The sun., 1919-08-24
Criticism Based on
ObservatlonsDur-
ing Ten Months
Confinement IN
der Espionage In
dlctments
INTERIOR of CELL m TIE
TONES
sxoys a oy eReHw eRes

are more wearing, because just as the
prisoner is confined the keeper is con-
fined.
In a great municipality like New
York such things are overlooked,
buried in it's intricate ramitications.
The public press should take up this
question and rectify it. Rectification
would prevent escapes, save lives, save
property, preserve discipline and do
Justice to modest men who are heroes
Tally by their service and sacrifice.
The man who can keep under con-
troll the types l have seen around the
Tombs is not only hero but an ex-
traordinary public servant. Much is
said about the policeman who arrests
the criminals, but nothing is said about
the keeper who protects our commu-
nifty from savages by keeping them
under restraint. The keeper requires
more tact and intelligence than the or
binary policeman Is ever called upon
10 exercise. Since prison methods
have become more humane, since keep
ers no longer rule with bludgeon and
fear they must necessarily use more
tact and judgment; and about this
place l have seen both exercised to an
admirable degree.
keepers often Attacked.
The records of the Department of
Correction are filled with instances
where the keepers have been brutally
assaulted and even killed by desperate
criminals. 1t is very dificult for
criminals to attack keeper when his
mi ind 60 Gro III
it is comparatively easy to overcome
the keeper whose body is exhausted
and his mind logged and dull from
CVerwork.
study Of the inside conditions-I
do not mean casual investigation by
persons going through a prison-would
reveal the truth of what write. Dur
ing the continual confinement l en-
perienced for ten months / have been
able to see that If desperate criminals
with sufficient courage and initiative
seize an opportunity to escape when
ever it suits them to attack keeper
with a mind befogged by overwork or
body weak from the lack of proper food
as a result Of inadequate pay a Sc
rious Jail delivery may result
If attacked in the course of duty his
revolver would be taken away from
him; murder would then result His
tired mental condition would cause him
to leave his keys in some place access
sible to some desperate criminals.
Nothing causes ones mind to be care
less more than overwork The busi-
ress men and taxpayers in the dis
tricts in which the Tombs and many
OF our city prisons are located and who
are required to pay large premiums to
burglary insurance companies could
reduce both premiums and losses by
remedying the deplorable conditions
which now exist in the city prisons.
The burglary insurance companies
alone could save 100000 n year by
giving this matter little of their at
tention.
100000 Lost Annually.
From coming into contact with
criminals indirectly who have barred
to me the innermost secrets of the
workings of the underworld | am in
position TO say that 10000 is lost
annually by burglaries and robbcries
which could be saved to the people OF
this great city by consideration of the
morale of the men who are keeping our
criminals under restraint. While in
the Tombs I heard of one instance
where over 100000 in securities was
stolen by an escaped criminal. The
business firm that suffered the loss
never recovered its property. The
merchants. jewellers, insurance COM
panies and taxpayers should be es-
pecially interested In saving them
selves money by interesting our pres
ent municipal authorities, who are
forced to pursue a policy which is
penny wise and pound foolish"
| prophcsy Jail delivery il present con-
! dit!ons continue. II one comes the au-
thorities who permit these conditions
| 10 exist will DO responsible.