Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-17


A modern and more humane
system, under new and better
administration, should be inaug-
urated at once.
The care of the prisoners and
the results of his labor should
no longer be in the control of one
and the same man. Two separate
positions are essential to mod
ern system. The management of
the prisoners, when on the pub
lie works, should be in the con
troll of a superintendent for that
purpose. The man who holds the
position of warden Is responsible
To the state, the county and the
public at large for the treatment
or the prisoners. He should also
be superintendent of the camps
and responsible for their condi-
tion. He should be exclusively
authorized to punish, but only
Tor violation of rules imposed by
the state Commission and the
Board of County Commission
ers.
The right man in this position
would quickly remedy present
evils. The Ill treatment OF the
county's prisoners, white and
olack alike, at the hands OF n
very disreputable class OF guards
and bosses, is cruel and should
not be allowed to continue. Many
improvements are needed which
would neither lessen discipline
nor decrease efficiency.
Better Men Needed as Guards.
The character of guards and
bosses employed should be care
fully Investigated, for they have
practically autocratic control
over the lives of the prisoners at
these camps
simple humanity demands fair
treatment of chained and shackled
men, and protection for them
from brutal attacks OF armed
guards who abuse the power and
authority given them
The sanitary condition OF these
camps is a public disgrace. espe-
cially the present bathing ar
engagements. which tend to de-
stroy the last vestige of self-re-
spect, and subjects the prisoner
10 every conceivable danger of
injection from dangerously con-
tagious diseases through the
forced use by n number OF men
or the same water in a wooden
tub. 1t is unjust to endanger the
Ire and health of these prisoners
under the present practice.
Claiming of Prisoners Scored.
The practice OF claiming pris-
oners together when in bed at
night is barbarous This is an
unnecessary form OF torment
which nothing justifies.
Better constructed barracks and
sober, watchful guards would
make this increased burden UNI
necessary, as has been done in
Bellwood camp. the State farm
and in other counties OF the State.
The whipping OF the convict IS
entirely In the control OF his par
ucular guard. There is no ap-
peal. This results in terrible suf-
ferirgs by the unfortunate man
who has incurred the guards en-
nifty for any cause. The whin-
ping of the naked body of
shackled white man chained TO
his fellows is a horrible thing Of
Itself But when the unfortunate
man is frail or sick. such punish
ment becomes heartless cruelty
and the act OF an inhuman mon
ster.
Law for Lash Not Enforced.
There are State laws covering
whipping liz chaingangs, but in
our camps they have not been
strictly enforced. Prompt and
full reports to the State Prison
Board of all whippings are not
made In all instances. State
ments OF prisoners. that more
than the number of blows allowed
by law are often inflicted, may be
OF doubtful credit, but there is
sufficient evidence on the subject
TO warrant the belief that this
does occur.
The immoral conduct OF guards
toward helpless women relatives
OF prisoners who seek TO visit
these unfortunates at the camps
is in keeping with the atmos-
phere that pervades the camps
The present rule which allows
the prisoner to communicate by
letter with his family and the
outer world but one day in
month is entirely without justi-
fication.
The efforts to discourage sun
day religious services and mis-
sionarv efforts I'm behalf Of the
prisoners on the part OF the high
er officials and guards should be
stopped. The evidence Of the
men themselves is that they well
come outside good influences and
that good 10 accomplished.
Life Shortened in Camps.
Human life in our convict
camps has been shortened by con-
ditions there To MANY the life
Of the camps IS an enduring hell
OF agony. The most degraded
man Is worthy OF better treat
meut
The present conduct OF our
whole prison system Is degraded
by ignorance and brutality. ONLY
ignorance ~ the facts on the part
Of the general public has allowed
such abuses 10 continue this long
The recommendations Of this
Grand Jury are.
First That Mr. Thomas J Dom
aldson and his influence be clint
mated from control ~ the county's
prison system