Middletown transcript., 1904-04-30

| dressed in rags, cook their. own meals
from raw food given to them by the sher-
iff.
Murderers Allowed Freedom
Not only have convicted murderers
been allowed the freedom of the Jail, been
appointed "wardens' and allowed to
leave, without guard, the institution to
which they were committed for life by
the Court, but those less fortunate in Sc
curing the lsniency of their keepers are
forced to live in shambles.
When your correspondent called yes
terday the sheriff was away. His deputy
Charles T. Purnell, volunteered 10 show
the way through the place.
Outside the gate which leads into the
court yard three negroes and a young
white man were gathered. One of them
had shoeshining outfit, and sung out,
"Shine, boss?" They were all prisoners,
the deputy explained.
"Oh, no they won't 90 away. We
know them too we'll for that" he con-
tinued.
One OF the negroes, AL Palmer, who is
serving six months for shooting affray
at Lewes, was given the keys and opened
the gate. Inside was roomy court sur
rounded by 12-foot brick wall. Up one
side the wall extends large crack which
looks as though it would soon cause COL
lapse. In one angle of the wall barrel
rested. Another was nearby. If placed
one upon the other man standing on
top could reach the top of the wall with
bis hands.
Prisoners Cook Their Own Food
To the right on entering is the Jail kit
chen. In it were four negroes, sitting
about on boxes, watching the cooking
operations. One, the cook, had his
sleeves rolled up. The prisoners in Sus-
sex County Jail always cook their own
food.
Across the hall from the kitchen other
negroes were lolling about on two beds.
The bed clothing was ill-smelling, and
needed washing. A worn pack of cards
showed in what manner much of the
prisoners time is spent.
Razors in Dangerous Hands
John Jones mulatto youth, who some
time ago made desperate attempt to es-
cape from the Georgetown "locku p" by
setting fire to the building, and almost
cremating himself, was stroping a razor. |
He is the prison barber, and is allowed |
to keep as many razors as he likes or can
afford.
Sick Man Without Attention
Across the dingy hallway inthe fourth
room negro lay i'll upon a bed. He was
emaciated, and appeared to be in agony. |
In weak voice he asked the deputy,
"Why, in heavens name don't you send
a doctor?
The sick man said his name was Char
les Hill, and that he had been i'll four
weeks. At rare intervals physician WIS.,
tied him but failed to relieve his suffer-
ing, he said.,
There are no women prisoners in the |
Jail. tits rare occasion for woman to
be sentenced in this couny. Therefore,
there is but small accommodation for the
sex.
No wood was in the prison yard, and
several prisoners said they frequently
from cold. Fuel and clothes are
furnished by the county. The prisoners
do not complain about the fare. Pota-
toes, turnips, soup and bread are the
staple foods.
In Sussex County Jail there are now
twenty-one prisoners. Before the last
term of court thirty prisoners were con-
fined there. Then they slept four in
bed. Some preferred the floor.
In the workhouse of New Castle County
the daily cost of feeding one prisoner is 7
cents. The Levy Court of Sussex County
allows the sheriff 80 cents day for the
food of each prisoner, and asks for no ac-
counting of the money expended in food.
Additional money ispaid from the county
treasury for clothes and fuel for the
prisoners.
The monthly average number of pris-
'ners confined in Georgetown Jail is
about twenty.
AT z cents per head the yearly cost of |
eeding twenty prisoners is $51I. At sol
,ents per head, allowed by the Levy
Court, the amount turned over to the
'heriff is $3.50. Some of the food-yeee-
ables, meat and some grain-is said to be
aised on the sheriff's farm. So some of
he prisoners actually help to grow the
ood they consume.
The sheriff and bis deputy do not favor
my possible movement which would
cad to change OF the Jail system in Sus-
ex County.