The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-27
THE PRISONERS FARE WELL
Chicken and Fruit for Those Under
Warden French at Michigan City,
Handling of that Shooting Case-Ca-
pacity of the Insane Hospitals

The State Board of Charities, which met
yesterday in quarterly session, heard the
report of the secretary, Alexander johnson,
relating to his visit to the State prlsons
north and south. In the former, he re-
ported, TWO in provements had boon made
one the adoption of the free hour. the other
the direct complaint system. These. it was
said. are working we'll in the prison. and
are showing good results in the experience
of Warden French. Mr.. Johnson said
however, that the food cost of
the Prison North, of which Mr.
French is warden. Is cents per diem higher
than in the Prison South, because of the
greater waste in the former. The blame
was not thrown altogether upon the war
den, but upon tho insufficient kitchen room
and dining room, accompanied by imper-
feet service 1t was stated that the kitch-
en- department. of the Prison North neces-
sarily entails a great waste of food, but it
was suggested there are improvsments
which the prison board and Warden French
can themselves make operative.
In reference to the Prison South Mr..
Johnson dealt with the recent case
of sheriff shooting an escap-
ing prisoner, and sending him
to prison while so critically ill that he Died
soon after reaching there. The board did
not take 1t upon itself to censure any one.
but concluded to lay the facts before the
next Legislature. with recommendation
for action defining when officers may shoot
prisoners escaping. and what must be done
with prisoners needing hospital attention.
The officers of the Eastern hospital were
exonerated from any blame In the case of
tho accident to patient named Sheffield.
who was killed by train. The testimony
showed that in a state of liberty. essential
to cure. Sheffield had thrown himself in
front of the train.
The board considered the matter that
shall comprise the next report which is to
20 to the Legisla ture. 1t was decided to
make it show only the changes since tile
last report, avoiding the detail of the lat
ter. Plans will be suggested whereby the
tour hospitals for the insane she'll increase
their capacity 80 per cent. by the eXpend-
iture of per cent of their cost. The svs-
tenn to be recommended is already in sue
cessful operation in several contiguous
States. 1t includes the purchase of farm
Dor of certain classes of male patients may
be utilized with benefit to themselves and
with advantage to the food supplies need
ed. 1t 10 proposed to increase the capacity
of the Eastern and Southern hospitals by
feasible additions at moderate cost. In the
latter institutions the capacity can be
easily doubled.
The interests of the feebIe-minded and
idiotic Will occupy prominent place In
the report. Secretary johnson was author
lied to collect the essential facts. and will
visit all the institutions in the State. One
purpose is to shut off the supply of idiots,
due to intermarryinz of people of this
class. Tho board received the printed
quarterly comparative statement of the
State institutions for SIX months. The av-
erage cost per capita of all the hospitals
for the insane for SIX months. ending April
80. was S101.47; of all the charitable insti
tutions, el02.09 and of all the cor
rectional institutions, s72.0o. The cost of
per capita maintenance of the northern
prison for six months was S6o.44. and of the
southern prison $59.44. Guards cost about
s. more per capita (of inmates) at Michigan
City than at Jacksonville. Subsistence at
the former place cost $23. 20 per capita. and
at the latter Sl7.74. The northern prison.
ers evidently get more chicken and fruits,
as the cost at the northern prison for but
ter. eggs and poultry was SO cents per
CAPITA as against cents at the Prison
South, and 40 cents for fruits as against 3
cents at the southern prison. The report
shows that food per capita per day costs -
cents under Warden French, land cents
under Warden Patton. 1t was this state of
things that Mr.. johnson called atten ton
to.