The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-13
BLACKWELL'S ISLAND DISCIPLINE.

GAFFNEY AND BRUToN TO BE ARRESTED.
The escape of four convicts from the Penitentiary
on Blackwelrs Island within q week has suddenly
and very forcby called the attention of the public
toward that institution. That all Of these escapes
should been made in broad daylight has caused
an almost universal exclamation of establishment
throughout the city. The Of Keeper Kelly,
who overturned in the river in the presence of
fully five hundred people on the New York shore.
not one of whom lifted finger to retard the escape
of the two convicts the rescuing party.
was it is said by the Penitentar authori-
ties. the first of it's kind The other case.
where two keepers are charged with getting drunk
and allowing convics to walk ashore. is also said to
be the first of its kind and the most outrageous
breach Of discipline eyer entered the Island
records. A reporter Of the HERALD called yesterday
on Warden John Fox. who expressed his annoyance
at the escapes in very emphatic language. He had
just returned from the city, where he had been
gagged all day hunting for the convicts and in
making charges against the dereict guards.
'Mr. Fox" said the reporter. II have called to
learn something about the force Of guards and keep
ers and the discipline maintained at the Peni-
tentiary.'
1--WE have about sixty FIVE keepers in all-that is,
including guards and some female keepers"
"By whom are these persons appointed?"
''By the Board Of Commissioners"
'what is your system of guarding the prisonersa'
They are never alone except when locked up in
their cells. We have guard boats around
Blackwell's Island Each boat contains one guard
and two prisoners. In choosing these prisoners we
always tell. OF course. but we do best"
''You have other guards, of courseY
Oh yes the men are divided vide into gangs OF from
number of keepers to watch the prisoners. We gen.
orally try to have about twenty men to keeper. II
there forty fortyive prisoners three Keepers
and when we have sixty men sometimes have
four keepers 1t Is all according to the character of
the and the terms of the service they are here
for"
THE DAILY ROUTINE.
'what is the daily routiner"
eat Ave O'Clock in the morning each man Is taken
from his cell to wash. and when he has finished is
returned aud locked up. Then a number OF keepers
for their breakfasts. When they through the
others CO. and when they all done the prisoners
have their breakfasts. This is about six o'clock
After breakfast there are always some prisoners who
want to speak to me about one thing or another;
after which the Doctor examines those who claim to
be sick. Those sick to work sent to the hos
pital, and the others again locked up. They
then ready for work. The keepers roll is called, and
every keeper must answer to his name. The guards
are next sent out, and when sufficient time has
elapsed for them reach their stations the prison.
ers are marched off by gangs of thirty the parade
ground. where they are drawn up in line. The dis.
charged men then fall out and the new Corners
assigned to working gang according to what they
marched to their work by the guards and keepers"
care the keepers always on dnty?
always in the daytime. They are divided into
two divisions One division is of one night and the
other the next On their of nights they can go to
the city"
''The prisoners are all locked up and there
three guards patrolIing the inside Of the prison.
There are besides about twenty keepers in reserve
who can be called on ut any moment"
slow many escapes have there been lately?"
''In 1877 we did not have one. In 1878 there were
A OF
year we have had SIX, hve Of whom are ut large.
That includes tho TOUR late ones"
els Kelly still suspendedY"
eyes. he is; and he'll stay too until fully
investigate his conduct. We have never had such
it be helped. lie will be tried before the Com
missioners."
..How about the other case?'
THAT is the worst case we have ever had. and Is
most shameful one, too. The way the story is told
me is that the police found Keeper Patrick Gdffney
in his boat the New York shore alone. His
had escaped from him and he drunk. They also
state that the prisoners were seen changing their
clothes in the boat before they landed. John Bru-
ton, the other guard, took his boat around to the
west side of the Islands thing he had business
to do-and changed one of his men for Gaffnoy be-
fore the escape. This looks very suspicious"
MUCH LIKE IT."
''Then you think that Gaffney and Bruton con-
nivcd at the escapcy
cit certainly looks very much like It,"
'What are you going to do about ity
II am going to stop such work ut this institution.
have had warrants issued to-day Tor both OF these
men for aiding and assisting In the escape of these
prisoners. hope to get evidence enough to convict
them, and then have got two striped suits over
here that will fit them nicely"
"when were these men appointedy'
"Bruton was appointed March 70, 1872 and Gsff-
ney March 49,
"By whom?
"iSy the Commissi oners."
"Do you think you will get tho prisonersg'
"Oh. yes; we will got them sure. II Il takes two
years and costs me $500 out of my pocket, III
have those men back
"Are you in favor of the system Of guard boats
with convicts crewsY
"No am not"
HAS there been any proposition for changer
'Yes; we all want 1t changed. The Comm ssioners
are convinced that 1t should be and 30 am L.
How will you do it3'
''The only way to do IL properly is to have men
hired to row the boats, men who can be depended
on have u number of hrst class men,. IL always
could depend on my keepers and guards we would