Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-29
SWEEPING IMPROVEMENTS
AT PRISON FARM URGED


for ventilation so as to keep out rain
and wind in blowing3 storms, to pro-
vide a sufficient heating plant for
winter weather and an abundance of
bed clothes and. warm clothing and
the furnishing of that character Of
diet which science prescribes for the
treatment and the cure of this dread
full plague. If our state fails to do
these needed and indispensable
things, then it must stand con-
demned as cruel and inhuman to-
wards these unfortunate and
scourged wards. There was evidence
before us that in the past the bed
ding in this building was very I'M
sanitary, but recently this condition
has been largely improved.
Female Building
eve are pleased to be able to re-
port that this building is in a reason
ably good state of repair, except that
new roof lin part at least is re-
screened, and that it is kept as clean
and in as good sanitary condition as
could reasonably be expected.
The inmates seem as contented as
might be expected of those deprived
y
of the warden here. We saw the
bread and some of the meat being
prepared for supper and found them
apparently as clean, wholesome, we'll
cooked and abundant as might be
expected.
Male Building
'"The general sanitary condition
of this building has been improved
since the present superintendent
took charge. Its condition is still
unsatisfactory.
"(al Infirmaries-Whi and col
ored.
'"These should be completely segre-
gated from the lobby and all other
parts of the main building by thor
ouGhly screening all openings. This
will not only add to the comfort of
sick prisoners by excluding flies and
mosquitoes, but will reduce to a
minimum the possibly of these dis
ease carriers transmitting infection
and disease to other prisoners. There
should be kept on hand an abundance
of bed clothes for these infirmaries
to insure frequent changing of them.
Because of the practically con-
tinuous use of many Of these beds
vermin is likely to appear. and to
avoid this the beds should be fire.
quently disinfected, as we'll as
changed, and rigid sanitary meas
ures should be employed.
1.-THE arrangement of the toilets
and showers in these wards is very
poor and they are in a general I'M
sanitary condition. The cloth parti-
tons between the toilets and baths
and the infirmary should be re-
placed by more stable and sanitary
partitions of wood or metal.
Sleeping Quarters
'(b> Sleeping quarters-white and
colored.
"These quarters should be thor
oughly screened. Lights are burned
all night, and these attract bugs and
mosquitoes in iarge~quantities In
the day flies have free access to
these quarters and thence to other
! parts of the building. The toilets
are arranged along the rear walls
and are not separated by any parti-
tions from the main room. There
are no openings in this rear wall,
and prisoners are subject to the Of
| 1SItSlNS SISlll, CS wen ONlOA - IL
sCiting from the use of these toilets.
They should be so arranged that the
odors will escape out of the room in
stead Of into it, and the sight of the
use of them be INSTRUCTED.
Apparently sufficient bedding is
not on hand, or if so is not used, as
the sheets were dirty as were the
blankets. Considerable complaint IS
made about the presence of vermin,
and several members of this COM
mission found vernin present. 1t
is recognized to be difficult to keep
vermin out of such places all the
time. but more frequent changing Of
bed clothes and disinfecting of the
| bees will go a long way towards
freeing the institution of these Of
fensive pests.
Separation of Prisoners
eve recommend the adoption of
some system of separating the pris-
oners according to grades of offenses
or department, and especially for the
separation of the younger from the
older and confirmed criminals.
"In the white quarters two cages
have been installed in which are in
| CdIcSIdl0u INO N1IIS VI
them has been in his cage six years
and the other has been in his two
years. Assuming that the reasons
(alleged violent characters for the
incarceration of these two prisoners
are good and sufficient, the location
of these cages is undesirable, as they
are in immediate proximity to the
open toilets heretofore referred to.
''It has been suggested that these
prisoners are not mentally sound and
should be transferred to the state
sanatorium for treatment, but that
the law does not authorize it. The
law should be changed to meet such
conditions.
sc Dining rooms are well arranged
and as neat and clean as could rea-
sonably be expected in an institution
of this kind
cd Kitchens do not compare IA
vorably with dining rooms and are
not sufficiently screened; neither are
they kept clean. The places where
tn food of the prisoners is cooked
aand eaten should be the cleanest
places about the building.
"(e) Exercise for Prisoners
Except for those who are able to
do manual labor, there is no place
for the prisoners to take exercise
other than in their sleeping quar-
ters, and this should be remedied by
providing an inclosed shed or other
place suitable for this purpose.
go Food
"The quality of food served to
prisoners is poor. Substantially the
same character of food is served to