The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1914-08-14
|PENNEA1ARY
IN EXCELLENT
CONDITION
Prisoners' Health
Good
SPLENDID SANITATION
n. z. White. New t.rden, Say.
Cesvicts Must Be Treated Hu.
namely.
SPLENDID SANITATION

Because Of the large nuobsr of prison
en in the state psnisentissy ~ Mounds
VILE from Mcdowell county, and the
large number Of complains received du-
ring the past two pears. ths Mcdowell
Tines decided 70 send . rspresentat to
Investigate conditions in tl,e great state
penal institution and give the public the
benefit Of his labors.
There are about 100 prisoners in the
institution serving terms Of from one
year 70 life. All Of this large number Of
persons must be housed, I'd, clothed and
given work TO do. Ths ~ Of the war
den is to maintain discipaine without
permitting cruelty. sad kslp the san rtary
coadisions up to the hiehsss Standard.
Hon. NJ. z. whitss-sl lingo county,
upon bis appointments - 0ovss.or Hat
asld - warden immsdiAsly - about to
improve NJ sys>sn et verk, Eve 6ssser
food st reduced cost and better the san
itary conditions OF the state prison. The
task was no essy one because come deep
rooted practices which was i'll in effect
upon prisoners and officials had grown
up and could not be ersdicated without
the greatest firmness on the part Of the
warden. but mont White took hold
upon the institution with the determine
ton OF . veteran and within q week had
removed the grounds for much OF the
complaint which had been made 10y
guards, citizens and prisoners against the
administration OF the great prison.
SANITARY CONDITIONS.
The representative of the Mcdowell
Times was received by senator White and
shown through the entire institution.
The senator laid particular stress UPON
cleanliness in all institutions where a
large number OF persons must be confined
anc pointed out the improved and ap-
proved sanitary conditions. The build
ing itself is kept ~ clean a. the home OF
the most fsstidious house xife. Running
wster and stools in each cell, pure air.
shower baths and tubs for the prisoner
who are required not only 10 keep their
persons but also their clothes perfectly
clean. IL 10 almost impossible 70 find a
particle Of dust in the great building.
Everything, including dining room and
rI.. - "A.
degree.
WORK OF PRISONERS.
All Of the prisoners except those who
are sick are required " do work OF some
kin". There 10 the farm, overall factory.
shoe shop, black smith shop and other
forms Of industry, and both men and
women are compelled 70 work; they are
not driven, beat or abused, bot work
must be done. Mr.. White stated that
no cruelty 70 prisoners would be tolerated
and the guards or officials who attempted
the water cure" ''stringing up or
other severe foims Of punishment ordi-
nsrily re-orted u in state prison- would
b. dismissed 81 once; that prisoners are
human though they te convicted Of crime
an a. long ~ he j. at the head ~ the
institution they must ~ treated a. hu-
man beings.
MORAL INFLUENCE.
Warden White j. sttrrsptins 70 sur
round the men ~ith more moral infiu-
sDce. In addition to the splendid sp,.or-
toned chapel where rslizious services arr
regularly held, good books and papers
are furnished the men and they are given
time and encouraged ~ read and inn
prove their condition. Everything po--
sible is being done " make the prisoners
n~rfui members Of society upon their ex l..
70 from the grim walls of MoundsviIIe IN
stesd Of imbittering them against society
and making them ~ mensce. The daily
sod veskiy papers Of the sss~ are sup
Piled 9Th many Others from o<ber sfsses
One Of the most sought alter pagers by
The prisonsns - The Mcdowell Tim~s and
out OF the mesgre earnings of The prison
err about IS Of them are regular sub
scnbsn 10 this publication
AZ In time The warden y furn,-hin~
- psison vish Wsr BoAIssi.s /, order