The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-12
FEDERAL PRISONS.

MR.. FIERos REPORT ON THE EVIL OF THE
EXISTING SYSTEM OF FURNISHING FEDERAL
PRISONERS DISCIPLINARY ESTABLISHMENTS
CONTROLLED BY THE UNITED STATES RECON-
MENDED
United States Attorney Stewart L. Woodford has
received long report from his assistant. William p.
Fiero, regarding the treatment of United States prs
oners confined i'll the different State prisons. Mr..
Fero has been engaged during the past year investi
eating this subject. He reports that most of the
complaints have been lodged by discharged convics,
and should be dismissed groundess. At the same
time he is satisfied that there is great lack of that
true and dignity of discipline and
fair, impartial treatment Of United States prisoners
in these local prisons which the government has
right to expect. but which is in position to de-
mand; that often the most unjust infractons of the
safe rules Of prison life were committed. While
many if physically able, were obliged to work, in
one case IL respectfully connected convict
corted through the city streets in citizen clothes to
visit friends. and several so-called gentlemen were
allowed private table and occasional of their
citizens clothing VIGOROUSLY bad convict in the
Kings County Penitentiary found his sole and agree
able employment i'll the exercise of officers trot
ters' on the quarter-me track within the prisons
outer walls.
COST OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM
He states that the food allowed is exceedingly
and in quantity far below the standard of fair
worth one fifth the amount paid by the United States
as the actual and reasonable cost OF the subsist
eDce OF a prisoner. He submits that the peace and
dignity Of the United States demand the establish
ment of the proposed prison, and claims that the
present lack OF organized power in the general gov
ernnent to adequately punish the constantly ncreas
ing nfractions OF its laws beges spirit of disregard
for the manner OF enforcing its penalties and. again.
1t could not be known when the State would close its
doors against the general government and refuse
to receive their convicts. Mr.. Ficro finds that there
is broad distinction in the character of the offences
aruue al he
mode and place OF punishment should be correspond
ingy distinctive The question is to the duty of
the government to these untortunates and he finds
only one answer-a strict classification of prisoners
only to be done by the establishment of federal
prison. Mr.. Fiero believes that this scheme will
meet the approval of the Department of Justice but
meet much opposition in Congress on the ground of
economy, and claims at the same time that it is All
economical measure.
ECONOMIC ASPECT.
Referring again to the Kings County Ponitentia-y,
he shows that one-tenth of the expense of maintain
ing that institution for the year 1S77$ TO- 454-was
credited having been received for board United
States convcts and it had only thirtieth Of the
average number of prisoners. He further found that
1t cost the Treasury about $500 year for each prs-
aud that the cost excluding carnings for Keep
ing prisoner for the year about S120 He claims
that after careful computation actual figures. thai
allowing the United States the fair proportion
OF the earnings to which they are clearly
entitled, this Peentiary should have received from
the government more than $500. Another con-
sideration was that the majority of United States
prisoners intelligent and skilled laborers aud
i'll for long terms and were of course more efficient
and valuable in the shoe manufactory tthe only
victabor) than the great army of "trampers." Mr..
Fiero estimates that such structure is required
would cost about S500000 He remarks that the gov
eminent already has several eligible sites tor such
institution, and instances Governors Island as
entirely under federal jurisdiction. He says the
number of prisoners would reach from three hum
dred to five hundred, and the actual expense OF the
maintenance of this prison would be no more than
100000 year. and the product OF skilled labor would
reach from S5OWO to S6O0OO, making it. all prisons
should be, self-s ustanng ii not "a revenue
ana at any rate saving OF SloOOOO per annu to the