New-York tribune., 1905-01-16
FAVORS BIG PRISON.
Superintendent Collins WOuId Abdn-
don Sing Sing and auburn.
icy rE1EeRApH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l

AIhsnv Ian. ia recommendation to abandon
Sing Sing and also Auburn prisons is the striking
suggestion contained IN the annual report OF Cor
neIius V. Collins. State Prisons Superintendent
This recommendation IS based two facts. first,
The approaching necessity of expending upward Of
q 600 00 70 rebuild the cell blocks in these two
Institutions and. second. tho general unsanitary
surroundings Of the two sites, which lead the su-
periatendent TO urge rather the spending of the
money for new union prison in some place pos
gessing the desired conditions and the abandon
nent Of the present prisons. OF Sing Sing Superin
tendent Collins writes
While the geographical location of Sing Sing is
the level Of the river that satisfactory sewer
bought and is expensive. nor has it always proved
reliable.
His arraignment of the conditions at Auburn is
hardly less strong. He declares:
Auburn Prison is in the city. Its ground space
is insufficient, ana has become contaminated
through use by an excessive population for eighty
fhst there are more et15s hons sd i1es & s4w
ers become insane than in other prisons pro rata
Summarizing these conditions Superintendent
Collins urges that the State, instead Of expending
SoO0OOo IN patching up Sing Sing and Auburn.
abandon these prisons and spend the money IN
erecting new central prison lines OF modern
ana progressive prison architecture.
A notable step In progressive prison administra-
uon is indicated in this report which records the
fact that DR.. Andrew S. Draper State Commits
with Superintendent Collins in the conduct of
prison schools. DR.. Draper, the report adds is
much interested in the subject and is planning TO
employ the resources OF his department in de-
vising a definite system OF prison education the
need OF which can be gathered from Superinten-
dent Collins's statement that the prison popula-
uon approximatng $500. included 325 convicts who
could neither read write and as MANY mora
who could read but not write or figure Discuss
ing this feature Superintendent Collins writes.
The superintendent IS confident OF good results
from this arrangement. A connpreber7siyTe ed1Scs2
tlonat system has always been urgently needed in
ne prisons IL has never been supplied When
We're employed with the view 10 the
EIealest nnanclal returns, the educational and i'm
- great measure, the reformstorv measures We're
nesIecleo Choer the present prison system edu-
eauonal ana reoormatory features are deemed Of
must Yield TO their demands These coDSittonS
u possible 10 apply the educational scheme o~r
templated IN this new ARRANGEMENT and ft [riij u
spPheo as thoroughly and effectively as possible
The report records the fact that abolition ~ N.
traditional prison stripe for first term prisoners
last October, and the substitution of a gray s,,,r
with semi military cap. has notably improved +h
general attitude Of the 200 prisoners afrecte5. he
writes: '
The superintendept expected good results from,
tne change but the effect reaches far hetEond M
eHpectaNons The men IN their trim sJits see,,, la
pIeClauNe ana cheerful. 1t is clear that hev he Ia
ose fesIect Tor themselves and II is equally cear
ttat lhey command more respect from Otbers .Sa.
When ctoIheo In stripes. very fone oPt
sututohs IS changed. II sayors more Of The 90 az
LLsOn IlaIl the prison. and the superintendent s
Sea-losnt lhat the atmosphere thus produced will
prove 10 De an active and powerful refornnatorIt