The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-13

reached by going up outside stairs, over the
roof of another building, through sort of
junk shop into their present location ito xe 1t
tilated. 1t is the only place that can at
present be used. and the dictates of human
ity demand that these unfortunates may be
put in some place in which their lives will
not be jeopardized. If a fire should break
out in the building Id the 1ef probabilities are
'"rhrd-A new heating apparatus should
be put in at once which would supply the
power for the electric light plant and also
heat all the buildings. The buildings and
cellhouses now largely heated by stoves.
which accumulate dirt, are a source of con-
slant trouble, threaten danger and are UNI
satisfactory
"A new heating apparatus could furnish
the power for the electric light plant, neat
all the buildings and furnish Whatever
agement of the institution. The present
apparatus has been in for many years.
While apparently well cared for. it is get
capacity of the institution.
"Fourth-The chapel should be recon-
AS it is now constructed 1t is simply
death trap, subjecting the inmates TO great
danger by re and Ise inns ena aGd
in its accomplishment much needed good
would be DONE
CELLHOUSES IN BAD SHAPE.
"Fffth-None of the cellhouses are in the
condition they should be. There is great
lack of ventilation. In fact. they were
erected, apparently, regardless of ventila-
tion and only such air is taken in as comes
in through the dollhouse through the doors
into the cell. In winter time great harm
results from poor ventilation. and in sum-
mer time the cells are rendered almost UNI
inhabitable. In the condition of the cells
your committee would not recommend the
introduction of ventilating apparatus, as We
n tV1lx IN vfI.1d ~ "A n
rebuild the cells.
Dollhouse is the old original dollhouse.
This has been built half a century and is
in a bad condition. The cells are in dimen-
sion three feet ten inches by seven feet.
The floors are of brick and badly worn.
We certainly recommend no improvements
to this building. Dollhouse Il is very We'll
constructed, but is badly lighted and has no
ventilation The ceiling is about forty feet
high making the upper and lower cells ex-
ceedingly dark. We recommend that other
windows be put in the walls In nd tba
there is lack of cell room, there being
about one and one-half men to each cell.
The result is that many cells are occupied
by two prisoners, and fifty-three--at the
time were there-were sleeping in the
corridors. This state of affairs is very de-
plorable and should be remedied at once.
If some means are not at once provided for
the reduction of the prison population there
should be new cellhouSeS built at once, with
proper improvements for light and ventlia-
ton. II is exceedingly doubtful whether
the present cells can be properly venti-
lated without tearing them down entirely.
I'VE recommend that a switch be laid in
the prison to which all railroads snail have
access.
1--WE would recommend that an appropri-
alton be made and the board of directors
be "a thoriZed to expend the same in the
construction and repair OF such buildings
as we have indicated in this report. 1t
can be very largely done with prison Ia
Dor and at a minimum cost
I'VE think we would not be going be-
yond our duty to make favorable mention
of the manner in which the prison has been
conducted during the incumbency of War
den Hert. There appears to have been
complete accord between him and the di-
rectors by which great reforms have been
accomplished and great good done without
expense to the State and without detri-
ment to the inmates.
1--WE found the highest discipline main
tanned the best of feeling prevailing and
best of order preserved, and the prison it
self in the very best condition.
MIR. Hert has been very enthusiastic in
his work and has accomplished very great
good. for which he deserves special COM
mendation. The affairs of the institution
have been we'll and economically managed.
The officers and employees appear TO have
done their whole duty. the result of which
is that the Prison South has been placed
upon a much higher plane than has ever
before been attained"