The Calumet news., 1912-07-27
TO ABOLISH OLD
MEXICAN PRISON
Government Proposes to Build
Some Modern Institutions

| Mexico tltN, July 27.-rSan Juan d =
| Clua at Vera cruz, which for two cen
turies and half under Spanish and
Mexican rule has been miltaf.
prison, will soon have no moro tcrrore
for the criminal, provided the National
Assembly consents to Che necessary
laws for its abolition now under con
cideration.
President Madero during an inspec-
! lion of the prison while he was prcsl-
dent-elc promised tie prisoners that
he would See that they were trans
| ferred To some more hdbiqble place
but the move has met with difficulties.
The only federal prison available for
the transfer was the Castle of Perotc.
in the state of Vera Cruz. near the di-
vide on the gulf slope, which was
found to be too small and. until after
many alterations We're authorized,
could not be used.
plan To transfer the prisoners to
The Islands of the Three Marias. off
The Pacific coast, opposite San Bias.
Topic, was also met by the undesira-
bility of mirgling the more hardened
criminals with the minors both men
ana women. for fhom the island col
uny Is now reserved.
Quintana Roo, the other Mexican
penal colony. has been condemned ON
account of the unsanitary conditions
there, and is already fun IL the neces-
sary appropriation is voted houses of
correction will be built i'm various parts
of the republic for the reception Of
hose now sent to the Marias which
viii allow the men and women 10 be
segregated. This will make possible
the transfer of the prisoners in san
Juan dc llua.
Old Prison inspired Terror.
The old fort of san Juan, the Morro
Castle of Mexico, has always held for
the political offender and the evil doe
all the horror ever inspired by tho Bas-
| tile or the Tower OF London Il is
built on an island in the bay at Vera
| cruz, about a mile from the shore, ard
comparatively few Of the thousands
who have entered it's gates have conc
forth alive. Many of the cells are par
| tally under water when the tide is
| tull. and the interior ones are veritable
duneeons without light or ventilation.
In these in spanish times the cuIpr'ts
were confined, the water reaching to
their waists.
Under Mexican rules these lower
cells are said to have been abandoned
] rs places of confinement; but col-
Iiemnation to few months imprison-
iment i'm the least unsanitary por.lons
Of the grewsome fort. overfun VITA
lvormin and rceking i'm tie filth of CEN
turies, meant a lingering death. ana
many of Mexico's political prisoners
have dropped from signt within it,
walls
Escape From Place Impossible.
The cornerstone Of the castle was
laid by the Spaniards i'm 1928. It's
foundations alone are said to have cost
more than $i,OOO.OOO gold, and the as
gregate sum spent on the castle by the
Spaniards over $200O00OO gold. The
| fact that the castle is still in use is
| evidence of the efficiency with which
the work of construction was done.
| Escape from the place is impossible
not only on account of the guard which
is maintained, but because of the
sharks which infcst the waters Of the
| harbor.
San Juan was the last stronghold II
the Spaniards in Mexico wEcn The
MeXicans triumphcd in the War of In
dependence NJ 1921 Their last act be
fore evacuation was 10 turn the guns
of the fort en- the city of Vera Cruz,
subiecting T. to bombarGment that
all but DESTROYED it.