New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-27
FOR A NEW CITY PRISON.
THE PRESENT DIsGRACEFUL CONDITION
OF THE TOMBS.

STRONG PRESENTMENT by THE GRAND il nj
RESPONSIBILITY OF FORMER BOARDS OF
APpoRTIoXMENT-A MODERN BUILD
ING on TIE OLD SITE FAVORED.
The committee appointed by the Grand Jury for
the July term to examine the Tombs Prison made
their report yesterday In the form OF presentmen''
which was handed in by the Grand jury to ke-
corler Gon. The presentment was In part as ioi-
lows:
1t is impossible to exaggerate the importance OF
providing an immediate remedy FOR a condition OF
things which has continued too long and which ~
Disgrace to any civilization and reproach u
We ma at the Tombs nearly 500 persons crowded
exsci census on July Is 1896 was Az prisoners.
Copying little more than half that number OF ces 81
In narrow dens Averaging "St NOR are rnmaned two
persons The kitchen where food IL provided ior
some 800 people is an conractoI dimensions
ana the hospital Is OF the size of two cells or sno
In the ten.day prisons. l2x3o feet. are sometimes
crowded 80 persons with nothing but the stone
n1uI ro about "G" ;h prison are Obliged sleep
1t should not be orgotsh IN eons,detr"s h rs great
majority Of Instances. place OF puhishheIa, o h
Of detention previous {, raa there are IN
presumption OF the law innocent OF OFFENCE le'
they treated far worse thah nose ascaicav no
opportunity Tor exercise. and without heany , e
poyment OF any kind lhey ARE hose 20 not belong
TO- ~, ,ho .riminaI classes strictly speaking. being
daily and hourly subject 10 m voi hs
huence of vicious associa t0hs, Nv h,rgS oY sani
conclusion penoogy and the tsa,h, IN, 81
tary science alike disregaried III ,n's a..
and of necessity disregarded because Vi INC
crowded condition OF the inmates a.,oos,
rh. (:r,nJ Iurv are clear that the main response
blliiv for the condition Of the ionlDS slon, W
placed upon the Board OF Esnass ah [.pp ediv
ra,.s,al fn A., 90 they have thus far neglected 10
provide the money required 10 enlaBe tnT I.h IN
and In cases 10 which our as.e"l'SC ~ n@nartment
have stricken from the estimate or the Dep @
~ CHARITIES and Correction an Item Tor ms pui
pose The present members OF me no"t hr, The re-
YET had time TO act oniv , imam ther predeces-
49, In ndice will be transferred 10 them H. VIII
their duty plainly presented, they hes''a" " '
,rr. ael,,fiou FOR al improvement In the conu,uoii
| ~ mo Iombs has heretofore been Accompanied Wy
demand tor It's removal 10 ne" shiacent To- the
-. - on,relv changed the conditions. ana II
would now seem to be best to feDu'u INV Guy ''''O'
NJ renov,l 81 the courts from the Tomos Dild q,
i-', ,n.rs an opportunity for IN" enarssihehs V.
- ,ris,n Without disturbing lts inmates II "anes
available at once plot Oh s.U,,.aient 10 ak city
| ~ s,m. lsOY square feet. eluiEa.ei. ~ -, Ia
" i' 49,. Judgment OF the architects OF the re.
nsrtm.nt of charities and Correction W." c,rIan,
! i..r consulted by jury. pu'lI'iis vi ar.o,,
h',,, cr.r,.l here would furnish tn" needed aCVo,
notation II further room wetr p",, ,he adj
en-, prison could be rebuilt go az ~ Elm the archi
..'. . "a. INCLUSION that any attempt 10 ait.'
nh. OH court building ana MARIA ~ ~ IS 70 tear
.e-s expenditure OF mohsy eae,rnny building on the
y COW" ~ an apprecia lion OK the sentiment o'
,hs.e who would preserve me lo,, ho, hts cent
| foriral monument. we sun p'",ts' ''rssn, Mood
rn. Grand rurv requested that a copy OF th'
...,.,, p. GENT 10 each Commissioner o.
! p,',t.,.s and Correction and 70 .ach m'Hloe' VI
| .h~ board OF Estimate and Appor'""'"e""