Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-01-10
CONDITION OF THE PRISON
A Government Inspector Makes
Report on Our P~enitentiary.
INSTITUTION IN GOOD SHAPE
Reports Of uusapita.Y Condition Exaggerated,
Shops Finest IN the World.

government to the State prison IN
Moundsville, went through that insti-
tuition for the pnrose Of ascertaining
whether or not the reports as 70 its
unsanitary condition were justified
Warden Haddox placed at his DISPOSAL
eve possible means OF earning the
true state Of affairs. and the inspector
found the panitentiary 10 be a model
institution of its kind.
Irstea0 Of being the loathsome and
unhealthy prison that the incorrect
reports recently published would lead
one to believe it to BE-, the sanitary
oorditioa of the Moundsyille peniten-
tiaev. while not what is desired. Is
as good IS possible under the present
circumstances. and Is far better than
that Of the majority Of similar insti-
BUTTONS Of the country.
The work shop department Is better
than that Of any penal institution in
the world. There fare at present ESQ
convicts at work. and when the plans
now in progress are completed, which
include the opening OF the enameling
plant. ont Of the present population
OF 965 conyicts, s35 of them will be
employed by the various contractors.
The balance will be employed on the
regular rontine work connected with
the institution. The work is mostly
light and Of the mechanical order, and
each convict is employed at the work
for which he is best fitted.
Besides making the institutio on self
supporting, many of the conyicts earn
considerable money for overtime,
which amounted for the last fiscal
year to s1l. 500. This money is used
by them for purchasing edibles, books.
etc, In many cases it is sent by them
to wives or relatives.
Great improvement has been made
in the food. Besides the MANY yarie-
ties Of vegetables Furnished bv the
prison farm. canned goods. etc, fresh
meat Of a good variety is given the
convicts daily. and fish is served three
or four times each week.
The school facilities are probably
better than in any other ike institu-
tion in this country. During the last
two years the school has been increased
from 80 to 100 scholars. These men Ie-
ceiye instructions daily in the primary
branches from the ~chaplain, Rev. Mr..
Ruble, assisted by the best educated
prisoners. a Sunday school has also
been i-naugurated.
The bath room, recently completed,
is another feature that is as near per-
lection as possible. The room contains
100 shower baths. The water is first
ran into a large cistern in the base
ment OF the building. where it is
brought to an even temperature. such
as desired. From the cistern the wa
ter is forced into the bath room. where
100 conyicts battle at one time in water
properly tempered and in a warm
room.
In good weather the men are given
a march around the yard daily.
The prison physician goes among the
men daily and al complaints are at
tended to, whether they are thought
to be justified or not.
The hospital is we'll equipped and
its sanitary condition is excellent.
The vacuum pressure heating system
was recently completed at an expense
of $4,000, and gives complete satisfac-
ton. The temperature is taken in
three different parts Of the hall sever
al times each night. and if it varies
over a certain degree the warden is
Immediately notified.
The one weak feature of the institu-
ton is lack of cell room and the need
Of closets in all the cells, and there is
little doubt but what the matter will
be remedied bv an appropriation by
the next Legislature.
OF the federal conyicts, thirteen
have died during the last two years,
instead of one each week as reported
in an evening paper. The federal con-
victs, instead Of being sighted, are
subjected 10 the same rules as the state
conyiets, but the fact that they are
for the most part more intelligent, Sc
cures for chem higher work.
The death average Of the peniten-
tiary is mach lower than the death
average On the ontside, and it neces-
sarily should be, as che men are fed
common food, selected with respect
teo balthfRlness. and are compelled to
have regular habits in regard to sleep
and exercise.
The Jail is responsible for the great
err number Of deaths that occur in the
n~enitentiarv. The iail hes no resnect