The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-06-27
LUDLOW STREET JAIL
The Sherhf's Famous Prison In
New York City.
ITS GUESTS WELL TREATED.

The inmates Wear No Uniform and
Have Many Privilssss-Ths Disei-
plins 10 Quite Gentle and the Sur
roundinss Peaceful and HemsliI<s.
Walking through the streets Of the
squalid, noisy east side. the visitor In
New York II quite unprepared for the
peace and clean LONELINESS which
greet him In the sherin's prison in
Ludlow street. Thanked BY public
school and police court on two sides.
the brick building. ornamented with
antique iron grill over long windows,
resembles . village church or old fash
Toned hall Of learning. The outer
clamor does not penetrate its cool clois-
tiers. The struggle for existence Is
halted at the threshold. But 1t Is not
SO easy to enter the sherifrs rest es-
tablishment. The guard who opens
the front door In response to the cleo
trio bell eyes the visitor suspiciously,
as II the latter might be trying to
break into the county haven without
proper credentials. The only persons
entitled to the privileges Of the Lud-
low tavern are those in contempt Of
surrogates' and certain other courts,
federal bankrupts. delinquent militia
men, execution and judgment debtors
and breach OF promise and alimony
men.
However, the visitor who can prove
that he has no sinister purpose is
ushered into q coxy parlor fitted with
rugs. pictures and plano. Here he
meets the warden. who talks freely
and simply about his guests. He adj
mits he has never read Lombroso or
any other criminologist. What's the
use? They don't send felons to this
place. The learned observations Of
penologists do not apply to the in
mates Of Ludlow tavern. Methods Of
discipline and reform are supernuous.
There are just few rules, such as OBJ
tain in any well regulated hostelry. A
guest on arrival has his pedigree taken
at the ONCE Is shown up to his sleep
ing chamber. gets introduced to the
gentlemen In the sitting room and is
left to his own devices-no uniform,
no hair cut, none Of the unpleasant fea-
lures OF common prison. There Is,
indeed. q genteel search for sharp in
strumentn, keys and knives ~ forbid
den articles. but there II no conf1sca-
ton Of any other private possessions.
A man may bring in all the books,
writing material. tobacco, clothes. toll
let articles and bric-a-brao that he
pleases.
The rising bell rings at $50 q. m.
and the guests have chance to wash.
shave and make their beds before
breakfast, at 8 O'Clock. The regular
breakfast consists Of coffee and rolls,
but guests may supplement- It with
eggs cooked at the hot water tap or
may order. ut their own expense. an
elaborate meal from the menu card Of
q nearby restaurant The morning
newspapers are at hand, 90 that gueats.
while slipping their coffee, may scan
headlines and note the progress Of
events
After break fast every one goes into
the yard for an hours exercise. The
high brick wai1s do not bar the sun
shine from the yard. which - about
sixty feet square and stone tagged
around . central grass plot After the
exercise hopr the guests repair to =
large sitting room and read. study or
play penuchle. checkers. dominos and
chess. There = . small library Of
books and magazines. Those who
have private stocks Of literature ex-
change their hooks Ia Q fraternal
spirit
The dinner bell rings ut noon- 4
wholesome stew. . boiled dinner a. .
plate q nsh and potatoes = provided.
II this seems TOO frugal even Tor clcis-
ter life. there = tAe restaurant menu
to fan back on. As rule. though the
inmates are satisfied with tbs regular
1Are. Another ho1r = to yard. N
0l4annA nA~ - 49, n1111nG- 4zn1A