New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-10
ABUSES AT ELMIRA.
INSTITUTION AT PRESENT ovERCRowD-
ED WITH INMATES.
YOUNG MEN AND BOYS MIXED IN WITH
HARDENED CRDnNALs-wAsTE-
FUL MANAGEMENT

HARDENED CRDnNALs-wAsTE-
FUL MANAGEMENT
Albany. Jan 9-Serfous reflections mon -
methods employed in the EIzalra Reforuztory
are made BY State Controller Morgan. who has
been investigating the institution He says:
In this institution most anomalous conditions
exists II IS one OF the great reformatory insri-i
tutions OF the world. In some respects IT'S nan
agement is excellent bearing evidence o. con
sunmate skill and ability IN other respects Il
IS as bad as il very well could be. Discipline
mas been and is maintained BY methods which
should not be tolerated in reformacory insfitu-
TONS IN the last days % the nineteenth century
While economy has characterized some branches
OF the administration gross eyJravaga1ce has
been apparent II others 4 policy OF extension
has been pursued by the managers for years
when as matter OF fact the institution is one
half too large az present for either successful o.
average NUMBER OF inmates reported Ior last
year was 1475: experience has shown that one
thousand Is the outside number that can De
properly cared for IN such an institution
The aim OF Chairman StUrgis Of the Board
OF Managers Is 70 save that which IS good IN
this institution. and reform that which is bad
their good work One OF the things most need
- AZ present fs a capabIa assistant srperiu-
tendent- As matters now stand the health and
disposition OF man. Mr. Brockway- and he
Is over seventy years OF age. are al that stands
between order and a most embarrassing situa-
ton In THIS great INSTITUTION No one Dut me
superintendent has knowledge OF the various
branches OF the administration This should
not be So and / earnestly recommend an
amendment 70 the charter OF the Institution
which shall require the employment Of an a.
sistant superintendent as wei as a Superln-
tandeDt Tba res1onsibiIitv OF the treasurer
should also be fixed by law
GREAT EXPENSE INVOLVED
The refornatory is organized and maintained
at great expense. with view OF retaining or
tenders against che law who have not become
confirmed in vice. vet all shades, grades and
conditions CT male criminals may be found with
in its walls. MUrdereTs and old offenders ara
there mixed IN with young men and boys who
with proper surroundings and care might De -
And this IS not all Large numbers OF the IN
mates are chrOnically affected n mind ana
body. On December there were one h1n1I11
well defined cases OF tuberculosis IN The lnsr1ru
ton During the year fOrIy-tNo insane lnIIlale9
were sent from there 70 Matrsawan- and twenty
four hardened criminals we're recently trans
ferred 70 the state Prison AT Auourn- some IN
beetles are also there As q matter or TACT n
situations in which confirmed criminals are Assoc
ciated with young and comparatively ll7Apert-
euced offenders. as described above, many OF
them two in a cell approach nearer 10 being
schools for crime than refOru1atories
RECENT INSPECTION
A recent inspection OF the Elnnirs Reforrra,-
tory by this department disclosed the prese1ce
in a srorerOOrn, which was n a very uILll5s
dirrv condition Of 4304 pairs OF pants. l9S0
coats 425 vests. 1116 pairs OF SHOES. I100
sbi--s 1872 pairs OF drawers. 1-9l3 caps and
much other clothing. such as Jumpers. Overa-lss
aprons blankets etc, al n an INV $500
dirtv condition. and apparently abandoned tnsy
had been used somewhat. but II properly cared
90 +hav were still At for service The Superll-
teudent professed 10 know nothing OF tnese SUP
pIies and had made requtslriOn ror iarss
Quantity OF new cloth 70 make up mo ciO-n-
7rooer regard for economy would suggest
that these articles should Pc 10. 80 -
the outgoing prisoners and kept Tor use seeOn1
time