Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-15


wide, heavy band of leather attach
ed to a wooden handle. The warden
declared that the record of whip
pings administered shows accurately
the number of lashes given each
lashes ever were given. He denied
that "high life" ever was admins
tered as a punishment, but only
for medical purposes.
Warden Smith admitted that the
food supplies at the prison are some
what limited as to variety, although
fresh pork is served at intervals in
the winter and fresh beef occasion
ally through the summer.
I'VE try to get the prisoners in
the field at sun up" said the
warden. 1--WE give them two hours
rest during the day and no one
works on holidays or Sundays ex-
cept at certain fixed duties, like
those around the dairy. A few wee
wills sometimes get into the peas,
but the rations are wholesome, as a
rule"
Questioned as to censorship of
mail, Warden Smith said that prac-
tically all prisoners letters are mail
ed and that no prisoner has been
punished for writing complaining
letters.
He denied strenuously that he
ever administered more than ten
lashes at one time, declaring that
he never had broken the skin on
any prisoner with the lash. The
warden admitted that there has been
occasions when there has been a
shortage of shoes and socks, due to
lack of money to purchase supplies.
1--WE haven't got anything first
class here" declared Warden Smith.
, 81 believe the state of Georgia would
! do well 20 give this establishment
and farm away and put up a new
prison on land that is worth some
thing"
Land in Poor Condition
you've got more land than you
need, haven't you?" asked Judge
Searcy.
YES" was the reply. "There are
| a few hundred acres worth more
| than all the balance of the $500"
1t was developed that most of the
land was poor, sterile and hard tC
cultivate. At the request of Judge
Hammond the warden produced a
| prisoners letter he had suppressed
| and the judge remarked that the
missiVe contained nothing objection
able.
Warden Smith stated that occa
| sionally the water supply runs short
and that the water system is made
quate, consisting of three wells and
a pumping station at the creek.
| GrNhn -h hoc
| for two or three years." said the
warden. He declared that the tn
| bercular hospital was not under the
I jurisdiction of the warden. The same
| condition applies with reference tt
the women's ward. ST go through
the bull pens every few days, anC
we keep them as clean as we can,
said Warden Smith. 1--WE steriIize
the beds about once a week usually
| We have been short on bedding late
| ly, but we are better fixed now
He denied that any special cleaning
up had been done to prepare fol
| the visit of the investigating com
mission.
The warden stated that there is
| some confusion as to the jurisdic
| ton Of the officers of warden anC
superintendent. He declared that il
funds were provided there ought tt
| be erected additional buildings ant
Enclosures out of doors, where pris
Oners could be confined without be
ing kept in the dormitories.
Sample of Bread Shown
| Referring again to the produc
| tiveness of the farm land, the war
| den estimated the yield of corn pei
acre at 5 or bushels, saying that
| the operation of the farm, even with
convict labor, is greater than would
be with free labor. Judge Hammond
| produced a sample of wheat bread
| that was soggy, hard and about the
! consistency of dough. A prisoner
| had given it to him in the "bull
pen"
The warden said the cooks haG
| bad luck in making that particular
batch of bread. 1t was developed
that on May II the prisoners be
gan to receive white bread every
| day, whereas it was served twice g
week previous to that. Discussing
! the use of wheat bread, Warden
| Smith said last year he planted II
| bushels of wheat, harvested 81
bushels and spent $500 to raise the
crop.
Adjourning for the day shortly be
fore seven o'clock, the investigat
ing body indicated it's intention tt
complete the probe Wednesday i.
possible. Judge Searcy has indicat
ed informally that the commission
at the conclusion of the investiga
ton, will secure a transcript o.
the evidence from Henry Barnes
of Macon, the official stenographer
and after each member has studied
it to his satisfaction. the full com
mission will hold another meeting
probably in Atlanta, to formulate it,
recommendations. Members of the
commission expressed the opinion
that the findings should be ready
by July first, within a few days
after the general assembly con
Venes.