The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-21
A CRYING SHAME
Condition Of the Branch Prisons.
How the People of Tennessee Have
Been Disgraced.
Convicts Who Are Made to Go From
Bad to Worse.
Convict Camps Described as "Hell-
Holes" Of Cruelty.
Report to the Tennessee Legislature of
the Minority OF the Committees APP.
pointed to Investigate the
Penltentiary.
Special Dispatch to The Appeal.

Special Dispatch TO The Appeal
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Feb. 20.-Following
in the report OF the minority of the visiting
subcommittee of the Pententiary Com
mittee submitted this morning in the
House:
--NiNoR1TY REPORT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.
"We dissent from the views OF the ma
jority OF the visiting subcommittee OF the
Penitentiary Committee for the reason
that our views in general sense are at va
rance, and for the further reason that we
do not consider their recommendations
either full or complete. In consequence
OF this difference of opinion we beg leave
TO submit the following report as to the
main prison.
THE MAIN PRISON.
ave consider the buildings unsafe, I'M
sanitary and unfit in an extreme degree
for the use OF the penitcntary. From the
decaying condition Of the buildings and
the original insecure method OF construc-
ton escapes are comparatively easy, and
the danger OF a general outbreak is a con-
slant menace. The treatment Of prisoners
on the part Of the Warden aud lessees is
kind even TO slight indulgence, with the
exception OF punishment which will be
noted later on. The clothing and bedding
are good in quality and sufficient in guam.
tity. The cleanliness OF the individual
prisoners is compulsory, and with the ex.
cepion OF few naturally filthy persons
is plainly manifested. The food is album.
dant, Of ample variety, being served in a
clean and wholesome manner. IL IS also
frst-class in kind and exceedingly well
prepared. The health OF the prisoners,
considering the antiquity aud general UNI
fitness Of the buildings, is rem 'rkable
The lessee, warden and prison physician,
DIR. Glenn, are entitled 10 great credit for
the care and preservation OF the health Of
so large q number OF prisoners under such
unlayomhle circumstances. The hospital
accommodations are OF the most mclgcr
character, and so lacking in proper arrange
mcnt that there is no doubt Of many cases
OF serious disease being communicated TO
prisoners who may Ice in the hospital
suffering trifing ailments. Isolation of
contagious diseases Is impossible, and the
accommodation afforded by the hospital
Is so small that the physician Is frequently
cells in the wings, n method which does
not at all times afford the convict q fair
chance for recovery, and one which Is at
times unjust TO the physician in charge.
THE BEASCn PRISONS.
Concerning the branch prisons, they are
oil bad, but some arr worse. Coal Creek
aud Imam are constructed OF rough
board plunks, spiked up and down aud
upholstered aud unccilcd. In point OF
ventilation tho doors aud windows are
neither large nor numerous, but more
than an ample supply Is furnished IN the
cracks and splits Astounding ia the. floor,
roof and sides Of the chcaply aud care.
lcs.ly constructed shaEtics. The quarters
In both places are unfit for the
habitation Of human beings. especially in
winter, for the old stoves which are used
afford very scant supply Of heat The
quarters NJ Coal Creek are the worst and
are filthy, Tor while whitcWash is plcntyon
the outside, the inside looks ~ II Il mrcly
received a coat or even scrubbng. The
beds at this place are extremely dirty, be-
ing formed by raised platforms on the floor
surrounded by other platforms about five
feet above. These platforms are con.
slfurtCd In the same rough manner as the
buildings, and upon them arr spread the
llfAH anu WlAlhfANf ~ NlNH|.AN NNaNAAlfl AllAA
thev touch each other on the sides. These
ticks are extremely dirty, and the straw h
rarely changed. The blankets arc very
dirty, aud OF an extremely poor quality.
There may be- wool in them; but it would
require an expert 10 discover h. The COW
ering Is by no means sufficient Ia Keep the
prisoners comfortable. Tho food is limited
In variety, but good iu quality before be-.
ing cooked. Owing 90 the incaplCity or
carclessncss OF the prison cooks, IL is pre-
pared in q diurCCablc and unpalaiablc
manner Tor which there Is no excuse.
Complaints Of this among the prisoners are
general.
"For lnman almost the amc remarks
will apply rs 10 Coal Creek. These are Of
Tie same character but contradiction q
little better plan and kept much cleaner.
Tho bedding here is also cleaner but poor
IN quality aud insufficient The food Is Of
about tie same character as 90 Coal Creek
but Is spoiled in the cooking In the same
manner. At Tracy the quarters are con-
Uructcd on different plan, but the same
rough lumber aud In tie same loose man.
ncr. The wings In which The prisoners
arr confined arr constructed on the plan
Of the main prison. having tiers Of scpa'
cato cells. Those cells seem 10 be of about
the same size Of th0st Ui the main prison,
but have q solid door with small twickol
the hight Of mans breast. Were !, not
Cor the cracks and chinks between the
coils and in the cell walls, the ventilation
would be- horrible Tho wing are heated
by dilapijatcd old stoves aud they are in
sufficient ipr thr purpose. Tho bcdWcal
Is Of the same character rs ut the othet
branches aud Is insufficient In quantity
There \ much complJint<oi cold anonl
the c0nyicis even during this mild winter
The same remarks concerning the food up
ply 30 This prison as apply 20 Coal Crccl
and lnmJn, The cluy,cts
wIEN a. wOnR
In the miuus have imposed upon them
task requiring them 90 get ont ccrlnit
quantity Of ore each day. This task d
graded by the managers according 10 thci
Estimate Of The ability OF the convict
There is general complaint among all thI
ronvicls about this task. but from inquir.
and investigation We do not puil it 90
severe, though oyerWork may possibly b
compelled IN lew instances. Concern
inr thc clothing OF the prlsouers "a tliuI