The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-12
SING SING PRISON.

INVESTIGATION BY THE STATE PRISON 1NsPEc-
ToRs-THR SYSTEM OF YAyoRITIsM Ex-
PosED-wHY PRIVILEGES ARE GRANTED TO
DISMISSED
special meeting OF the Board OF Inspectors OF
State Prisons. convened for tho purpose Of nvesgat
ing alleged abuses in the management OF Sing Sing
Prison. term mated At that institution last evening
after session OF four consecutive days. During that
time the Inspectors have hcsitated to avail them
selves Of every legal their Efforts elicit iul
and reliable Information regarding Official irregularities
OF long standing, which have been well and widely
known outside OF the prison. To this end more than
hundred convicts were examined by the Board in
relation charges Of favorsm shown TO those Of tho
inmates who were willing to pay the subordinate OIL
for tho samc well OF allegations Of cruelty
said TO have been constantly prac,iscd the mpccu
Nous portion OF tho abrds In regard to the charge of
favort,sm to those OF tho convicts who return
therefor substantial quid pro quo. the investigation
has demonstrated that such state OF affairs does exist
in the prison. and that is carried to disgracciul
extent by many Of the keepers. 1t appears that tn
lack of cmployment-owing to which large
number Of have to be frequently
locked up during the day--tcnds materi-
ally to foster the greed tor gain on
occupants Of almost constantly closed cells only
too glad to buy with money the privilege Of lounging
about the prison grounds in the open air.
PURCHASING FAvORS,
This purchasing OF favors by men, many of whom are
perhaps driven the scanty OF subsistence
rum their wives and families at home in order that
they might not be crushed into despair under
the heel OF hearess and avaricious keeper,
VIII be, il possible clectually suppressed, by the
Inspectors, who yesterday removed twelve keepers.
True it Is that some of these beng republicans
discharge political grounds but equally
awaiting themselves OF their positions to In
crease their purses. Another existing. evil
laid baro by the investigation is the issuing
Of extra ratlons to those jailbirds who pay
for the same, and who arc allowed to prepare
and eat the Injuries obtained outside OF the
The Inspectors have issued stringent orders prohibiting
anything Of this kind in the future
1t is doubtful however, whether this prohibition will
be made universal or not as the Board has been unable
10 dec de whether the prohibition of catabes other
than prison fare shall extend to Stokes and Simmons.
1t is public secret that since his Incarceration
own table with the best to be found in the markets.
He has account with ono more storekeepers in
the village Of Sing Sing, where his orders are sent
almost daily This scarcely be wondered at when
II Is considered that letters from some Of tho
most influential men in the State preceded
his arrival at the prison. recommending him to the
Warden who was then In charge. Indeed, he
seems 20 possess outside influence which not only
strips the Warden OF discretion in regard to his mode
Of living but also to certain extent ties the hands OF
the Inspectors themselves III his case
While at the prison yesterday afternoon tho writer
associates, whether Stokes and simmons TO be
brought under the new rule In the matter OF prison
fare The Inspector promptly and with franKness
Piled that the matter had puzzled them that
they had not yet arrived at decision in the matter
Simmons, he added, was very valuable man in the
prison. worked aboriousy In his present employ
ment OF clerk TO the storekeeper II was not denied
that he was allowed privileges, being looked upon as
an invalid. Stokes, he said, was also useful clerk
in the bookbindery. where he earns forty cents per
day for the State 1t not claimed, however, that
he suffering from any bodily ailment Tho
HERALD representative having asked Inspector Clark
what no thought of the privileges granted to stokes.
that Official replied that II gross injustice grant
favors two OF the inmates while denying them
TO the remainder, addng:-"It Is only few minutes
since l respectable looking elderly woman
denied the qualification Of handing few deli
caccs to her son, whom she had come
long way to visit IN the prison. II II in my power
would have 1t otherwise 1t is difficult however, to
alter matters" IL Is safe to conclude that the two dis
tingushed criminals named will continue 10 enjoy all
the delicacies Of the recurring II
tancd that the charge OF cruelty 10 tho convicts
without foundation in fact
The Inspectors hope short time TO find work for
some hundreds OF the idle convicts. An arrangements
has already been made whereby the OF 200
will be secured to the State in the manufacture
Of hats. This contract will GO into effect
the men have been initiated In the art o. hat making
Already number Of tho ailbirds being trained for
their new occupation. shoe contract has also been
secured which will further decrease the number Of
idle men. In the female prison a contract for the
manufacture Of summer clothing is enabling fifty
OF the women to assist tho State supporting them.