The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-12

a Ieaky roof, and new buildings are recon-
mended. The foundry and holding room.
which is the largest in the inclosure, ii is
reported, has been in constant use great
many years without repair. The only
means OF heating in the entire institution
Is by use or stoves, which, the report says,
lis expensive inadequate and does not sup
ply sufficient heat to any portion Of the
prison.. a plant for steam heat is recon-
mended
I'VE find that the deputy warden is occu-
pylng one OF the offices that was intended
for shoe shop accommodations, and that ii
Is insufficient and incOnyenient and renders
his control of the prison less effective, and
We would recommend that in order to
complish this necessary purpose, an office
be constructed for the deputy warden with
a trial room and cells for solitary confine-
ment. This will give to him the advantage
or having bad prisoners under his personal
supervision while confined under sentence
for infractions of the rules of the prison
and enable him TO more properly grade the
prisoners according to merit and without
any apparent favOritism.
las a protection to the immense amount
of property owned at this institution by
management be authorized to make Suta-
bic provisions for the protection of the
property by having placed within the in
closure sufficient number of fire plugs,
there being at present no protection at ALL
MANAGEMENT COMMENDED.
I'VE find that the introduction of the
grade SYSTEM in reference to prisoners
confined, has had a wonderful effect upon
the behavior and general conduct of the
prisoners, each one seemingly striving to
obtain such a standard OF god behavior that
will entitle him to the good will and opin-
ion of all the management, and we are sat-
isfied that through this practice the record
of this prison for good behavior will stand
at the head of all institutions of its kind
and the management is entitled to all praise
Tor its introduction and enforcement.
We find that the warden has had in
view constantly two objects, namely, the
welfare of the prisoners and the interest
OF the State, and 1t has been his highest
duty to obtain both of these objects. We
find that il has been constant study to
make improvements in his management Of
the prison, and result of his unceaSing
labors and cares, he has attained for the
prison a standing we can well feel proud Of
and incurred the good will and respect of all
prisoners under sentence. No one visiting
the southern prison can help but notice the
habits OF industry and cleanliness being
taught the inmates. Dirty faces, hands
and clothing are not to be seen any place
Each prisoner takes pains to look his best
all the time, and the officers and guards
are fine specimens of manhood, and the
loafing instinct is no where to be observed
but on every hand there seems to thrive
a spirit of energy, economy and general sat
lSfactiOn. Tools are not allowed TO lie
around where last used amidst unsightly
heaps of dirt and offal and the constant
care of the management is TO see that
everything looks at its best all the time
habits of industry. The lessons there
taught will not be soon forgotten. and each
one going out will feel that the same thor
oughness will result in his betterment as a
free man.
THE domineering manner of ordering
things done does not prevail, but from the
warden down to tho sidewalk sweeper all
is order decorum and dignity. This shows
the observer that there is order in all things
and where IL is lacking it is only for the
want of true discipline and care. We can
not too highly commend the Southern
Prison for its immaculate administration
and the care with which all things are
taken into consideration. The conVicts all
feel that in the warden and deputy warden
they have a true friend. and that they do
not have to grovel in the dirt of the past.
but are taught to look into the future to
which the warden is working everything in
his power for their betterment. They are
made to feel that while the mistakes in life
are many and at times degrading and ruin
ouS the future holds for them a place
among the honest. intelligent men. careers
of usefulness and respect and good cit
izenship.
If any prisoner receives special priv
ileges from Warden Hert it is because he
has earned them, and not on account of
any favoritism whatever. We anticipate
for this prison a standard not equaled in
any other State. The spirit of success is
not only in the minds of the administra-
tion but in the hearts of all confined there.
The board of directors made no mistake
in selecting Mr.. A. L. Hert for this respon-
sble position, and we wish to commend
them"