New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-21
THE ASSEMBLY STATE PRISON REPORT.

THE ASSEMBLY STATE PRISON REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE WHICH
HAS INVESTIGATED SING SING PRIsON-PRo-
POSED BILLS.
ALBANY, March 20.-The majority reporte of
the Assembly Committee State Prisons was presented
today By Mr. Keyes, chairman. The report declares
not proven the charge that through brutal treatment
several cOnvics lost their lives, although Is admitted
that many abuses have existed which may be classed
under the head OF brutal and inhuman treatment Past
administrations are however In the main credited with
these evils The question of the reformation Of prisoners
In its relation TO contract labor system is discuss ed
and the conclusion arrived at that In order to carry
out the reformatOry theory the State should either
materially modify the present system OF prison labor OF
employ the prisoners work under its own control
In order 10 prevent injustice any particular branch
OF trade suggested that the labor OF the sonvics BIO
distributed among greater number OF mechanical en-
pigments
The committee In conclusion presents the following
recommendations:
l. That a commission be appointed TO investigate the
whole subject Of prison management particularly the
question OF prison aborreport TO be made by bill to the
next legislature. -, :. ,,. -.
q That existing contracts should be carried out but
the number OF prisoners employed should be reduced to
the minimum allowed by the terms OF the contract:
g. That the superintendent make regular ana thorough
investig ations OF the State prisons
d. That the warden exercise closer supervision over
o. That extra compensation be allowed prisoners able
and willing perform work IN excess OF the average OF
standard daily task the surplus TO TO the prisoners
family II he has one
O. That corporal punishment be strictly prohibited.
cable. according TO character or grade OF crime;
that the Commission be instructed report on the en-
pedency aud probable cost Of enlagng the prison at
o. That all prisoners DO allowed to communicate at
least once month with the superintendent Of state
Prisons and the Goyenortn writing
10 That extra efforts be made to maintain cleanliness
IL That instruction In common English branches be
provided for oOnyicts.
II. That the bills prepared by the committee proyid
ing that prisoners shall be compensated for extra work.
and that prison commission DO appointed, shall become
laws.
Messrs Taylor, Roche and Ernst sign minority report
agreeing with the conclusions Of the majority far
they CO. but condemning the sanitary condition OF Sing
Sing and the administration OF Warden Brush from the
standpoint Of humanity and declaring that he Ia not the
man to carry out reormatory They also
slider Superintendent Baker involved TO the extent Of
permitting gross abuses without taking action thereon
They the annulment OF all existing contracts
for convict labor II such DO legally accomplished.
Messrs Roche Taylor and Ernst also sign additional
minority report in which they declare that Sing Sing
Prison has been mismanaged inssmuch that there has
been disregard OF the healthul and sanitary
dton OF the prison. owing largely to the fact that the
contract labor system calls for so many men
that there not sufficient convics to carry ont tho
rules ali the efforts OF the management being 70 make
large financial showing possible. They further
express the opinion that Dr Hiram Barber should be
removed They also strongly condemn the contract sys-
TEN.
Accompanying the report Of the committee three
Providing every prisoner who upon his discharge
shall be entitled to communication time under existing
laws shall receive from agent or warden certificate
In writing setting forth the amount Of such time earned
by him. payable by the treasurer warrant drawn by
the Controller for sum equal to 81 for each q the arst
| for each succeeding month OF time go earned
Also allowing prisoners to mako overtime and per