Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-05

LIFE IN srxe sfSc PRISON.


New York GAphic.l
n is a general belief that the State
prison al Sing Sing Is On institution
where the most atrocicus cruclties are
inflicted on the poor unfortunates, as
we'll as the old and hardened crimi-
mails who are confined within its
walls. This belief originated from
the horrible stories told for years
back by some Of the convicts
who had served their terms, and
who had endured some OF the tortures
Of the Jail. The prison investigation
by legislative committee few years
ago, while II had a tendency TO work q
mueh-needed reform in the discipline OF
the prison, also proved that where such
large number as 1900 criminals were
confined together in one Jail, there could
always be found few who would insist
on being obstinate and obdurate, and
ever ready TO disobey the prison
rules. II was also proven that some oil
the convicts are so rebellious that II Is
only when the most harsh punishment
is administered that the criminal will
realize that he has not been sent to
prison TO suit his own fancy, but to do
nenance for breaking the laws Of the
State; and the sooner he makes up his
mind 10 conform to the rules and regu-
lations of the prison the sooner will he
understand that obedience will make his
stay in the prison the easiest under the
circumstances.
About six years ago, when there was
o universal condemnation OF the cruel
ties practiced on the convicts by every
one in any way connected officially
with the jail, the warden in charge was
removed and Mr.. A. A.. Brush, Of
Poughkecpsie, was appointed in his
place. The new warden is q man Of
very fine and sensitive nature, humane,
hearted, and aliyeto the fact that
the unfortunates who were put under
his charge, no matter what their faults
may be, were at least human beings,
and he proposed to treat them
as such. The convicts at this time
were thoroughly dissatisfied with
everything and everybody about the
prison. They looked with very little
favor on the new warden, presuming
that if he was not any worse he must
be as bad as his predecessor. They
were not long in discovering that they
were mistaken in their opinion. Warden
Brush's kind face and CHEEKY voice
soon won for him the goodwill of
the convicts. James Connaughton,
an under-keeper, who was great
fayorite with all the prisoners
for his kindness and cOnsoling
way, was appointed principal keeper
and new era Of reform inaugu-
rated. The keepers were made to UNI
derstand that they could not for every
fancicd i'll or in a fit Of spite have any
Of the prisoners punished or confined
10 dark cell on their complaint.
Every prisoner who had complaint
made against him for disobeyiDg the
prison rules, refusing to work, or fail
ure to do his allotted ask was no longer
taken to the punishment-roOm, where,
without being allowed to say word in
his own defence, he was knocked on
the head with club, then padded,
and then thrown into dark
cell to suffer and moan like
dog. This was speedily done away
with, and Principal-Keeper Connaugh-
ton. when he has convict brought
before him on complaint made by
keeper, listens to what the accuser has
TO say, and he is then sent back to take
charge Of his gang. Keeper Connaugh-
ton then hears any explanation which
the prisoner has to offer. If it is not
satisfactory the principal keeper does
not punish the offender, but talks to
him in a fatherly manner, and endea-
vcrs to impress on his mind that he is
only prolonging his stay in the prison
by disobeying the rules and mourning
the chances of punishment. When a
second complaint is made the offender
is again warned, and the nature of
the punishment for third complaint
fully explained TO him. 1t is
very seldom that third complaint is
made, but when il is the convict is con-
signed to dark cell to mediate for
twenty-four hours. In eases calling
for extreme punishment the offender is
handcufied. He is then placed with
his face to the wall and the handouts
hooked to a movable board fastened
to the wall over his head. The board
is then raised till the offender is on his
tip-toe or Just Off his feet. The pain is
so excruciating and terrible that the
toughest and most hardened convict
will cry enough in less than thirty sec
onds. This punishment is an invention
of Principal-Keeper Connaughton's. 1t
is very effective, and never fails to have
the desired result.
The system now in vogue has origl-
mated a spirit of the best of feeling be-
tween those in office and the prisoners,
and the latter appreciate that they have
everything to gain by strictly adherlng
TO the rules laid down to them. Every
morning the warden and principal
keeper consult each other, and every
person connected with the Jail work in
entire harmony with each other.
A representative of the Graphic
spent several hours in the prison one
day last week, and through the courtesy
of Warden Brush and Principal
Keeper Connaughton made himself
thoroughly acquainted with the work
ings Of the Jail. On the road to the
main entrance TO the prison there were
several convicts attired in the we'll
known striped suits, blasting and
breaking stones under the eye OF a
watchful keeper. These are "short-
time" men, or men who have nearly
served their terms, and there is little
fear that they will attempt to escape, as
they would lose all the time allowed
them for good behavior on being cap
tured.
In the Office two young men who had
Just been brought from New York city
by a deputy sheriff, to serve terms OF
sixteen years each, were standing with
their arms folded and .heir faces to the
wall. The principal keeper stood by