Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-16
Failure of Legislature to Pro-
vide Sufficient Funds for
Operation Blamed for Most
of Conditions

1e'ilul . " PlONluC Sul1lClSuI luIluS
for the operation of the prison farm
at Milledgeville the blame for most
of the conditions criticized in the re-
cent investigation, and denying en-
phatically that any conditions merit
| ing severe criticism exist at the
farm, the state prison commission
has issued a statement signed by the
three members, E. l.. Rainey, T. E.
Patterson and R. f. Dawson.
The statement follows:
In view of recent sensa tional newspaper
publications and many misleading reports
and statements we deem it a duty to our
selves and the people of Georgia who have
entrusted us with responsible duties to
make known the real facts and conditions
concerning affairs at the state farm. We
have no desire or intention to shirk any
responsibility that justly be charged to
us, but we do object to having the blame
to the failure of the legislature to make
adequa tie provision for their correction. And
in saying this we do not, by any means,
admit that these conditions are as bad as
they have been represented, for most en-
phatically they are not.
1t is conceded by the most CaptiOus critic
and Pathfinder that the food is wholesome
and suitable for the prisoners; that the
clothing is sufficient and adequate for their
needs, and that they are well provided with
bedding. The water supply for drinking is
given unanimous approval, but water for
bathing is criticised as being muddy. This
is true in times of excessive and continued
rains such we have had recently, but it
is condition that, cannot be remedied
without the expenditure of a considerable
sum of money, which the legislature has
never provided The attention of many
legislative committees has been called to
this matter by the commission, but without
results. No money for this purpose has
been Forthcoming. 1t is worthy of note
that another state institution is supplied
with this same water by the prison COM
mission from the water system the state
farm, and complaint or criticism has
been heard from the legislative committee
who inspected it at the same time the peni-
Tertiary committee made their inspection
We would also state that the prison COM
mission has made every effort to improve
the water supply, even to the extent, after
consulting with the state geologist, who
| visited the farm and suggested the location,
of making efforts to obtain water by sink
ing two deep wells, which proved unsuc-
cessful.
Much to our regret some chinches were
found on some of the beds in the male
white ward. Ordinarily there can be but
little excuse for such a condition, which
has seldom prevailed at the state farm.
We state positively that the buildings are
usually as free from vermin as any prison
anywhere, ard are kept in neat and
clearly condition as it is in our power to
have it done. Any reasonable person, how
ever, knows tnat with prisoners DelnS re-
ccived at the farm every day from the jails
throughout the state more less vermin
are necessarily brought in and it is impos-
siblc for not few of them to get in the
bedding ut times. Again, prior to the visit
of the committee it had rained daily for three
or four weeks, and the attendants were I'M
able TO sun the beds and scour and scald
as frequently or as effectively as is usually
done.
An effort is made to make it appear that
the prison commission are deserving of criti-
cism because inmates having infectious dis
eases are kept in the same ward with other
prisoners. This is a condition for which
the commission is in no way responsible.
There in ward in which these prisoners
can be segregated. The legislature has never
made an appropriation for the erection of
ore, and is alone responsible for this con-
dition. In this connection it might interest
the public to know a fact that was not
stated-that these prisoners are kept away
from the other inmates as much possible
under existing conditions. Their clothing
is kept separate; they are served in the
mess hall away from the other prisoners !;
they have their own drinking cups, and the
same is true of their beds. A certain part
OF the building was set aside for their use
only, though it is necessary that they be
confined in the same ward.
complaint is also made that insane prison
ers are kept at the farm and are not
isolated. This is partially true, and it is
a shame upon the great state of Georgia.
At the same time it is condition for
WHICH the prison commission is no more
responsible than the members of the com
mittee who made the complaint. The law
specifically states that the prison COM
mission shall care for the criminal insane.
These prisoners cannot be tried for lunacy
and committed to the insane asylum. This
state Of affairs has been called by mem
bers of the prison commission to the at
tention of legislators with the urgent re-
quest that better provision be made for
the unfortunate criminal who has been
bereft of his reason. Up to this good hour
the appeal has fallen upon deaf ears. The
attention of governors has alsso been call
ed to the matter and the suggestion made
| that they pardon these insane prisoners,
have them tried for lunacy and confined
in the states institution for the treat
ment Of the insane. Protests agains such
ACTON were made and nothing was done.
The commission has no building fund,
and the legislature has made but one ap-
preparation for that purpose in the last
twelve years: That was in 1915 and was
for only SIS, 100000 for the construction
of the negro ward and enlarging the boys
reformatory and the white female ward
and an additional $15,000.0O for Install
ing a sewerage system.
Attention is also called to so-called
sweat-boXes in the female ward. These
were condemned long ago by the present
members OF the prison commission and
their use forbidden. The female prison
ers, as well as all others, are treated
as humanely as possible.
Members Of the prison commission are
in no wise conscious of any dereliction of
duty because one Abe Powers, a prison
er under sentence of two years, wass as
signed to the state farm by Secretary
Yancey, as honorable, courageous and clean
a man as ever served the people Of Geor-
gia in a public office, without their knowf-
edge. 1t is one Of his principal duties as
secretary to the commission to keep
| record Of the commitments and where
| abouts of prisoners. With nearly seven
thousand prisoners scattered throughout
| Georgia it can readily be understood that
it is wild imagination to suppose that
| members of the commission know these
service. The records in this office show
this, and these records open to the
| public at all times and are inspected by
some one every day.
The duties of the office of prison commits
sioner are being discharged as conscien-
| ti0usly and humanely as is within our power,
| with the purpose of lettering the lives Of
| the unfortunate men and women upon whom
| the law has laid the hand of correction and
| mitigate their unhappy lot much pos
| sible that they may eventually become use
full members of society. The condition and
| treatment of prisoners in Georgia has stead
| lily improved the past decade or more, and
never in the history of the state were they
| as well cared for as now. There is still
| room for improvement, and we again appeal
| to the legislature to assist us in making
prison Surroundings better by providing ade-
| quate funds with which to correct such con-
ditions that should not exist and make
| other improvements that greatly needed.
The statement that a tremendous lobby
| was conducted by the prison commission to
prevent an investigation of the state farm
is untrue. We invite and urge any one to
| make public the names of any members of
| the legislature who any member of the
| commission tried to unduly influence. 1t
| was not necessary, as at no time did the
| effort to discredt the commission cause
| alarm or anxiety. Naturally, as a matter
| of course, we consulted with a number of
| gentlemen who were known to be and sorle
| who professed to be our friends. great
| many members of the legislature who have
| high conception of duty and a sense of
fairness called unsolicited at our office to
cypress their confluence in the members of
the commission and their condemna ion of
| the tactics of the small wrecking crew.
| That the senate and the house both shared
| these sentiments almost unanimously was
| shown by their votes
| The acts of the prison commission are an
| open book. We welcome an investigation nv
anuhndr Of - L.. 81 .-- -.-S.-.o ~