New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-27
OSBORNE ASKS REFORMS
AFTER A WEEK IN PRISON
Presents Report to Superinten-
dent Riley Based on View
from ConviCt'S Side.
ASKS ONLY MINOR CHAN GES
All Are Along Line of More HUI
name Treatment of Those
Incarcerated in the
Cells at Auburn.

Auburn. n. V, oct 26.-The first official
report by the New York State Commits
sion on Prison Reform was made public
to-day by the chairman. Thomas Mott
Osborne, and is "A preliminary action by
the commission. based on the recent study
of prison conditions by Mr.. Osborne. who.
in the guise OF a convict, spent week In
Auburn Prison and went through the
entire routine, including punishment in
the dungeon" for refusing to work.
Mr.. Osborne presented the report to
John r.. Riley Superintendent of state
Prisons here to-day. lie said that II
was not to be considered as the sole re-
suit of his investigation, but was merely
request for immediate changes, most
Of a minor character. which his commits
sion believes to be in line with more hu-
name treatment of prisoners. Among the
recommendations in the report are tine
following:
|. Simplifying the taking OF a converts
record. Five methods arc now followed
out with each new arrival, and there Is
much unnecessary red tape.
. Privacy In bathing new arrivals. Now
the men are bathed in a tub In the shop
in fun view of the convicts working
there.
g. The commission raises the question
as TO whether one bath a week Is sum
cient and hcalthful for men who are
engaged In hard manual labor
T. Each convict should have an extra
suit OF underwear. In this connection the
report says: AT the present time the
nd tniprC Of hin z
OF convicts is far from healthy because
Of perspiration. II an extra suit were IL
each cell. a man could use one for wear
one for nightclothes. and one would DC III
\ the wash. Now the men sleep In their
| underwear and wear 1t daytimes.
! : The report recommends a re-codifica-
ton Of the rules, which are incomplete.
| 6. II also suggests that prisoners be al
| lowed TO read newspapers and magazines.
| They now do so surreptitlously. the re-
mort saws. and II urges that no good is Ia
be gained by denying prisoners newspa-
pers and magazines sent In by publishers
and from sources that are reliable.
| !. The rules for writing and receiving
letters need drastic revision Take away
mans benefits. II necessary TO punish
him. but do not deprive him of his friends
and family"
| s. While the food is good, 'the coffee
and tea are execrable." and the report
recommends the abolition Of the use OF
tea and Improvement in the coffee.
o The system which sends men TO pun
ishment cells on very limited portions OF
bread and water seems both brutal and
unnecessary, the report rays, and should
be modified.
10. That a graded system Of punishment
should be adopted for offences is another
recommendation There is no sense OF
proportion or fairness In the melting out
| OF punishment. The punishment for
whispering is the same as for assault, ex-
cept as to duration.
| IL. There seems 10 be no good reason for
enforcing a policy Of silence. Men are
face of nature. Universal conversation
is not urged. the report continues, but a
simple rule permitting ordinary CONVEX
sation, when II does not interfere with
| the work or cause disorder, should be
| adopted.
| II. In case OF severe punishment meted
to prisoner involving the extreme pen
atty OF the punishment cells, there should
be direct action by the warden and pun
ishment only after a hearing By him.
Is. The sale OF tobacco and groceries
should be regulated with greater care.
| Excessive use of a specified article is
often INDUCED In to the harm Of the
prisoner.
A. In Auburn there should be sale OF
matches as In Sing Sing. Men are forced
to use flint and steel when matches might
be sold to them as I'm the other prisons.
| 10. Provision should be made for rainy
days. Convicts are now forced 10 march
| through the long yard and often become
| drenched. and on return TO their cells
| they have no alternative but TO 20 to bed
or sit up in wet clothes, there being no
change OF clothing In the cells. A water
proof cape for use In marching outdoors
in Indictment weather is suggested
is. The kitchen should have n civilian
cook An officer to supervise II is deemed
advisable. Only a professional cook can
| obtain the best results from the materials
provided.
H. Extension OF the play hour" now
from $40 to p. m. IL urged, and the
whole hour from $50 until 1880 is recon-
| niondcd for playing instruments.