The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-29
LIFE IN THE HAVANA JAIL.
EXPERIENCES OF THE SUMS Ex-
PEELED CORRESPONDENT

cal Prisoners Arrested on Mere Suspicion.
ons Of the first objects that attract the atten.
ton Of the traveller upon entering the Bay OF
Havana Is an immense square building, two
stories high, fiat-roofcd, yellow-painted, and
pierced by innumerablo oval.shapod windows
Ono sido fronts on what appears TO be a ceme-
terry, but lie really O poorly ornancnted park,
surrounded by a low brick wall. with a few scat.
tered trees In the centre. The other side fronts
on n long promenade bordered with trees. This
ediflce, resembling q great hotel or a military
barracks, Is the prison OF Havana The build
ing Is divided into two sections. The ono front
ing the square called Parque de Ia Punta In tho
city jail. and tho other. opposite tho Promenade
del Prado, Is the penitentllry.
When I entered the Jail two days after my
arrest on May IL. 1897. l was Informed that
there were 80 prisoners, Of whom about $50
were political. In the penitentiary, l was told,
about 1000 men were serving sentences for
ordinary crimes, making a total Of almost 1000
prisoners. In the Cabaha fortress. l was told.
about 600 men were incarcerated on political
charges; in the MORO Castle nearly 200. and In
the Casa dc RecoRida, or house OF detention
for disreputable women, about twenty respect
able women were confined on siinil, ar charges.
In the other cities aud towns of the Island the
jaiIs and forts are also crowded to overlooking
WIN OIlllChi pEIboutTu dhu pTlbOHtT9 OI WhT,
their exact number being difficult to ascertain
on account OF tho customary secrecy OF the Span.
ish authorities In their relations with the public,
because Of tho light which publicity would
throw on tho fearful policy adopted against
the Cubnns In their struggle for independence.
Consequently, II is very difficult to give tho
exact number OF tho political suspects now
under arrest in all the prisons OF tho island,
except on calculations based on private in
formation gathered when I was investigating
the matter. from which ! concluded that there
must be more than 5000 persons imprisoned
on the island on political charges. When II Is
considered that the immense majority Of these
prisoners are persons OF distinction and high
social rank; that the greater part OF them have
been arrested on mere suspicion. without con-
elusive proof oil the charges made against them;
that many Of them have been thrown into the
prisons simply to satisfy personal vengeance and
that they have remained for months and months
imprisoned In filthy. loathsome quarters,
buddled up In small confined spaces, without
ventilation. light or air. the mind Ia filed with
horror and the sense OF humanity is raised to Its
highest pitch OF Indignation that such atrocious
crimes should be committed ut the end of the
nineteenth century.
From personal observation during the time of
my Incarceration in the Havana Jail. and tho
direct testimony Of reliable persons previous to
my arrest. ! can affirm that there Is no e1ag-
~g"ration in this feeling. and no matter how
strongly I may draw tho picture. It is tame in
comparison with the real sufferings and miseries
o. the helpless political prisoner in Cuba. will
descritc what 1 have seen and heard in tho
Havana jail. with a few examples selected from
the many cases Of arbitrary and unjust deten-
tons to justify my assertion.
Unjust be borne in mind that the Havana Jail
is an execution to the rule, not only on account
OF It's size. which permits better accommodate
tions than in the other jails Of the island, but
also because II is better managed, and the pris.
oncrs are treated with moro kindness and con-
sideration than elsewhere in the island. As far
a. my personal experience is concerned I have
nothing to complain OF. and must acknowledge
my Indebtedness TO the Warden and jailers for
the kind treatment accorded to me during my
say in the prison.
The Havana jail. like all the old Spanish build.
ings, is a massive stone affair. 1t is about $50
feet square and capable OF resisting a regular
siege II converted into q fort. The top floor Is
occupied BY the Audiencid, or Supreme Court,
and the whole building is guarded on the out
side by q detachment Of Havana volunteers,
armed to the teeth. who watch the building and
DO their pickle, duty in small sentinel boxes, or
pace up and down the street with their loaded
HeminGtons ready to fire on any unfortunate
prisoner who may happen to thrust his head out
OF any Of the grated windows. It the entrance
to the Jail there is also an armed sentinel. and
IN u spacious hail leading to tho door Of the
prison there are about twenty-five or thirty I'M
armed volunteers loafng about. chatting, look
ing with suspicion ut all the visitors to the
prison. and making unfavorable on
It purpose OF their visits or the connection
taese persons may have with the prisoners.
nav nsi'e wins I4' m ya,r tneFs Is a iaIs, open court.
are allowed 10 roam at will two hours and u half
u day. This court is ID ,vided in the middIe by a
stone posIs. lined inside with a narrow strip Of
ground planted win flowers and trailing vines
which cover its entire length. forming pleasant
bower. attractive 10 the eye and a Comfortable
p!rce To sit In the afternoon. This passageway
leads 10 the Sniones de distinction, as they are
called. or privileged quarters, a row Of Ave
rooms OF different dimensions. the smallest Is
by 80 feet and 80 feet high. and the others % or
SPACIOUS corridor with u marble floor, also fenced
win heavy iron bars 10 prevent the common
Prisoners n sSn naDi from 70 n, crossing eros to that part Of the jail.
z round dome, in the middle Of which there
bare OF ornaments and very poorly decorated.
In this shapo! the chaplain q the jan says mass
the prisoners. with the exception OF those in
the privileged quarters. are forced to attend,
Inc s"ryiH Hs is : a very simpls ami primitive one;
~ ~ an Al
me priest we're afraid Of the place and anxious
10 get out OF II as soon as possible. On solemn
occasions. as In Holy Week. religious services
bishop comes in person to give tho prisoners his
benedictlon after officiating at tho mass,
Facing the right and loft side OF the court. and
under q long %arrhway. are the coils for the com.
mon prisoners. They are large enough to hold
sixty or seventy men without discomfort, but
The demand for space has been 80 great since he
beginning OF the Cuban outbreak that these cells
now contain more han 100 men each. Tho jail
Is intended to lodge only about 500 mon. and
there are nearly double that number. One good
thing about lhese cells is that the ceilings are
more than thirty feet from the door, and those
through which they ~reoeivea good ventilation.
In me rear part OF tho building the burtoinas
are ,ocated. Tho bdrtoiind is a small cell des.
tined for the inconiunicados. or for those
that break the Jail regulations and create dis.
Iuroen9 e. msritinE a special and severe punish.
eordinE to the si1e Of the penal establishment
of.ne humanitarian sentiments OF those who
uireSted their construction. Tho bdrtolinas of
me Marianao Jail, which ! once visited, are 40
sniaii maj the unfortunate prisoner can mako
only a couple OF steps backward and forward,
anu can hardly turn around. The bart0iind OF
INC Euanabacoa Jail. IN which the unfortunate
~, nIlz met his terrible death. has been often
ucbcTlueu. and Is a fitting illustration of what