New-York tribune., 1912-01-22
MANY INSANE IN PRISONS
Supt. Scott Would Send Them
All to Dannemora.

Albany, Jan. 21.-That many insane con.
,icts are at present confined in the vari-
GUS prisons of the state because Of the lack
Of accommodations at the Dannemora
State Hospital for the Criminal Insane Is
asserted by Colonel Joseph +. Scott, Super
intendent OF State Prisons, in his annual
report to the Legislature.
There is no doubt" says Superintendent
Scott, ''if the population OF the different
prisons were examined by board Of alien
lists that many men now confined in the
Prisons would be found TO be suitable sub
Jects for Dannemora State Hospital, but
owing 20 the small number which can be
accommodated at this hospital II has not
been practicable 10 admit any more than
has been done II should be so extended
that in no case should an insane convict
be retained in the different prisons"
Superintendent Scott makes these recon-
mendstions:
The extension of Dannemora State Hos
pita so as TO avoid housing insane con-
victs in the state prisons.
central prison for those awaiting exc
cution OF the death penalty. ~ the staSe sly,
Is to continue its policy OF capital punish
ment
The employment of convicts in Clinton
prison at building roads.
Extensive additions TO Matteawan State
Hospitsl for the Criminal Insane more
wages for the employees and more hberality
Al equipment and supplies.
Authorizations for the completion Of the
Great Meadows prison, at Comstock.
The removal Of the State Prison Tor
Women, at Auburn, 10 the site pt tne State
Farm for Women, at Nalate, or ADJOINING
An increase in the percentage allowed TO
prisoners from their earnings; .,or,,,o1
An automatic way by when reformed
eonvicts may regain their civic rights Tree
from caprice and pubhcity.
The MatteaWan state Hospital is at pres
ent overcrowded. and extensive additions
are advised Superintendent Scott says he
believes that ''the only way that the unrest
and Objectionable features of this institu-
tion can be removed Is by better scale or
wages and more liberality in equipment
and supplies" The report continues:
While II Is realized that many desperate
insane criminals are couhned IN MatteaWaI.
who need 10 be kept under the strlcteSt
confinement and surveillance. there are sun
many inmates who need not be constantly
kept under the same conditions, ana very
much greater freedom and latltuoe mlEut
be allowed them II there were proper ID. ia
cili,ies for so doing and treatment more
akin to that accorded I'm the civil hospitals
should be inaugurated, la place oi tie
stricter prison methods now 10 vogue.
The amounts appropriated for the main
tenance OF Matteawan In the last years
have been insufficient. and each year y.a a
large deficiency appropriation mas saor.s
required 10 supervise this class OF the IN.
sane has necessitated the payment ot VeISS
snail wages. resulting in constan. anu an
numerous changes among the aSta1 aSttseH,rs nj
The amount expended for clothing ,na am
other supplies has, at many times pee''
tnsuffcient.
While he says that capital punishment
should he abolished IS "a relic OF par
barisrn." Superintendent Scott does hoI
recommend IL II executions are to be con-
tinued the superintendent believes a cen
trsl prison for those awaiting death shouid
be constructed. and he recommends an Ap-
preparation for that purpose.