New-York tribune., 1908-09-02
THAW'S JAIL OFFICE
TAKES ENTIRE CORRIDOR.
Sleeps There-Bouquets and Three
Meals a Day from Hotel.

Albany, Sept 1-Protest is made in report
submitted to the State Commission of Prisons
to-day by its secretary, George Mclaughlin,
against the further confinement in the Dutchess
County Jail at Poughkeepsie of Harry K Thaw.
Mr.. McLaughlin's report follows an inspection
made on August "a The report says In part:
He has been held in this Jail for several
months pending the outcome of litigation which
looks now as though it might be interminable
The Sheriff has room for him except in the
padded cell; even this he needs for temporary
uses, and ii would be an entirely unfit place in
which to confne man for months. As Thaw
has been adjudged insane with homicidal ten
dencies the Sheriff would not be justified in
confnng him with the other prisoners He
cannot keep him in the quarters intended for
boys. To do would compel him to keep the
boys with the adult prisoners which the law
forbids. He cannot keep him in the hospital
room for two reasons-frst. it Is not sufficiently
secure; second it cannot be spared for the per-
manent occupancy of Mr.. Thaw
The result is that the Sheriff has to give him
an entire corridor, with the thirteen cells ada
cent, in the principal Jail for men. He needs
this room for other prisoners. The want of it
makes it impossible for him properly to classify
the regular prisoners committed to the jail, and
to obey the request of the District Attorney TO
keep court prisoners who have been concerned
in the same crime separate from each other.
He consumes large amount of the time OF the
jaier in escorting him to Ffshkill Landing,
White Plains and other places to attend hearings
before the court and other referees, time which
the jailer needs for his other duties. There Is
good deal of public talk that some of these hear
ings are on fake suits. instituted by his friends
to give him these outings. In all events 1t de-
wolves upon the Sheriff and his assistants large
amount of work which does not belong to his
office and is part of his official duties
The Jail is not the proper place for the con-
f1nement of lunatic While at times public
interests may require that the Sheriff shall take
charge of an alleged lunatc for day or two.
until he be transferred to asylum. the
detention of a Iunatic in common Jail for
months cannot be approved. His presence here
demoralizes the discipline of the institution
He sleeps in the corridor. not in cell. He has
all the fixtures and paraphernalia of a business
office He orders his food from the hotel which
has to be brought to him three times day.
Silly people send him bouquets of flowers. He
has the of whole corridor, constituting
one-quarter of the entire principal jail for men,
while the other prisoners are crowded, two in
cell frequently. All these things under the
observation of the other prisoners, and create
dissatisfaction and belief that men with money
constitute separate class. even in prison
These things produce an ugly feeling OF dis
content and rebellion among the other prisoners.
There in this same county two state institu
tions for the care of the insane It would seem
that a person who had been adjudged insane, but
who is now conducting proceedings for his dis
charge the ground of recovery, should be
detained In an institution where he would be
under the observation of experts, who could ad
wise the court of his changed mental condition, if
baS