Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17
SAFEST IN THE WORLD
BlackWell's Island is a Well
Guarded Prison.
ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE
EXCEPT THROUGH COLLISION
WITH THE OFFICIALS.
Whirlpool Currents Drown Prisoners
Who Try to Swim Across to
New York City.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
II is strange that New York city should
have given up the most beautiful piace
within the boundaries to be the home of the
criminal, the pauper and the insane; yet il
is the fact
Blackwells Island the long narrow islet
lying in til middle of the East river off
Long Island City, is unquestionably TIE
most picturesque of all the islands that stu 4
the shores OF Manhattan. Even today. when
it is covered with institutional buildings OF
all kinds and descriptions it is still de-
lghtful place-beautiful with trees and
shrubs in places, and in summer the coolest
spot around New York, thanks 10 the
breezes that sweep down the river.
1t would be an ideal SPOT for great park
for the crowded districts of the upper East
Side, if it were nct given over to the most
criminal, ignorant and depraved sections of
the community. This seems shame, con-
Sidering how little available open space
Manhattan has.
The idea of making the island into a
great public park has been frequently moot
ed and lately revived. Undoubtedly 1t will
be carried out in the end. but not for many
wears to come. The prison, amShouSe, hos
pital and other buildings the island rep
resent a large capital. 1t is true they cost
comparatively little to build. for they were
built by prison labor with stone dug by the
prisoners from quarry on the island; but
the cost of erecting similar buildings else
where would run into many millions OF dol
lars. Nevertheless, it will be done some
day; for New York city does not seem TO
care how much money IL spenos LOT PARKS
and open spaces.
Movement Already Started.
A movement toward the conversion OF the
island into a park is already being made
nf large bridge
meeting the island with the banks of the
Fast river. Large appropriations have been
made by New York city for this purpose.
and the huge towers for the bridge which
,s 70 he on the suspension order, have al
ready been put in place.
When Rlackweirs Island ceases to be a
prison for the bad characters OF New YORK
city who have not committed crimes sefl-
Gus enough to justify penitenuary sen.
tence one of the most remarkable penal
establishments in the world will go out of
existence Blackweils Island is probably
the safest prison in the word 1t Is ia l
from which 1t is practically impossible Ior
a prisoner to escape, except by me coiiu-
son of one of his jailers.
Yet it is only about a quarter of mile
from the shore. and the prisoners are al
lowed to work about the island on various
tasks under comparatively slight supervi-
sion and guardianship. You can see the
..trusties.' doing all kinds of jobs with no.
body watching them
The wardens know that their task is
lightened for, them by jailers who are al
ways on the watch. always relentless IN
keeping the prisoners confined to the island
These are to rushing, whirling, bubblins
currents that tear along the shores of the
island on ALI sides. like vefitable maei-
s.ron. making 1t Impossible for even the
best of swimmers to cover the short dis
tahce to. the Manhattan or Long Island
shores.
Many Have Failed.
No man has ever been known to swim