New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-29
CPOVDING AT THE TONBS.

The Grand Jury's prcsentmcnt concerning inc
crowded condition OF the City Prison makes
official record Of state Of affairs when Inc
Tribune EXPOSED some weeks ago. The Tombs
wos bccun in 1880 and finished In ISIS. when
the city had less than 100000 inhabitants IL
then had IA, cells If the same ratio OF crim-
inals 10 population now exists. there might prop
crly be over 500 cells in the prison. whereas 'ere
orc only coJ On June 90. after the courts hah
taken special pains TO reduce the NUMBER vi
nrison cases and bring the number OF persons
confined 10 an unusually low figure, there were
in tho Tombs 365 prisoners. 40 OF whom had 10
share their narrow quarters with other men.
| During the month OF May the number OF prison
ORG averaged 800 THE ten-day prison. accord
ing 10 the Grand Jury. lis II by 30 feet ana
| .somotimcs 100 prisoners are placed there with
| .notbing but the stone floor upon which To lie'
.ond your committee is at loss to figure how
81, is possible that this number Of persons could
"bc accommodated even with a couch The cells
Gin the main prison are , by feet in the clear.
land here two persons are placed and bo'h Steep
.ou a narrow cot. with one mans feet in the
"othcr mans face
This picture recalls the stories of the OLD Ehs
fish prisons. and when to II are added the de-
hospital accommodations. which results in AZ
cravatng the hthlness and disease "f 'he most
uuclcan and unhealthy part Of the community
,he conviction is established that the Iomps ~
I, now exists is "A disgrace 10 the city. Moreover
II is an entirely unnecessary disgrace Nheh our
Tammanv rulers undertook 70 buid me er'''
Criminal Courts Building adjoining III" prlS"n
| the expenditure was regarded with comparative
| complaccncy because II was understood 'ha' u!
| This outlay not only would the courts receive "'
fer facilities which they nnqucsiionahiy h'''r''
hut that the Tombs would bc relieved 10y the
| removal Of the Police and Special S'SSl"hS
| courts TO the new building But ihht cmhs' III
| ,bc case Of the Police Court has not YET p'h
| made owing 10 the failure OF The puilh'rS u"
| nrovide any place in connection with Inc he"
| room for the detention OF prisoners awaiting
| trial The Police Justices on this when mr.
| Grand Jury calls trivial excuse. nave ooS'i'
no,.y refused 10 leave their old quarters III!
| though a pen could easily be- constructed III Inc
| ucw room II the Police Court were ont "i nv
| ro,nhs rho entire Ccntre-si front could ID" con
v.r,.d into cell room. with space on tie ground
| floor for much needed cooking. laundry. lAvatory
and storage facilities In addition !" 'h'>'
changes the Grand Jury recommends maj Inc
walls Of the main prison he carried UP :" i'i"'
| stories as architects mny think adVSApl'' :" IL
10 proyidc ample room for the separation "' prs
| on.rs and their care under sanitary CONDITIONS.
II would probably. however. be better 'cohoh!
| and xvould secure better results 10 Tear out eli
tirey the old buildings within The '"il'r's'. wall
hitherto used for court purposes. ana bulIh Il
new ircproof prison with 300 cells instead "'
| Matching I'D the old court rooms ana hu1ih'hs
| coils I'm Them In an institution lk" In" 'lt!
| Prison. where persons are detained oV'h "''
charges Of petty offences AMI outrageous 'ri'''~'
| if is manifcsty dcrogatory to good morals anu
against public policy to have the prisoners III
discriminarrly crowded together. The cry owes
| If 10 itself 10 keep hardened criminals from III
nuencng chance offenders. ana 10 give !" III
nrisoncrs sanitary surroundings. II can Only do
This by having proper buildings with plenty "'
room. Moreover. u large proportion "i 'h' III
mates OF the Tombs are innocent persons WIG
are unable 10 get bail. but who are freed as soon
~ their trial comes on. II Is manifest outrage
10 decent people thus detained To compel 'h'"
:. associate closely with filthy and degraded
men who happen TO be their frllowpr'soh'r'
ANY reasonable expenditure TO obyiatc thes" evilS
will certainly meet with the approval OF the TAX
| payers.