New-York tribune., 1920-03-19
BedfOrdCruelty
Charges Against
OfficialsU Upheld
Removal of Woman Head
and Assistant Is Asked,
Based ON Unusual Pun
ishment at Institution
Girls Endured Torture
Self-Covernment and Pay
for Work Among Re-
forms Asked by Kennedy

fntendent OF the State Reformatory for
Women at Bedford Hills, ". Y, and her
assistant, Julia A. Minogue, is recon-
nended in the report to Governor Smith
II John S. Kennedy, president of the
state Commission of Prisons. submit
ted to the Legislature yesterday. Mr..
Kennedy recently investigated charges
Of cruelty at the reformatory.
Miss Cobb declined last night to dis
cuss the findings before she had seen
the document
81 have come to the conclusion" says
Mr.. Kennedy in his report, that GER
tain punishments have been inflicted
which were cruel and unusual and had
10 justification under the necessities of
me situation. 1t was proved to my sat-
Iaction that young women found diff
:Nutt to control were handcuffed with
their hands behind their backs and
fastened to the cell grating by another
pair Of handouts attached to those on
.hcir wrists, so that, in some cases,
heir toes or the balls Of the feet only
touched the floor. and while thus sus-
pended their toes were dipped into pals
Of water"
Mr.. Kennedy says medical specialists
we're Of the opinion that testimony to
the effect "that prisoners were while
IN the position just described lifted
completely off their feet and suspended
Tor various periods of time" was prob
ably exaggerated, as this could not be
done without serious injury to the per-
son thus treated.
Accompanying the report was mes
cage to the Legislature from Governor
Smith. who wrote:
"Tho handcrff3pr ne ~,.o1,nr .xL ~.
so-callcd water cure cannot be toler-
ated in the light Of advanced thought.
" omen are sent to Bedford to be bene-
tied by training and by education We
cope 20 show them the better side oe
lie. We hope TO have them realize
,pat the pathway OF virtue and
righteousness leads to reward in this
~crld, as we'll as in the eternity to
comc. While discipline must be main
tanned IN ali institutions, it must be
Tone By methods that DO not tend to
degrade"
Mr.. Kennedy admits that the prob
ems at Bedford are the most difficult
mat confront any correctional or penal
Institution in the state, but adds: ere
9resslve punishment fosters resentment
and lnculcates desire to get even
Force should be used only as a last re-
sort. 10 my mind its use usually indi-
Gates failure in dealing with the dlsci-
pinary lnfraction involved"
TIE recommendations made by Com
missioner Kennedy follow:
That the institution should be re-
sponsible to state department, prefer
ably department Of correction, as rec
commended by the Governors Recon-
structlon Commi ission, with board Of
managers advisory in character.
That the board should be chosen from
2 wide range Of territory, and not con-
fined to Westchester County.
'Ihat new officers charged with the
administration of the institution be en-
Faged so that there may De more har-
nony in work and more progressive and
modern methods
That a laboratory be established
where all cases at entrance may receive
corr piete mental, physical and social ex-
animation and investigation. IT is rec
commended that the laboratory buildings
or the Bureau of Social Hygiene be ac-
guired for this purpose
That a psychiatrist be always avail
aDle to be consulted in every instance of
Unusual conduct that occurs.
lhat the board Of managers rear
range the grouping and methods Of the
institution in accordance with the needs
OF the various types OF prisoners
That an attitude of therapy be
adopted in the reeducation Of each
woman entering the institution ano
shat her treatment while there be based
on the recommendation of those who
have studied her case.
That adequate opportunity for edu
cation IN clerical, industrial domestic
and outdoor occupations, besides ele-
mentarS education, be furnished.
That physical defects be given ade-
ruate treatment, including dentistry.
che correction or errors Of vision and
special treatment for certain disease.
That an institutional spirit, an es-
prit de corps, be built up through some
modified form of self government, the
adoption of good credit system and
perhaps remuneration for work done
and through recreational activities.
That the managers endeavor to OBJ
tain funds for the erection of an iso-
iation building to be located remote
from the main group of buildings, for
cases not responding TO treatment and
that the. building known. as Rebecca
ilall and the disciplinary building be
hen abandoned as places of pun
ishment.
That the Legislature be asked to
make the necessary appropriations
asked for TO provide psychiatrist
nursing staff, director of physical
training. and recreation, the urgently
needed increases In salaries requested
sor matrons and the immediate build
Ing needs.