New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-11
BLACKNELLS ISLAND IN SUMNER

HOW THE INMATES OF THE WORKHOUSE AND
PENITENTIARY KEEP COOL.
When engaged in solving trying to solve the
important problem OF how to keep cool. probably
few New Workers give even passing thought To
how the inmates of such institutions as the peni-
Tertiary and workhouse manage TO night the heat
OF course they are not put there 10 enjoy them
selves but II Is interesting to know how people can
get along without ice water. cooling drinks electric
fans or any of the numerous means or neutrazing
the heat which the community at large employs
Tribune reporter recently visited Blackwells
Island and inquired to the condition OF the In
mates during hot weather. Though intensely hot in
New-York gentle breeze was playing over the
island which took the edge of the suns influence
and made IL far from unpleasant. Superintendent
Dunphy of the workhouse laughed at the idea OF
the inmates suffering any discomfort from the heat
The joval superintendent said that he never looked
over at New-York on a no; day without plying the
unfortunate inhabitants. who did not have the good
fortune to be on Backwes Island. He thinks
that It is the coolest place in the State In both
the male and female wings the cells are situated
next to the outside wall. and the windows look OUT
on the river There is wide corridor in the
middle of the building. with Of cells in tiers
each side of IL. Inasmuch as the doors are vlr-
tuay gratings and the windows on one side OF tho
hall opposite those OF the other. with nothing
between them TO check the draught the ventilation
Is all that could be desired The building is cool
and clean. As the inmates came down from dinner,
the reporter watched them and they all appeared to
be remarkably comfortable and in good health.
One convenience which helps them considerably In
hot weather is the shower bath which can be used
whenever prisoner feels inclined The inmates
clothing does not differ materially from that worn
in winter. does the diet No fruit is given
them. nor any ice water
on the whole the workhouse prisoners have not
much to complain of on the score of heat. while
their surroundings infinitely superior to the
tenement-house jewellers the East Side The cells
absolutely clean. and though there four cots
in each. the present unusually small number Of
prisoners allows the authorities 10 put only two.
sometimes one, in cell.
The convicts Of the penitentiary not well
off. In the first place. the prison is much over
crowded. The cells. which small, have in many
cases two men in each. who sleep in cots one above
the other Instead OF a central corridor. In the
workhouse. the cells in the middle of the build
ing. with corridor running all round them. This
does not allow of such thorough ventilation as in
the workhouse though IT makes the prison much
more secure. The dietary arrangements are much
being given. III There IL no shower bath. and the
convicts not allowed in the bathtubs more than
they are sent twice week into the river. inside an
inclosed space; The Enclosure Is known among the
summer by the convcts is light and cool. being Of
thin duck and loosely made. While working in the
open air they wide straw hats They work
A body OF men were engaged In pulling a heavy
roller the gravel road. exposed to the blazing
sun, and with the perspiration streaming down their
faces Another row of men were standing up facing
the wall in the cool shadow of the main wing.
The reporter asked what the men in the shade
were doing. and the keeper explained that they
would work and being punished for II. At
first sight the punishment appeared TO be Of rather
burlesqU nature, and far preferable TO the work.
The keeper said however that standing In a
for any length of time is quite severe punishment
for lot OF Many of them that they
would prefer the dark cell to standing facing wall.
for three hours.
At first the prisoners complain great deal of the
lack Of ice water but after they have been obliged
10 do without II for some time the craving passes
away and water at normal temperature is sufii-
cient Quench the thirst.
The old men and women in the almshouse
to get along comfortably during the summer.
Large tents are erected on the lawns with
OF benches underneath. upon which the inma ties