New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-27
BIACKWELL'S CELLS
NOT FIT FOR PIGS
Deputy Lewis Excoriates
Island Hospital and
Prison Affairs.
INSANE AND UNRULY
PRISONERS SUFFER
Whitman Raps Warden's Method
of Handling Fine Money
Probe Suggested.

letter declaring that conditions on
Blaclxwelrs Island are so vile ana IN
human that the Department Of Correc-
ton will not assume responsibility 1or
incarcerating people there unless I'M
,.rovements are made" which was sent
recently by Burdette 6. Lewis Deputy
Commissioner Of Correction. 10 Mayor
Mitchell was made public yesterday
along with a communication sent 10
Or Davis by District Attorney WHIT
man. co,
a,ne letter reveals that Deputy Com
missioner Lewis has made a thorous'
,rveetieation Of the prisons ana nos
-, -, tho island and that the de-
nartment wants more physicians anu
nrrsas there and more rigid super
vision bv those in direct charge u a.
fairs on the island.
we are face TO face with Crisis Oh
PlackweTs Island" Deputy Com'ris
eioner Lewis reports, "and we hu9'
me-, - n once 1 would point out 10
,.ou that the cells in the lower tier IN 'i'e
west wing of the penitentiarS' "i'e' =
temnorarilv insane prisoners anu u"
rulv prisoners are kept. are wet sii'"S >
dork foul-smelHng and unfit for pigs
.. weldon, IN. Also the cells IN ti'e
r+b wing known as the punishment
rers are lust as bad. the Depa' 'iii''''
If Correction cannot assume resp0i'-
s,h,,itv for incarcerating human beings
in these cells.
.cyva are also compelled to notify your
honor that we cannot be responsive io'
the discipline or the conduct or the
onor,oves. from the warden down so
loo nc the present conditions exist.
Nv Lewis then asks for new build
ing. and continues;
~Tbo DEPARTMENT of Correction is uh-
willing 10 be a party TO any ponOS
which will continue these conditions
Mr. Whitman in his letter TO com .
missioner Davis points out as one oi
the greatest abuses in the isiano sys-
,em the practice of Warden Patrick
HAYES in deposting the fines taken
nom prisoners to his own account ana
later turning it over to the city.
AS YOU we'll know" Mr.. Whitman
vvrote. many sentences imposed upon
defendants sent 70 the penitentary are
accompanied by the imposition or me
\ certain proportion of these mes -
served out by defendants unable 10 pay
the same. A large proportion or these
fires. however is paid by the dereno-
ants or their families. This Involves
the handling of a considerable amount
of money by the warden Of the penl-
tertiary. 1t seems that ii has been the
custom for the warden TO deposit the
e,e money thus received 10 his own
personal account.
There has been no recent examina-
t;on OF this matter by the Commission
e~s Of Accounts, nor by any city ON
ciaI Il seems TO me that this is mat
,er which should be carefully examined
erd as il is one which relates to your
densrtment Il seems To be one that
should 0rst be investigated by YOU
should YOUR investigation reveal any
violation Of the provisions or the peha'
law I Will be pleased to cooperate
with YOU and to submit such informa-
ton as you NAV possess to the grand
Jury. should the evidence warrant such
action"
Replying 10 the District Attorney
Commissioner Davis promises 10 make
. .borc,ol trvectig2tion