New-York tribune., 1910-11-30
CRUELTY TO PRISONERS
Shocking Conditions in Albany
Penitentiary Alleged.
REPORT FROM INSPECTORS
Call It Unfit and Degrading
Dutchess Convicts May Be
Sent There No Longer.
TBy Telegraph to The tribune. ]

Poughkeepsie, n. Y, Nov 2s.-In a letter
to the Board of Supervisors of Duchess
County, George Mclaughlin, secretary Of
the New York State Prison Commission,
to-day warns the board to take steps to
prevent prisoners from being sent to the
Albany County penitentiary, and urges the
board to extend the warning to the judges
in this county, who might commit prison
to that institution
Secretary Mclaughlin says the institu-
ton is unfit to house men and women, and
his statement is backed up by two reports
made by inspectors last year and this. In
their reports to the commissioners s. r
Quick and Frank E. Wade tell of the un-
sanitary condition of the penitentiary, and
declare that until the reforms recon-
mended by the commission are introduced.
or, at least the more important recon-
rnendations are carried out. the penf-
tentiary is IAN unfit and degrading place
for any prisoner to be confined"
The inspectors visited the place last on
August 5 Of this year. They inspected 1t
on August "a 1909, and the conditions are
row about the same as they were then.
they say the management having failed
to carry out the recommendations OF the
commission.
The report says that 1.-The present condl-
t,on and manageuent are out of harmony
with modern penal methods, and rehect
discredit on the county which maintains II
In each cell are two hunks. one above the
other, each two feet wide and attached to
ircn frames, on which the prisoners sleep.
The hunks are without bed clothing, and
the sagging canvas bottom leaves mar
row depression in which the prisoners sleep
between bars. The only ventilation IN the
cells is a four-inch hole in the rear, and
most of the holes are stopped up, the pris-
oners explain, TO keep out the vermin
The report says the cells are unclean
except in the women's section Their in
vestigations showed that prisoners re-
ceived blankets when they entered the
penitentiary, and these blankets, un-
washed, did service throughout the term
Some of the prisoners we're IN for from
six to twelve months The male prisoners
must sleep naked or in the striped prison
suits 1t is alleged. They remain in their
cells fifteen out of the twenty-four hours
and eat all their meals in their cells from
tin plates and cups. The report says that
where two prisoners occupy one cell the
condition is intolerable. The penitentiary
officials say that the cots are washed out
cells dc not look it
The idleness of the prisoners Is deplor'
able. the inspectors declare. Most OF them
have nothing to do. and more than nall
Of them sit idle in their cells or in the
penitentiary workshop all day. No ef'
forts are made TO instruct them IN any
kind Of work, and there are not enough
baths, the inspectors say, to keep the
prisoners clean.
The commissioners recommend tha'
shower baths be put in and the vermlr
exterminated; that undergarments be gfver
to the prisoners, and that teachers be EN-
ployed to instruct them; that they nave
another place to eat their meals, and ina
the plain prison clothes be worn instead
of the huniliating stripes.
The magistrates In Dutchess County were
informed this afternoon Of the report ant
the courts are asked no longer TO sene
prisoners to the Albany institution.