New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
PRISON UNIFTCATION.
Plea for This and Reorganization OF
State System.

The Prison Association OF Network by its char
ter is required report TIE legislature Of this
State every year with reference 20 the state and
condition Of prisons 'and al such other things IN
regard 10 them as may enable the Legislature TO
perfect their government and discipline The ex.
ecutiye committee OF the association has Just COM
pleted and submitted 20 the legislature it's i1Jy-
ninth annual report. It is confined almost entirely
TO subjects which can only be remedied By legls-
latve action. The whole report. which is signed By
Charlton T. Lewis. chairman. and 5. J. Barrows.
corresponding secretary, IS argument IN favor
OF the reorganization and unifcation OF tho prison
system OF the State. The following are the con-
c.usions and recommendations OF the report:
First-cr1Iae in the state can only be adequately
preselt system is unequal Irregular. expensive and
or uy any Modification Ct merely local system 70
grapple wiki problem which belongs 20 the State.
laws should be dealt with by the State and com
mitteG 20 IS custody. whether The violation be
OF the constitutional aruendnent f5rhdding the sale
10 rostrate industries IN eli Of The county peniten-
uar.es outside OF Ncw-YorS The enforced ideness
OF prisoners sentenced 20 county jails is iamentaole
lUtey necessary FOR the physical and moral welfare
laborer obliged to toll fer his own support 20 bs
S-i1 10y 'S -CL 80 "a g., % i5s-sss
Fifth-TEe greater part OF this deplorsbs ideness
Sis5 ~ M Eng ga atiIu. 0s svs,ars
sheriNs SO much a dav for each prisoner they keep
SIN prevails in one-third q The counties OF New
York State. L IS O method liable TO the greatest
abuse for il is 70 the interest o. the sheriff 10 have
rs many prisoners possible for the sake OF In
creasiug his revenue This interferes with the
operation the probation system and increases tbs
expenses o. the county,
The transition from local 20 state control. which
Is tho only remedy for the conditions described
above can be effected IN New-York State with
comparative ease and ct small expense. when COM
pared with the rank eEtravagance OF the prison
system. Sacrificing logical to practical consider
atoms. greater New-York may be left out Of the
plan OF state control but Capitalization IN that city
ton, 20 far enough TO place al sentenced prisoners
under control u Tie Department OF Correction. For
the other sections OF the state uniAcaton can be
secured and the existing idleness removed By the
following measures:
First-It should be provided by law that after
certain cate al prisoners convicted OF violation OF
State laws shall he sentenced 10 institutions under
control Of tho State. SecCro--To GcconEnodate
such prisoners. the State should create by law q
number OF houses OF correction fOT nlsc"meanaEts.
The penitentiaTics OF Albany. Onondaga. Monroe
and Erie counties can doubtless be ineNpensively
acquired for this purpose Third-PrCductve In
dustries should be organized ia the houses q coz
rection thus established. Fourth-Thc State.
through the Superintendent OF Prisons. should fur
nish the raw mate-la! ana market the product OF
the poniteutiarleE. Flfth-PIison labor should en-
brace eli Industries which may probably be fol-
lowed under the scheme Of State use. End
emptiou should be permitted q any special indus
ton exists as 10 sale in the open market. Sixth
The powers OF the State Superintendent OF Prisons
aud a. the State Commission OF Prisons may be
extended by appropriate legislation