Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-08-06
CENsURE WARDEN
METHOD Of
HANDL ING LATE
PRISON NJ j 7 my
N, M, Board of Penitentiary
Commissioners, After
Probe, Submits Report to
Governor Mechennr
PRESENT SYSTEM OF
CONTROL CRITICISED
Both Parties in the Past
Have Used the Superln-
tendent's Job to Pay for
Party Service, Charge,
BY GUTHRIE SMITH.

, BY GUTHRIE SMITH.
Santa Fe, Aug. 5.-Placido Jara-
milo, superintendent Of the peni-
tentiary. is "censured and con-
demned for his method in han
ding the situation" in the mutiny
which occurred at the prison on
July 10, when one prisoner was
killed and five wounded, in the re-
port covering the investigation by
the board of penitentiary commits
sioners. The report was submitted
to Governor NJ. C. Mechem today,
1t is signed by the five members;
L. A. Hughes, of Santa Fe, presi-
dent: X. l.. Ormsbee, of Santa Fe.
secretary; Warren Graham and
Thomas Hughes, of Albuquerque;
and j. f. Torres, of Socorro.
Ormsbee and Graham are the
democratic members.
Attached to the report, and
made a part thereof. is statement
by Superintendent Jaramillo. There
Is an apparent discrepancy be-
tween the two accounts. Superin-y
tendent Jaramillo describes find
| ing the prisoners, more than 200
in number, gathered in a large
group back of the dining hall ~"
The report of the board shows
that when the noon count whistle
was blown on the day of the mu-
| tiny, 116 prisoners remained in the
yard and were so counted. OF this
number. about 45 were yard men
them. or whose orders are, to
remain in the yard for the noon
count and who are daily counted
| there"
Evils of System.
Governor Mechem has not yet
had time to study the report, and
there has been no indication as to
what action, II any, is contemplate
ed. The evil OF the New Mexico
system" Of appointing unframed
prison men to direct the work of
this ~-peritcnttary is Indirectly
pointed out in one instance, and
directly emphasized, In another
place in the report. That p. j.
Dugan, assistant superintendent. is
looked to for the enforcing of dis
cipline is clearly shown: ut ap-
peared to the board. however, that
inasmuch as the leaders in the mu-
tiny had been troublesome on 9TH
er occasions, that they had used
the question of the food as an ex-
cuse to show Off during the abb
sence Of Assistant Superintendent
z. j. Dugan. who was at the time
on his annual vacation" Almost
the invariable expression of per-
sons in and around Santa Fe, when
news of the tragedy was received.
was. III Patty Dugan had been
there the killing would never have
happened" The report of the
board would seem to bear out the
opinion of the public.
Both Parties at Fault.
This New Mexico system is nor
peculiar to the republican organi-
cation and executives. 1t has been
just as religiously followed by the
democrats from time out of men,
ory. Both parties have regarded
the office Of superintendent of this
Ipenitentiary as sort of reward for
valuable service rendered to the
party. This custom Is referred to,
and condemned. by the board.
Patty Dugan has been assistant
superintendent for some five and
one-half years, during which time
he has developed into one of the
most capable and efficient prison
men that New Mexico has ever
had. Prior to coming to the office
he had served for years as peace
officer in Gallup and Mckinley
anil
much in evidence from time to
time. When Governor Mechem
took office Dugan was acting SUI
perintendent, Fidel Ortiz. superin-.
tendent, having died in office. A
large number of responsible citi-
zens recommended Dugan to Gov
ernor Mechem for appointment as
superintendent, but, under rule OF
the system" 1t was decreed other
wise. Jaramillo, instead was ap-
pointed. Jaramillo had served az
sheriff of Valencia county, and is
reported to have made good Of
ficer. But he had had compara-
lively little experience as a prison
man. Handling a few short term
prisoners does not qualify for
handling 400 or 500 prisoners.
many OF whom are ''lifers,' and
others awaiting the execution of
the death sentence.
Cause of Dissatisfaction.
The board reports that the cause
of dissatisfaction was the lack or
variety in the food. 1t Is recited
that the administration is trying to
maintain the institution within the
appropriation which is declared to
be insufficient and docs not per-
nit the serving of many varieties
or more expensive food. and 1t
would seem that the legislature re-
CARDS the low cost per man per
day Of more importance than the
| making available of funds to prop
erly maintain the institution
The remainder of the report fol-
lows:
'The investigation disclosed that
when the noon count whistle was
blown on the day OF the mutiny,
| 116 prisoners remained in the
yard and were so counted. OF this
number about forty-five We're
yard men, or prisoners whose
duties require them, or whose or
ders are, to remain in the yard for
the noon count and who are daily
counted there. There was no evil
dence that these men were mutt
nous and by remaining In the yard
after the whistle had blown they
were not violating any rules nor
disregarding any orders. These
men were not ordered TO the cell
L, Sh