Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-04-13

The investigators are very severe in
their report on the cells, making the fol-
lowing statement:
THE cells in both wings of the prison
buildings are about five feet wide, eight
feet long and seven feet high. Each cell
is furnished with an iron frame bed, which
is about 30 inches wide and attached to
the wall, and a small table. The doors
to the cells in the west or Oldest wing are
so constructed as to largely prevent the
light from entering the cells, whereas the
cells in the east wing are provided with
doors made of bars of steel and having
more modern locks, so that the light from
the corridors can enter practically unob-
structed. All cells are supposed to be
ventilated from the top by means of small
pipes which are about four inches in
diameter, but repeated tests have failed
to detect the slightest current of air pass
ing through these, and we are, therefore,
Of the opinion that tile cells are practical
~ without ventilation, except by way Of
the doors. The beds consist of straw
ticks, cotton sheets and wooden blankets.
The sheets are about six feet long and two
and-one-hal wide, and the blankets, while
OF sufficient weight, are very short in
length, evidently making 1t difficult for
persons of ordinary or unusual height to
satisfactorily cover themselves. From
our investigation Of other penal institu
tons, we find that the condition of the
cells, which are the homes Of the prisoners
during their confinement. is considered to
be of the utmost Importance, and that
every effort is being made to improve the
same The size Of the modern cells at
the Massachusetts state prison at Charles
ton are 9x12xS feet high; at the Concord
Mass reformatory, Sx9x7 feet high; and
at the Rhode Island safe prison at Grams
ton, SxSx9 feet high Nearly all the cells
in these institutions are not only provided
with modern steel doors, which admit the
greatest amount of light possible, but
also have steel-barred windows, thereby
making the cells very light and cheerful.
Where buckets are used in the above mem
toned institutions, the cells are provided
with perfect ventilation by means OF a
shaft, at the bottom of which is a space
large enough to admit the bucket, so no
odor therefrom escapes into the cell. At
Windsor, with no ventilation, the use Of
buckets and with the air vitiated by
prisoners who occupy their cells not less
than 10 hours out of every "a, the condi-
tons can better be imagined than de-
scribed. We, therefore, recommend thar
the cells be provided with modern doors,
that openings be made for windows, and
that suitable ventilating shafts OF SUM-
cient size at bottom to admit buckets, or
that set bowls, water closets and proper
sewerage be provided for each cell.
The small room occupied for hospital
purposes is above the bakery, is heated by
a small stove, is without sanitary ar
engagements, or bathing or toilet accom-
modatlons and without ventilation except
from the windows. The present location
is wholly unsuited for the purposes or q
hospital and the commissioners recon-
mend that a suitable place be provided
which will have abundance OF sun ano
light, steam heat, proper ventilation anc
sanitary arrangements, and dispensary
Provision should also be made for the
isolation of prisoners having contagiou;
diseases The only satisfactory solution
OF this question is the erection of a sep
arate building within the prison yard.