Committed crimes acainst
the state ana that they are undergoing just SEN
fence ana are satsned SO long as they receive what
&c. But when there are 200 or 800 men ali hayin9
grab at II, they won't stand st. This is q
truthful account OF the whole affair and I
never voted In my life, and don't know that
| ever shall. and therefore have no Marty
feelings; but stil, laying aside the relative positof,
Of citizen and convict let us pingle mercy with
justice, and endeavor to make Sing Sing a place OF
rofn vvsRi potn NJ tbn ~ ~