New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-20
ABUSES IN LUDLOW-ST. JAIL.
PREsENTMENT BY THE U. s. GRAND JURY.
A SHARP ATTACHMENT OF THE MANNER OF TREAT
,,o .Nn vrrDrvG PRISONERS.

The United States Grand Jury YESTERDAY
handed GO Judge Benedict IN tne III, sbey attacked
the MANAGEMENT of the Ludlow Street SaI Wnicn tSe
pr tS saeS coHr as Well as for those confined IN the
custody of the sheriff OF the county H. Terbe Is tne
Gnd Abel &
calling the attention Of the Court 20 the @ - thc
Department OF Justice Washington and to the muni-
ca authorities The treat
ment Of witnesses and prisoners rsan n9vn as the
Of he usee states a m tb 5ee SV 81 Te
tigaton has resulted in disclosures OF SO anu
sepnr them for the consideration the Court The ex
listing condition OF things as we ner is not y. S
Sps again at the October term 1879 the negligence and
abuses of the institution were made the SUBJECT Vi pIo
plants from persons subjected to it. extraordinary
discipline have led to frequent ana and the
marshal OF the district So far we can learn none OF
tS @ay S 60 sy
The relations the United states to this and other
no contract or agreement except such Is Implied IN
the respective statutes OF the state an dthe united
United States are restricted the OF the local jSs
and penitenares where the Legsaturs OF s made
the duty of the keepers Of county prisons 10 Oence
amy Rer;GSn e duly United Gmii States by any OF is
courts or ocers the United states supporting the prs
makes applicable to prisoners all the provisions oil
law relating to the confinement Of prisoners ana con
vcts committed by the courts aud ohcers OF the tate
Among these provisions are the following: Separate aud
distinct rooms FOR persons detained Tor a ana persons
under aeutence prisoners to be kept apart from one
another and not allowed to converse among themselves;
sufficient quantity OF inferior but Wholesome loU1
be furnished, with the privilege 10 those await
ing trial OF procuring other subsistence at lhelt
own expenses separate apartments for female prisoners
SEVERAL CLASSES OF PRISONERS
The prisoners committed to Ludlow Street jail under
United states process Of several classes For ex.
Sccs,sed Of crime aud awaiting trial. 49, Persons con-
Ycted Of crime and awaiting sentence 90 Persons u-
aesses Although the statutes OF the United states
authorize the commitment OF witnesses Ia uela1s o. ca
aud in terms direct their reception and custody 80
TAI 0nS use so Of A by the taed states as place Of
punishment At this time but one InGlTdua Is thers
states' The warden OF the ia periodically presents to
The United States marshall Of the district his &C.
rate of rs cents per diem besides turkeys fees and
paid at this rata compensation IS %G,S8
the ,5at paid aSy oSer
prison east Of the &lassspPi RIVER and which equals
ar nearly approxmates we believe, that paid for day
board at many respectable IN TINS cy
It certainly seems adequate Tor Sn apus and
served WV
,aI hH0 seems Ss0 to be Conducted Is to compel in:
mates to take board at the keepers e opSs mare
the ratIous provided for those not doing 80 are sned IN
Tn9y GHfn'g2 m not The
on knives and forks Is unknown. For breakfast aD0ut0
S"scrIpon ard strcay called coffee, are delivered at
the cell door supper the same, the official desgna-
srv dinner h similar lump OF bread with nasty plate
Of soup dipped from kettle which IS carried from door
lStorvS SGCr governed BY the eaprces chance
or luck, tue recipient nds shred Oh meat or
faulty II capable OF the inclination, 10 ask IoI
more ON Friday broiled fish takes the place OF soup A
liberal estimate OF expense OF the provisions would
be Is cents day for each person. -,
Care is taken by attendants TO present TO the dis
fled
meagre diet and the comparative luxury open TO MN u
dental privileges aud advantages that such course will
secure Among them is pOsponement OF the tine at
which he shall be locked IN his cell from p m until
1890 D. M aud the privilege OF walking in the jaiiyard
Naturally only the o6durate the unilSnded ana tne
having money or the mems Of procuring IT, and OF being
uncomfortable than that of hts neghbor OF whom no hope
IL entertained that lac can be transformed into paying
boarder. .
The cells are arranged upon tiers VARYING ~ degrees
ceiling I'M ths respect furniture OF each Is an iron
cot ioathsome straw mattress infested with Vermn,
the walls are stained and cracked aud every creyiee in
habted By ts separate colony OF bugs Under saen cir
cumstances sleep possible only TO those OF extraord-
yi are served the corridor, swept washing IL done
and some other services performed by detail from
the prisoners known rs the gang" The privilege or
being thus detailed seems coveted for which prs
ones are willing 70 pay keepers s. TO $40 each IL
involves dispensation FROM some OF the lndecences,
depnvations and tortures 10 which other inmates are
snbected exemption until 1890 y. IN. from confinement
10 cells and opportunity of the bar until that
desire some mitigation of their treatment but are
pecuniary unable to attain the position OF boarders.
The opportunity OF excessive Indulgence IN lntoxcat
Ing drinks wanting, and Is notnegeced either by
the prisoners or their keepers credible witness tsst
nes that five consecutive nights, covering NE entire
period OF his confinement one OF the Keepers came on
duty very drunk SIn a 70 s se pentepary drank
There seems he limit restriction upon the supply
only beer can be obtained at the Hole in the
wall" ny which designation the par Is Known, ana
There is no difficulty however IN obtaining by means OF
moderate gratuty to an attendant all tue liquor one
chooses to pay for aud with singular propttude ana
OTHER CAUSES OF COMPLAINT.
tory TO winch we have referred, touching in
between prisoners further than the posting OF
civil prisoners and United states prisoners is not
allowed 1t appears to be the duty OF nopody 70 prevent
have examined prisoners detained as Witnesses VINO say
yersation with the defendant. Before o o'clock all
prisoners mnS Sded Inf for emSs
isolated Instances OF misconduct which do |
upon Which the jail is managed.
In April the marshal OF the district under author
ity FROM the Department OF Justice caused practical
pertinent Of the conduct and discipline OF ths jail to DO
made by 9s TaSpa su
lecling himself ~ commitment aud confinement under
an assumed name and for pretended offence. This |
Gentleman we nave personally examined and have been
furnished with copy OF his report, the statements III
which we Una corrODOaleu ny tue tosthoy oI otncr
Witnesses With this presenment submit his report
In which abuses that came under MS personal ooser
walton and within his personal experience are set forth
with intelligence, vigor and directness.
We cannot too earnestly express our CONNECTION that
remedy evils which have believed 10 10 be
our duty to call should be seduousy sought for
and promptly applied In order that the United states
may be relieved Of the charge that cOuntenanees out
RACES not only upon persons accused and presumably
Innocent but also upon the unoendng and unfortunate
SPECTATORS OF crime penal Institution would
be permitted TO pcrpetrate upon conVicts. III would
seem 10 mportance, and We accordingly recommend,
thai the authorities in charge OF the Jail be required II
practicable to stpulate, by formal aud express con-
tract with adequate sanctions for It's enforcement FOR
the propor keeping subsistence or and that
N additional leg station necessary enable IL to be
done Congress State Legislature or both be APP
piled 10 for the same.
We further recommend that copy Of this present |
nen NAV be furnished the Grand Jury OF the city
nnnitv M York within Mhnse pnrtlculnr