The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-10
MOUNDSVILLE PRISON
SUBJECT OF REPORT

sent from the District OF Columbia and
permitted the prisoners TO answer them
in order that they might give their opin-
ions in the matter We have received for
board of Federal prisoners. most all of
whom are from the District Of Columbia
S5S.42S.SS. and every cent of this has
been utilized in improving the institu-
ton. Our prisoners are allowed over
time in their work for contractors manu-
featuring goods in the institution. This
is something not done in any other
prison. The prisoners are permitted %
keep the money so earned and in the
last fiscal year they earned S9..O9- %
Prisoners from the District of Columbia
earned most CT this and many sent the
money thus earned To their families OF
used If in paying their lawyers for eI-
forts 10 be released.
We compel the prisoners to take
plenty Of exercise. and are doing every
thing We can 10 keep them in good
health The report OF the unhealthy con
dition Of our institution emanated from
CuT biennial report. which has been
printed recently. in which We cai.sI
the attention Of the members of the
Legislature to the cell accommodations
The entire report was submitted 10
Major Strong this morning.
Condition Of Prison.
The following extract taken from the
report shows the condition of the insti-
tuition as viewed by the board OF direc-
tors and the prison physician.
We now have 5s5 cells in which 10
accommodate 942 prisoners. which num-
Der viii be largely increased during
the winter, the population always being
the lowest about October ]. These cells
are but az feet vide. feet long and =
feet high, without closet. wash bowls
or ventilation.
Small and poorly arranged as they
are, in $50 Of these cells two prisoners
must occupy each cell
This is an extremely undesirable
state OF affairs. from the standpoint Of
health, morals and discipline When one
thinks Of two men spending never less
than thirteen hours each day during
six days OF the week. and on the sew
enth day nearly twenty hours. in such
small space and with a Stop bucket
in each cell which no care can prevent
from being, in every sense, presidential
and offensive, part of the gravity or
the situation that now ccnfroRts the
management of this institution may be
realized.
w. FfrvT 40 Ill
Grafton Of this matter by the next Legis-
iatuTe. and ask that an appropriation be
made sufficient 10 extend the north cell
block 10 the limits OF the States proper
", a distance of I28 feet. and install il
with modern steel cells provided with
closets. wash bowls. and proper venti-
lating appliances, and that the old cells
be arranged so that they may at least be
properly ventilated"
0vercrOwding Of Cells.
DR. ". D Stewart, the physician in
charge, in his report to the, board or di-
rectcrs, refers to the condition Of the in
stitution in the following manner:
The cause Of the increase of tubercu-
iosis and death rate during the past
year has been TO great extent due 10
this fearful overcrowding of the cells.
Il is decided menace to comfort. health.
and morals 10 compel two prisoners 10
occupy, from twelve to fourteen hours at
a time, six days a week and on the say
enth day twenty hours. a space so small
and with a sIop bucket IN the cell for
their use. No amount OF care can pre-
vent their being offensive and pestiIentiaI
in every way.
Such conditions are now existing and
have reduced the vitality Of every
prisoner who has to occupy these cells"