New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-30
PAINFUL STORIES OF PRISON LIFE.
LETTER FROM CIVIL SUIT PRISONER IN LUD'
LOW-ST. JAIL.

LETTER FROM CIVIL SUIT PRISONER IN LUD-
LOWEST. JAIL.
The following letter comes to us we know
not from whom or by whom. Inquiry was made Of Mr..
Gardiner the Jail superintendent as to its author and
authenticity, but he could give information to
either. He OF the opinion that 1t written out
side the prison. We have satisfied ourselves however,
the absolute truth Of Its statements and vouch for the
correctness OF all which we publish.
To the Edtior of The Tribune:
Marshslea Prison, but Ludlow, wing with 1t in its
DAYS is tolerated IL our free ne and SsgRs
nefarous practices shrouded by this prison Let him
within these walls, and before his descriptions his
hearers will be aglast. Hardly will they credit that his
tales of horror hearsck ming rOmances of real e
A ana fcn 'c ciyzaon Little do the crowds that
easy Walk stands building where crime, misfortune,
and ne, grim ally wnnt 6s are n ngd ao Ss @
ness the alleged offender against the State and the Grim
inatey mingled under one common rule, exposed
mpartialy tO the same amount OF suffering the same
or classification. Let them picture to their minds
debtor who has means placed at his disposal or STATE
Ts% nothing to shock their for these pfscn
can walk into saloon, where they can enjoy the
and occupy convenient sleeping apartments, at goo
per week. or they can be comfortably boarded at SIS
ure is that Of poor debtor struggling in the battle
of iife and overtaken by the misfortune Of debt for
dead Of night from his wife and family and consigned
to q small paved CELL destitute OF everything but an iron
strecher with filthy mattress stuffed with straw, upon
which is thrown rug, foul from long usuage The man
who enjoys SF Sa bs 81 RS Ths po8s
aud varied, that Of the latter the poorest 80 with
t tho pnrDOse Of aiding the law Between him, the
poor debtor, the alleged state offender and the man
charged with murder there is shade Of difference in
treatment whatever that the latter has the door Of
his cell closed during some hours OF the day When In
the corridors at other periods the suspected criminal
nd tha yrt agaust him minRle together
they please witnesses are paid certainly they are
dE tSer FOOD % but Is this Compensation for their treat
ment and long incareerationt
hearted man. who had been before court in his
late employer for non-psyment Of wages and making
away with his furniture On the steps OF the court he
he has beef for months and he is left cruelty the dark
as the Of his capture and imprisonment In the
adayts against debtor there Is an assumed charge OF
fraudulent Intent but when cast into Ludlow he lies for
months 1t may be for years without thst intent being
Counsel to e adavits; he uneOnsttuO9ally
debarred from any hearing from any defense ana ne
spoIIed Alas the miserable waiting the blank from
day day the hopefor hope clings to the last the
t tuture Gan life be more embiteredi He is pros
trate-enurely utterly hePless-at tho mercy o. one
mpacable in his WILL and who has no heed LOT sunerns
thirty Of the debtors incarcersted here are married
and have children innocent and defenseless ones
left destitute Immeasurab worse on Is the GeGtor
than prisoner Charged with crlmel Inc
when the sitting Of the Court comes round Is put u2on
his trial; he has fair and qnprelnocea nearing, am
Innocent he 10 acquitted. But for the lmpoyerlshed
debtor there no trial. defense, no means OF excu
nation. Ruined in all man holds most DEAR tnere ID
nought left him but the gradual sinking Dencan despair
In ali modern prisons strict attention is paid TO eean-
meas and the inmates provided with necessartes In
Ludlow the only cleansing place Tor the prisoners Is
ANAL roon nine feet by three, on the basement MOOR
In the cells there neither SOAP towels, nor basiI not
a stool or bench-nothing but the beds and pan to
carry ops and the time to be used for the
81 nature. The mattresses and rugs are never
aken from the cells to be aired for the yard Is appro
nrated TO the boarders who pay literally. Thus the
ceis become tainted and the filthy beds the harbornS
place for yermn The cells are mostly ten feet by eight
hsv contain two inmates generally, but sometimes three
and four have been placed In them-wtnesses debtors
and alleged offenders against the State Unfortunately
There Is no organised medical attendance, and-on,
hishope and clergy shame to Christian and-no cler
cal visitation, and no Sabbath service OF any KIM or
form. -, .-..u,n. uo A.
not hold the officers accountable. They act execuiVey
and IL B to be supposed under some recognized authority
Their repulsive duties discharged by them Ily as
we'll as they could be by Others II similarly directed
From Mr.. Gardiner the clerk or superintendent many
OF the prisoners have met when they have applied 70
him. auch consideration In his limited power The
keepers do not seek by any undue 70 increase
the misery of position. We know nothing OF those
who wied real power but they arc responsible for
the want Of all organisation and the poverty and hth
ness OF the arran gements.
II 10 believed that the Jail yields about $4,000 per
that s disbursements cost about 6000 and that
the large surplus divided somewhere Yours respect
fully ONE OF THE DEBTORS
STATEMENT OF A CIVIL SUIT PRlSoNER-AAL-
TREATED AND swINDLED.
A gentleman who has lust been released from