The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-10

neatedly served in other penal institu-
tons and In State prisons, after con-
! viction of horrible crimes involving
morals. The c~o-mingling of these
hardened criminals with so-called first
offenders is one of the cardinal sins of
the management.
zone of the advanced methods OF
reformation is the teaching of trades.
and it is the common impression that
such a course is pursued at Railway.
Often we hear a sentencing judge an
nounce. I will not send you to State
prison; l will give you a chance; I
will send you TO Railway where
you will be given an education and
taught a trade SO that when your term
expires you will become a useful citi-
ZEN What rornancing in the light
of the prevailing practises."
Shocking Abuse OF Inmates.
evidences OF cruel treatment of the
inmates by the officers have come to the
committee in such abundance that it
cannot resist belief of their truth in
many Instances. Inmate were struck
with canes. beaten kicked and, knocked
down. For lighting two inmates We're
compelled to beat each other with a
tblack-snake whip.
"A shocking instance of neglect was
demonstrated by the evidence concern
ing the death of one William Fordham.
While in the paint shop he drank wood
alcohol, Il noXious poison. Believing
him to be intoxicated, he was hand
cuffed and strung up TO the bars in a
semi -comatose condition, in which posi-
ton he was left grooming and moaning
from 3 to IL o'clock p. m. when he
collapsed and died without medical at
t%ention.
The COMMITTEES cannot too severely
censure the assistant superintendent in
charge for infiicting upon his victim
the merciless treatment which preceded
death.
zone of the forms of discipline in
vogue - to chain boys in under
ground dungeons for six days consecu-
lively upon a diet of bread and water.
THE superintendent, while conscien-
tiously devoting himself to the institu-
ton, misconceived the duties and
obligations he owes to his position.
. = = In the judg lent of the COM
mittee a personal, efficient superin-
tendency by him would minimize the
abuses rampant in the reformatory.
Parole system Is Condemned.
1.-THE parole system. as conducted. is
not to be commended. Under its rules,
by good behavior, a prisoner may earn
his liberty in twelve months. The con-
sequence is. as the committee believes,
that some are deprived of their liberty
beyond the period limited by law. Fer
remedy, the committee recommends the
following enactments:
THAT all inmates over the age
of 80 years at the time of their sem
tence, and those who have previous
ly served terms in State prisons of
this or any other state or country,
or those who stand convicted of
crime involving moral turpitude. be
forthwith removed TO the State
prison, and that the superintendent
hereafter reject any embraced with
in the foregoing description.
THAT the labor contract system
shall be abolished and trades
schools substituted.
THAT confinement in underground
dungeons or solitary cells be abol-
ished.
'That disciplinary punishment
shall not be melted out, except I'M
der the personal supervision of the
superintendent.
That corporal punishment he
prohibited and made q misdemeanor.
THAT to prevent unfair discrim-
ination in enforcing the parole sys-
tenn, records of convicts be kept
together, and under a single contin-
uous entry.
1.-THE committee has examined into
the question of water now used for
/ flpinlrfnu rt1rr1aGa~ NJ fHo PnfnrTnnfOfU
and is of the opinion that. for numerous
reasons, it would be wise to provide q
private source of supply"
Say Contract shows Graft.
The committee directs attention to
the contract involving the construction
of the new cell wing, in which, it lays.
appear the real marks of corrupt
practises, ~colloquially called graft
Regarding the State prison at Tren-
ton, the committee reports that it is
'excellently, intelligently and jndicious-
ly run" The committee recommends
equipping the institution with a cen
trail heating. lighting and power plant,
which, at conservative figures, would
occasion a net annual saving of at
least 5000 1t says that a separate
woman's wing is badly needed, the
present one being o~vercrowded and un-
sanitary. IL a suitable appropriation
is advised.
BOard of Control Advocated.
The committee recommends the e.
ton of a state Board of Control" to
have the management and control OF
ali penal and e~leemosynary ~organiza-
tions maintained by the State: that
fair compensation be allowed; that all