New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-20

them housed in one of the chapels and in
the loft OF one Of the workshops.
When the new Great Meadow Prison. At
Comstock IS completed the congestion Will
be somewhat relieved by the transfer OF
three or four hundred prisoners, but the
report says that even when the excessive
congestion al Sing Sing is relieved there
will stiil remain from twelve 70 fifteen
hundred men compelled 10 live in small
unsanitary cells. and that sentence to
Sing Sing prison under these conditions for
term OF several years is too often equiva-
lent to a sentence 70 a slow death. Many
Of them become infected with tuberculosis
and have to be transferred either 70 Dame
mora or on the expiration OF their terms
are sent OUT into the world too much dis
eased 70 earn a livelihood. AMI often carry
the germs Of this malady into their fam
lilies and become a menace 70 the health Of
the community in which they live. Others
receive into their system the poison OF
rheumatism from which recovery is ex-
trerely SLOW"
Investigators appointed by Governor Dix
are at present probing the affairs Of the
state Prison Department in an endeavor 20
travagance under the administration OF Su-
perintendent Collins, and the commission
in its report expresses its views as to the
cost of maintaining the states convicts. 1t
quotes figures showing the per capita cost
Of maintenance ~ the three prisons from
1880 10 1910 and questions whether these
figures show extravaganza"
Cost Of Maintenance Lower
! Superintendent Collins vas appointed by
Governor Black in March, 1895. That year
the per capita cost was 1858 50. n 1910 Il
/ had been reduced 10 sl5i 81. The commits
/ sion refers TO the increasing number II
convcts lii the prisons, which II says has.
Of course increased the total cost Of main-
tenance. The report adds:
| But. in spite OF tie very great increase m
| the cost Of living, the per capita cost OF
/ maintenance has scarcely increased at all
/ in tho last few wears and has actually de-
| creased in comparison with the cost ~ the
years 1895 and 1903. inclusive. and the wears
! 1905 ana 1907, inclusive. In the cost ~
maintenance the item Of rations constitutes.
next TO the salaries % officers. the largest
! single expenditures Al Sing Sing last year
{ II amounted 10 1913 cents day per capita.
/ or little less than oue-third Of tho entire
/ cost II maintenance. IL thus appears tLat
I
! is a fraction less than 80 cent d meal tor
each prisoner. such figure bcin- about 10.
! limit Of economy especially when the pres
ent prices Of provisions are considered
/ The commission discusses the subject ~
! probation and parole In their relation 10
each other, and suggests that the state
] Probation Commission he authorized n
I supervise both probation ana parole and
/ report plan for their future manage
ment and control. Both systems. the com
mission thinks. need orga rization and man
agemcnt and IL questions the necessity Of
having a corps Of probation officers cover
inr the whole state and II separate corps
OF parole officers also covering the stat,
The commission renews it, recommends
items for the establishment Of a state re-
fcrmatory for male misdemeanants. II OK
presses the belief that a wise foresight in
taking care Of boys az an carly period Is
the only effectual method OF reducing the
population cf the state PRISONS and until
this is done the number OF prisoners re-
curing care In prisons for felons will keep
on increasing at rapid rate.
Labor colonies for tramps and migrants
are also recommended. 1t Is estimated that
the cost to the taxpayers OF the state by
the present method employed by msgis-
trates IN sending them TO short terms IN
tails workhouscs and pcnitentiaries
amounts TO t2.GloO00 annually.
The establishment Of state warehouses;
t. take the place OF the present peniten-
tiaries Is advocated. Pending such action
by the Legislature the commission believe,
Industries should be established IN the
present penitentiaries on some feasible ar
rangement with the Superintendent OF
Prisons, who should be authorized To mar.
ket the product
The commission depicros the condition OF
! icleness that 50 largely prevails In tie