New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-07
RILEY ATTACKS
SING SING HEAD
Continued from page 1

my Office would proceed to Sing Sing
for the purpose of selecting men for
transfer, and requesting him to confer
with them regarding the men TO be Sc
lected. Upon receipt of my letter ne
called me by phone, and | again urged
him to cooperate with the men l had
detailed. He informed me that II l
persisted in arranging for the transfers
he would resign. lie did not, however
My representatives remained at the
prison for two days. They were guld-
ed in making the selections, not only by
the criminal and prison records OF the
men, but by the advice OF the deputy
warden, principal keeper and superln-
tendent of industries.
During all the time that Mr. Os-
borne continued this most baroarous
practice Of doubling up men he vas ad-
vised that there was ample room IN
the other prisons. During most of the
time there were $50 unoccupied cells
at the new Great Meadow Prison.
would have acted long before | did. but
I was most anxious to do nothing that
would appear in any way to interfere
with Mr.. Osbornes plan for self-gov-
eminent among inmates, and | have
never done so. except in the matter OF
celebrating independence Day by a
prizefight between inmates. which l
prohibited. As | am officially respon-
sible for the transfer Of inmates from
one prison to another, | felt that l
could not longer be in any way respon-
sible for conditions. The claim that
the inmates of Sing Sing fear that they
will lose privileges as result OF Mr..
Osborne's ceasing to be warden, IS. e
my knowledge. entirely without foun-
dation. The most important privileges
now enjoyed by II EN-. such as free
dom of conversation privilege OF
writing letters daily exercise in the
yard.' Sunday dinners and others
were accorded them long before Mr..
Osborne became warden. Even motion
pictures and other forms of proper
entertainment at proper times were
also allowed.
81 may say that upon assuming the
Office of Superintendent of State Pris--
ons, the honor system was introduced
in all the prisons. Men whose record
entitled them to special consideration
were given an opportunity to work on
farms and highways, and in various
outdoor employments. Last year more
than one thousand different prisoners
were so employed. | am pleased to say
that in very few instances was the con-
fdence reposed in the inmates abused.
When | assumed office, | Immediately
inaugurated many changes as a part of
the honor system, which | decided to
establish in all the prisons. | found
that it was a violation of the regula-
tions for one inmate TO speak to an
other. Freedom Of conversation is now
permitted. Prisoners we're classified
according to the number Of convictions;
first term men were to be confined at
Sing Sing and Great Meadow, second
term men in Auburn, and third term
men at Clinton. Under the new regu-
lations inmates are graded according
to their conduct after their arrival in
prison. Those who perform the work
assigned them and observe regulations
are included in the first grade; those
who fail in these respects are relegated
TO the second grade and lose some Of
the privileges allowed first grade men.
Incorrigibles are included in the third
grade Prisoners are promoted or re-
duced as their conduct deserves.
Inmates were not permitted to in
dulge in games or athletic exercises in
the prison yard. This privilege was
allowed, not only at Sing Sing, but at
Auburn and Great Meadow, and is now
permitted at Clinton.
"Under the old system inmates were
locked in their cells as soon as rellg-
ious services were over on sunday
morning, and remained there until
Monday morning, their dinner and sup
per consisting Of bread taken on their
- Ill Of
vices. They now have a regular dinner
in the mess hall and are allowed free
dom of the yard during portion OF the
day. The supper OF prisoners every
weekday was the same as that provided
for Sunday, and was eaten in their
cells. They are now allowed a regular
supper in the mess hall.
"The usual punishment for violation
of regulations was confinement in
dark cell. As soon as my attention was
called to the matter such punishment
was prohibited and the doors were re-
moved from the dark cells, so that
there are more in any Of the prisons.
"The statute required that prisoners
being transferred be not only hand
cuFed but shackled as well. | secured
the repeal Of this law, and wnrdens
are allowed discretion in the matter.
"All these privileges were allowed
and reforms inaugurated long before
Mr.. Osborne became warden.
81 am pleased to say that the inmates
OF all our prisons have generally re-
sponded to the honor system Priv-
ileges granted have resulted in great
Improvement in their physical and
mental condition. During the fiscal
wear ended September 30. 1918. l24 in
mates were transferred 10 the Dame
mora State Hospital for Insane Grim
mails. During the last fiscal year only
81 were transferred. This remarkable
reduction In the number Of cases Of in
sanity is undoubtedly due 10 reforms
inaugurated since became superln-
tendent. In none of thsr~ tAs Mr..
Osborne participated"