The sun., 1891-05-03
ESSEX MARKET PRISON Is BAD.
Hut les Chleny the Fault OF tho Prisoner
the Keepers Say.

Hut It's Chiefly the Fault OF the Prissasrs.
the Keepers Say.
The presentmsnt by the Grand Jury against
the Essex Market Prison describes q genuine
evil. but one VIII ch it is not easy to remedy.
The Grand Jury frankly admitted that the Of
fensi,e features Of this place are mostly duo
to the inmates and not to the prison itself. The
Irison Ia kept clean; the inmates are not.
Tho character OF prisonsrs confined at Essex
Market will undoubtedly average lower than
ut any other place Of detention in the country.
The reason is plain. The district from which
the prisoners como IL the most densely popu-
lated on earth. It comprises the poorest NEST
degraded. and most vicious Of the entire city's
population II includes the whole east side
between the Bowery and East River from Chat
ham square to Fourteenth street Five police
prscincts send their prisoners there. They
are received just as they have been taken from
the streets or the dens where they were ar
rested. They are held al the Essex Market
lrlson only pending the disposition Of their
cases In the Essex Market Police Court. Often
they are drunk when admitted and hardly So
Der whom they leave. Only on Sunday is tho
time Of their detention longer than twenty
four hours. Then they 60 to the Tombs II
,hey q roplmitted for trial. to the Island II
80 srntence,i; or they are discharged.
r Is msse ness oay oon
vepient u have the prisoners who are to be ar
ts!gned before a 9lice Justice close. at hand
SQUADS IRON sMsh al the five police stations in
tbe district There Is no dock or prisoners
len 10 the email ,tuffy court room whore they
hearing, Tho sam. evil which is the chist
p make n !. Sut oi Inc question 70; tie prisoners
even 4 there was room for them. 1t fs bad
enough -yen wnen some Of them are arraignsd
one bs at slno ,;io ths presiding megistr.te.
9,ics building ntnrly sluare. separated from
!ne coult r. nj building BY about ton feet
sns ssnscs; It has tnia.i. nsrrow barred windows.
,na sIranssd in three double tiers in the centre.
MIN MIN corridors ABOUT Ave feet wide between
,i,em ,,s and 'hs H,,,er sails Three tiers on ono
ss'ue .or wo ION There are accommodations
paray a atn Sd.. .Sve rsoners Of each senNlthopt
so l. Ss room 'nsa .non.S S n hnt cell
Iecrs.ary to double up. The Keeper says It is
fonr ,y 70 wash cells and corridors three or
day, Dis nirciants aye freely nssd. o''''s
Mn Salns ING % ml.ns sl!s two tiers OF cells are fur
s,srro M VITA comfortable beds with mattresse.
c"Iy Su Stb bb'Sn1s nIs;, Is lowest tier is supplied
A. a. thls tor are placed prisoners who are
Slu"k Ghn is spi o,lensiIe. Mon VINO are sober and
~, ,ne momen's cells have clean peds in them.
itnets i.n y long plank bench running the
IN ,,rngta ~ the lower women's tier and some or
'Is h,sIsIe rrisoncrs arc compelled to nse that.
,r.n.,ncer ny oncers and keSpers say II would be I'm.
I,I rIII,GIlicabis 10 atIempt to clean the prisoners
ME- Me they are In transit to more permanent
asn".i,,nGo sO" 81 GonInement. It is NOT known what
airtys al Essex Marker. As soon as thoy resSk
" Ms Tomb. Or the Island. which is usually siT
esS e,snt nSnrs after they have been taken to
ma clean clothes are given them IN piaoe of
uH rags which they wore when arrested.
Han'ere Is crying need OF both q new Court
rroure an NV rrison for the east sido
n.ex Market ourt. moro than the prison. "a
ds.s dulsern .. The Quarters are far too small,
sE, eont. Ingy and Ill ventilated. A new building
ss.s .ns ior at least 100 prisoners Ia o NECESSITY.
~ ~ peesent prison Is managed about as we'll
ss,auo s,masould be. considering its unfayorsble To-