The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-04

There has been considerable discussion
regarding the circumstances attending the
change of management in the Indiana Re-
formatory but there can be no difference
OF opinion to the showing made by the
report OF the new superintendent. 1t shows
beyond question culpable degree OF loose
ness I'm the former management and the ex-
istence of practices that call for reform.
Mr.. Whitaker has been in charge of the
institution only a short time. but his apti-
tude for business and previous experience
in prison affairs have enabled him to dis
cover evidences Of loose management and
abuses that a less experienced person might
records show that for several years past
the financial affairs of the institution have
been managed in an unbusinesslike way.
He Is right in saying that 1.-The official
records of all boards where the expendi-
ture of public funds is passed upon should
at each meeting of the board show in dol
lars and cents the amount ordered paid to
each individual and the total expenditures
for the month" The records of the Re-
formatory do not make any such showing
nor furnish clear statement of the finan-
cial condition of the institution at any
given time. The transactions of the Indiana
Manufacturing Company with the Re-
formatory seem to have been of a question
able character. and the present relations of
former Superintendent Hert with the COM
pany and the prison are conflicting. The
taking of supplies from the storeroom of
the institution by the steward for his per-
sonal use was entirely unjustifable. and the
superintendent had no right to authorize
1t. 1t belongs to a class of petty pecula-
tons which institution officials are apt to
think come under the head of perquisites
but which are wholly indefensible. The sup
have been pervaded by this spirit of petty
peculation and personal advantage to an ex-
tent that reflects no credit upon an officer
whose duty it was to look closely after
the int, ests of the State. What Mr.. Whit
taker says conceI ming the internal manage
ment and condition of the prison will cause
surprise:
This institution was made a reformatory
in April, 1897. Since that time it has been
a reformatory only in name and not in fact.
In the first place, some OF the same condi-
tons as to handling the prisoners exist now
that existed twenty-five years ago, and the
very thing that is a nightmare to reform
atory officials who are honest in their
work, that is, the lock-step. and use Of the
ball and chain for punishment 1t Is true
that these antiquated methods are not used
In all cases Of punishment, but they are
used on some inmates every day in the
year and the baneful effect Is felt upon off,
Ger and inmate alike.
No attention is now has been given in
the last six years to the separating OF
the young boys from sixteen to twenty
from the more experienced men in crime.
OF all the statements in the report, and
there are many others not here adverted to
rejecting on the former management Of
the institution, there is none that will cause
more surprise than this. 1t is damaging
that it is to be hoped it is not made hastily
or without the means at hand Of substan-
tiating it. II true 1t discloses a condition
that calls for immediate reform. The re-
port as a whole shows that the institution
needed thorough overhauling.