South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-11
NEW ILLINOIS
PENITENTIARY IS
MODEL PRISON
Latest Methods of Construc-
ton and Sanitation Used
in Building.


JOLIET. H.. Nov. 1O.-The new
Illinois state penitentiary. a walled
city OF concrete and brick, Is on the
final lap OF construction. and thoss
in charge now figure that within five
years the penal institution will be
entirely completed.
The new prison is located at
StatesviIe, near Joliet. and has been
viewed by officials Of seven European
nations. as we'll as governor ana
wardens from practically every stare
in the union.
The prison wall incloses sixty-four
acres. The walls. an innovation IN
cement construction, loom up thirty
three and a half feet in height and
extend into the ground from ten 10
twenty feet. They cannot be sczled,
Il is figured, as there are no lodges
az the top where hooks or ropes can
be fastened. The smooth, gently
sloplng sides afford no chances for
foOtholds.
When completed there will be
eight cell houses, circular in con-
struction. Two cell-houses VIII be
for the less criminal" and four for
those who are under regular prison
discipline.
Use Brick and COncnete.
Henry VI. TOmlinson, superintend-
ent Of construction, was confronted
with a unique problem when nc
started the building Of the second
dollhouse. The specifications called
for brick walls. with white brick
facing Cost of materials and labor
has advanced so far beyond tho
state allotment for the work that
after considerable perirnentation
Il was decided 10 pour concrete be-
tween two walls Of brick. This saw
ed 1000. 600 brick and altogether.
cost one half the amount figured for
solid brick construction. All Of the
other Cell-hOuses are being built
along the concrete-b brick plans.
The prison building proper is in
the center OF the prison yard and IS
laid out in a circular fashion, with
the Dining room In the center and
the ceIl-houses circling around It
The eight cell-houses will be con-
nected 10 the central dining room by
means Of one-story corridors. with
Easements, making the plans re-
semble a petaled flower. with the
dining hall as its center.
The cells surpass in appointments
the rooms OF many hotels, each hav-
ing n iavatory. with hot and cold
running water. a toilet, an outside
window. a steel bed with ample
clean bedding, table and enamele5
wals
Lookout Tower
In the center OF the prison yard
IS a tower, with an underground
entrance. From the platform IN the
tower the guard can look into every
cell. He can open a single ceTl-door
or all Of them from his station and
can switch on one light or all lights
from the same switchboard.
II the inmate IS suspected OF any
irregularity his cell can be inumin-
ated instantly from the central tower
and n some OF the prisoners get in
possession OF firearms and open fire
on the guard n steel shutter can he
instantly dropped.
The prison has IT'S own water svs-
TEN. supplied by two artesiau wells.
workshops and a hospital at pres-
ent are under construction. Before
plans were finally drawn W Carlus
Zimmerman former state architect,
made an extensive tour OF Europe.
visiting ancient and modern prisons.
The solitary" known in the old
prison IS 1.-THE black hole" Is en-
tirelv different IN design and object
OF past endeavors. Silence is the
punishment melted out for mira ctions
Of rules. attempts 20 escape and
other deviations from rules which
draw sentences for the convicts. In
the new solitary there is ventilation,
but the wallis inside and out are alb
soIuteIy sound-proof. Not a sound
can be heard within that little build
ing. There Is a cork IiEOleum floor,
cork walls and an ingenious window
shutter which keeps out noise.