The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-30


These acts we cannot approve.
Notwithstanding the fact that the law
fegarulns corporal punishment is stlil IN
force' the lash, nor paddle, nor any other
FORM or nagellation or other means or pun
lshment has been used since 1897 at the
state Prison The discipline OF the prison
Is good, and this has been maintained with
a continually lessening number of punish
ments.
CERTIFIED REPORTS.
"A certified statement Of the reports and
punishments and of the daily prison popu-
lation is made each month TO our board. A
record is made at the prison of each pun
ishment in the form provided by law. This
record is examined by the secretary of the
Board of State Charities at least four times
each year, as the statute provides. We
think that this record does not set out the
prisoners statement as clearly as it should.
I'D No doubt there has been much fric-
ton between the doctor and the prison
officers, especially the deputy warden. There
was dlHerence of opinion regarding
the physical condition of men in a
Few cases The testimony was, however,
tnat nnally in such cases the physcian's
orders were obeyed. Such friction should
not nave been permitted by the warden.
AS a rule, we believe that no just COM
plant can be mode about the food; both
that In the general dining room and in
the hospital is good and sufficient The
specifications for food supplies and espe-
clally meats. call for high standard, and
the inspection is strict, requiring alb
solute compliance Herewith. After thor
ough investigation we found one instance
only Where IL was shown tainted meat was
used. This was i'm the hospital Whether
IL was so when issued or became so after
ward we were unable to determine 1t was
a double requisition, amounting to about
nfteen pounds of beef. The attention of
the physician. DR.. Horne was called TO II.
and he permitted il To be cooked and used.
Some fgs OF poor quality were supplied
the hospital once. They were cooked after
rejecting the worst
THE kitchen and their utensils are neat
and clean. The same may be said OF the
dining room. The food is good prison
fare. in ample quantity.
The convicts here work on contract as
limited by law. Each day there is
double report made of men employed upon
each contract Seldom lis the number equal
10 what law provides. Each new convict is
allowed thirty days 10 learn the work II
ne can DO ii before that time, he is paid
for it, From one to three of these learners
are sometimes found in shop. In addition,
there are one or two men on State account,
10 run errands for guards and sweep the
Snop. The convicts working on contract
mere are allowed pay for the extra work
they DO. This may be sent by them 10 their
friends or credited TO their account and
paid them when they are discharged. Some
men do double task each day and get the
extra pay themselves. The accumulatiOns OF
the prisoners is deposited in the bank and
an account is kept with each man. Interest
is paid on these deposits semi-annually, and
each convict has this increment credited to
this account.
PAROLE BOARD.
I'VE inquired into the workings OF the
parole board and could learn of no case
in which a prisoner is retained who should
have been paroled. DR.. Horne himself
who sat as a member OF that board at
several meetings, said he had no complaint
TO make of its work. We feel if there is
any criticism that could be offered, IL is
that some men are paroled who should not
be. In a general way, while conducting
this investigation, we were brought in
contact with all the departments of the
prison. We would take this occasion TO
speak in commentator of the organization
and administration of this institution Its
neatness' cleanliness and general good re-
Ind II on frequent visits. The system of
bookkeeping is model. All goods are
bought on competitive bids. of the lowest
and best bidders. They are charged to the
storeroom, from which they can only be
taken by requisition approved by the war
den- The storeroom books not only show
actually what is on hand each day, but
also what has been issued to each depart-
ment and what it costs daily.
we recommend that proper provision
be made by the next Legislature for the
State that irresponsible insane men arc
confined in prison.
THE prison rules should be revised and
enforced.
We are certain that severe treatment
and profane language has been used bv
some officers This we cannot approve
Those officials who have proven them
selves unworthy should be dismissed.
In the appointment OF all officers the
nablts and moral standing and previous
occupation of the applicants should be
more fully considered.
"A new form OF daily report should be
devised that will show more clearly aud
'eadily every prisoner employed in every
shop.
We strongly advise that the board of
control give more time to the prison than
has been customary heretofore.
we believe IL to be essential to the
proper conduct of any public institution
hat the principal officer name and dis
Miss all subordinate officers Such we
believe should be the practice here"