Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1910-09-08
No. I. Atlanta Prison.
By Capt P. d. HELMS. Deputy
United States Marshal.

[AOlOlIlilE ZIG CASAhC AOSAh - NA~ 4
repair shop. which is fitted out with
almost every conceivable mechanical
tool A wide work bench stretches
along one OF the walls. and there are
several different machines in the
room. Ii resembles a miniature
machine shop. and all the repair
work for the institution IS attended
TO here. There is in fact little ne
oessity for any OF the various de-
partments OF this enormous inSttu-
ton 10 seek assistance or the services |
OF outsiders in carrying on their in
dividual work. In almost every re
sPect the prison is self-sustaining.
There has recently bsen installed II
the PRISON building by this depart
ment a new 100 line telephone switch
board for local use. and new auto
matte water heater. with a capacity
Of 25OO per hour. The Installation
OF a new twelve ton refrigersuDg
engine IS nearly completed. il ao-
diuon TO two new engines which
| give a capacity Of eighteen tons.
| There has been a contract executed
for duplication Of the present battery
OF o. Brien boilers. and these should
be ready for firing within a short
tune. The engine and boiler rooms
are connected with the remainder OF
the prison by the underground tun-
mel only. The chance Of escape
from these is very slight tor the
windows are narrow and heavily
, barred. Wnle a short distance out
= side looks up the high concrete wa.
: with two ssntnels IN guard tower
= overlooking the space. The prison
& ers therefore have freedom OF bot
y .oons &C enable them 10 perforr
= her laoors. but at al times there
s AZ omiaous silence throughout bot
y / rooms. Tor the prisoners al work ar
=. | not allowed 20 converse. All order
81 ! come directly from the officer
u / charge OF either room and the Sigh
- est oisobe6ience is penalized
s. punished. II returning 10 the frol
y OF the building the dining hall vi
~ our next point OF interest. IN
s. room is three hundred feet lOr
- by one hundred and fifty feet viz
- and IS located in the center OF 4
3 prison building. and on the fiE
- floor. AT tie front OF the room
3 an elevated platform upon which d
- Superintendent OF the officer
= charge sits az desk. He IS unarr
Is &C and is the only official IN &
s room during the meal hour. {
= either side OF the room are ten lar
> triple windows barred al
\ | fastened. On the outside Of ca
- middle window is q cage. this ca
. opens into the prison enclosui
During the meal an officer is static
&c IN each one Of these cages frc
which a survey can &c made Of
entire dining room. He IS arm
with q repeating rife and is consta
- ~ on the watch 10 quen any uprisil
The only thing that the prison
could Go would be 70 attack
officer at the desk. in case Il
escape. However. being unaTmt
their attack upon him would De
pysed 10 q deadly fire from
windows and doors. The room
fitted up with smooth tables. VII
. resemble school desks. And
. arranged In a manner similar 70 de
II a school room, there are six rc
= with twenty six tables IN row.
seats at z table. the seat IS a 81
= revolving chair without back S
= port. After taking his seat at
desk on the platform the supe
u tendent gives a signal and the
= trance opens automatically and
prisoners march in regular o.
B ~ from their cell house 10 their allo
- numbers. standing until al are