The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-06
CLEAN BILLFOR HASKELL
Warden Is Exonerated From Charges
of Cruelty.

The committee which has had
charge of the investigation of Warden
Haskell of the state penitentiary which
was preferred by DR.. Grigsby, made its
report last night which completely
vindicates Warden Haskell and COM
mends his mana cement Of the institu-
ton. A supplementary report was
fled at the same time but 1t is not in
the form of a minority report. and also
cornInends the action of Tie warden
in administering punishment to un-
ruly inmates, but adds a recommends
ton with reference to the handling of
insane and tuberculosis patients who
are among the inmates of the prison
The reports filed are as follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the State of Kansas:
Your committee appointed under
senate concurrent resolution No. 81, to
investigate the charges of cruel and
fnhuman treatment by the warden of
convicts in the state penitentiary, beg
leave to make the following report:
We took evidence in Topeka on Feb
ruary 1 5 and in Lansing on February
II. a full and complete transcript of
which is transmitted herewith.
There are Il few points of disagree
ment in the testimony and these are
on immaterial questions. The evidence
in this matter shows that there are
two charges CT cruel treatment against
the warden.
First-It shows by the testimony
that whel; a prisoner refuses to work
he is frequently ordered to be taken
to a cell prepared for that purpose
and handcuffed to a bar in such
position that his hands would be fast
ened to this bar about the height of
his waist. The bar is about eight or
ten inches in length so he can move
his hands up or down. In this Situa-
ton he remains during working hours,
foI, ic in he
noon and about four hours in the
afternoon. He is given his choice to
do this or do the work assigned him.
Second-In cases of refractory pris-
oners they have sometimes been taken
to cell and strapped in a reclining
position so they could not move their
hands and limbs Their head would
be held by an attendant, while another
attendant with a garden hose squirted
water on the prisoners body and face
This is done under the direction and
supervision of the prison physician or
his assistant.
In regard to the first method of
punishment it was ccrtended by the
prison authorities that it was neces-
sary to have something for a man to
do during the working hours if he re-
fused to work.
In regard to the second method it
was contended that the punishment is
not dangerous as it is administered
and that it is really humane to admin
lister a sharp. quick punishment to
prisoner who is especially refractory,
and that it was advantageous as a
matter of discipline The evidence
showed that the punishment ceased as
soon as the prisoner would promise tc
obey the prison rules.
1t is we'll in this connection to re-
member that MOTT of the prisoners in
the penitentiary and probably all of
those who have been subjected to
these punishments would not have
been confined there at all if they were
prisoners who could be reached by and
controlled by moral suasion.
The evidence all tends to show that
the discipline of the prison is very