The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-08-06

superiLtendents to be one of the worst
conditions that can exist in such in
stitutions.
You will find large number of in
mates afflicted with tuberculosis. and
that no attention has been given to
this class of prisoners with a view
of placing them in a separate cell
house and in separate cells where spe-
cial treatment and exercise can be
given them. but they are permitted
to be scattered all over the institu-
ticn until all the cellhouses and cells
are permeated with the germs of this
disease; and to make this condition
worse. the bedclothing and bedding is
not aired for months at time and
never taken out and given a sun bath.
which is a good sanitary precaution.
The present mode of punishment is
known as solitary confinement, which
consists OF handcuffing the inmate to
barred door of a darkened cell with
practically no ventilation for twelve
hours, and the remaining twelve hours
he is compelled to stay in this dark
ened and poorly-ventilated place with
his hands free. This he must do for a
number of days at a time. His diet
consists of four ounces of bread and
two quarts of water per day.
Owing to the total absence of light
in these cells and the vitiated air due
to poorly-constructed ventilating sys-
tenn, the inmates physical condition is
so reduced that his powers Of resist
ance are brought to a very low ebb,
thus making him an easy victim to the
ravages of the diseases, and as a
natural result the contracting of tuber-
culosis in some instances, while in
others. who have either the above
named disease, or syphilis, 1t Is con-
ducive to the rapid development of the
same. One day when was there there
were seventeen inmates in these cells
and another day there were eight.
These conditions should be corrected
as soon as possible by using we'll
lighted and well-ventilated cells for
punishment. which In the judgment of
experienced men does not lessen the
punishment, but. will materially re-
duce the deleterious effects.
1t must not be all sentiment on the
question of punishment. Just and hui
name punishment should be meted out
to all violators of law, and with such
system and regularity that the offender
will not want to again return to prison.
We should be very careful in the
granting of paroles; no outside inf1u-
ence, either personal or political,
should be allowed in the granting of
any parole. We should feel that our
duty to the people of Indiana lies as
much in keeping there who are not
susceptible to reform methods within
the walls of the ref0rmatory for Pc
RODS justly commensurate with their
crime, as 1t does in letting good pris-
oners out at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
In granting paroles our decision
must be determined by the prisoners
record for good conduct in prison, by
his character as determined in the
study of his tendencies, habits and
ideas as shown in his prison life. and
his previous history; by study of
the nature and circumstances Of his
crime. and on condition that he has
promise of employment at living wages
when released on parole, or has been
schooled in some trade whereby he
will be able to make his living.
1t is a well-established fact that the
criminal most dangerous to society is
the most apt to be q model prisoner,
in the observance of prison rules and
regulations; therefore, clear record
In prison is not the only ground on
which the prisoner should be paroled.
Actual experience In the study and
handling of criminals, knowledge of
human nature in general. impartiality
In Judgment, should be the main
requisites on which we base our judg-
ment to successfully determine the
proper time Cor prisoners release on
parole.
The public for whose protection
laws are made should be as carefully
considered In the granting of paroles
as Is the prisoner whose liberty de-
pends upon our Judgment.
Defective Water Supply.
There has been spent s415,5sS.ss in
the last six years at the institution in
specific appropriations to better the
physical condition of the place. but
to-day the water supply is totally un-
satisfactory. TIE water r. received
from. two sources, viz, the Jefferson
Vile Water Supply Company. which is
Ohio River water. unflltered, and the
other q well In the institution grounds.
DR.. Sharpe. the prison physician. has
this to say Of the water:
From an examination made by the
Secretary Of the State Board Of Health,