New-York tribune., 1908-01-20
PRISON BOARD REPORTS
Women Inmates Cost T1Cice as Much
as Men-RecommenddtiOns.

Albany. Jan BIT costs the State OF New York
almost twice much care for "A woman prisoner
as II does to provide for the wants OF male in
of any of its several prisons according TO
the annual report OF the State Commission
Prisons. which made public to-day In Au-
burn Prison. where only men are harbcred the
daily cost Of maintenance for each prisoner was
3s2 cents while in the womens prison at Auburn
IL e7s Another interesting feature of the
report is that the state prisons on october last
had larger number of inmates than at any time
within ten years. with two exceptions. The total
number 12.217 During the year ending that
date the number of prisoners admitted 70 institu-
tons. including county jails penitentiaries and
workhouses. was $3.50. OF whom 22.55 women.
The total number Of women in custody at the close
OF the year was 1881.
Much progress in the education or flliterates in
the prisons is reported by the commission have
! been made during the year There is prison
schooi. with civilian head teacher and convict
assistants in each prison regular course os
study is pursued There is a separate school FOR
women in the women's prison II is suggested that
further advancement IN this line might be made By
the state taking the various penitentiaries or
IL epresent conditions continue exist sending
all persons convicted Of felony either 10 Elmira
Refornatory or to state prison. Under the ex-
istng law persons convicted OF felony and sen
fenced to imprisonment for year less may be
sent to county Jail penitentiary which are
not SO well provided with facilities for education
and employment of prisoners are the state IN
stitutions
The report gives a brief statement OF the in
pOrtant prison legislation of the year. mentioning
that providing for a state commission on proba.
tion; amendment 10 the law establishing a new
state prison take the place Of Sing Sing; chanss
in the county law relating to the mana cement Of
county jails. providing for the entire separation %
minors from adult prisoners; the creation of new
Board of Parole for state prisons. to consist Of
the Superintendent of Prisons and two members
to be appointed by the Governor Ghe board is re-
quired TO monthly at each OF the state prisons
TO make examination and report to the Governor
its recommendations on all applications for pardon
referred to it by the Governor: amendment 70
the Penal Code providing that persons convicted
for a fourth time of felony shall be sentenced 70
Imprisonment for life. but that after stated period
they may be released condtfonalIy by the State
Board of Parole; another amendment extending
the ndeteTmnate sentence law 10 all persons
victed of felony for the first time except murder;
a further amendment providing that persons
victed of murder in the second degree shall here
after be punished by imprisonment under an in
determnate sentence the minimum of which shah
be twenty years and the maximum the offenders
natural life This provision is also made 70 cover
cases of serving life sentences under con-
victon for murder in the second degree
The following is a brief resume of the principal
recommendations contained in the foregoing report
First-Legislative provision for the employment
of an inspector by the eommisson. .,o- +,,, -+,
take care of the sewage kitchen cellar, hnprov-
branch track from the New York Central 10 the
prison yard at Auburn prison; rearrangement o.
salaries for the assistant m&trOnS. and new gar
den fence for the wOmen'S prison
Third-The construction at Clinton prison or an
additional industrial building, a new Kitchen, sec
ton of wall in the of the prison plant
and the establishment of dairy on the prison
farm
Fourth-The equipment of the tuberculosis hoSpi-
tai at Clinton prison with a suitable disinfector,
soIarium. and improved laboratory facilities under
the care of a competent bacteriOlog1St-
Fifth-A liberal appropriation 70 progress ths
work of the new prison TO take the place Of Sing
Sing.
Sfxth-Provfsion for the construction during the
coming year of administration building, with
rooms for officers quarters and for laundry
bath and shop building at Napanoch-
Seventf-The establishment of state warehouses
for misdemeanants TO take the place Of the pres
ent penitentarfes
Eighth-The establishment of a state farm for
incorrfgible female misdemeanants.
Ninth-The construction OF open courts or OUT
door yards all jas for the exercise Of prison.
erS, especially those awaiting trial, and full
poyment for jail ConvictS.
Tenth-The establishment OF state Industrial
school for boys sixteen years OF age and over con-
victed of TnisdemeanOrs.