The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1922-10-18
CONDUCT OF STATE
PRISON FARM
To Be Investigated by Spe-
cial Committee Appointed
by Governor Trinkle

Richmond, Va, Oct. l6.-(Spe-
cial.) Following two years of .'re-
form" in our penal system, which has
ELECTED the criticism in some quar-
tiers that prisoners were being
! "pampered," the cx-convict head of
the so-called Prisoners Relief So
ciety. with headquarters at Wash
ington, has filed charges with the
Governor against the state prison
authorities. alleging mismanngement
of the State Prison Farm at Lassi-
ter, in Goochland county, where be-
tween 200 and 225 male inmates ere
employed.
The charges were mailed to Gov.
crnor Trinkle under date of August
10Th, and allegc impure food, that
sick prisoners are being under fec,
that too many guards are employed,
and that Intoxicating liquors are
used by the officials.
The matter was referred to the
Board OF Directors of the Peniten-
tiary by Governor Trinkle on Sep
TENDER 9th, with request for re-
port. AT the first meeting Of the
Board, September 18th, special
committee on investigation was
named 10 insert probe.
Professor William d. Saunders, of
the Virginia Polytechnic Institute,
was chosen to represent the Board
of Directors on the. committee, while
Mr.. Frank Bane, Commissioner OF
Public Welfare, was invited to serve
on the body and to act ms its chair
man, with power to appoint third
member Mr.. Banc is in no way as
sociated with the prison management
and is the legally constituted investi-
eating officer of the state. Profes-
scr Saunders is not in political life
and enjoys high reputation.
Major Leroy Hodges, president
Of the Prison Board, telcgraphed the
head Of the Prisoners Relief Society
in Washington to furnish his ALL
davits to MIR. Bane that his charges
might be at once taken under con
sidcration. Major Hodges was in
formed that nothing would be fur
nished the committee except through
the Governor, and then only on con
iition that new committee of cit
liens be appointed to hold public
hearings. This reply was promptly
reported to the Governor.
Governor Trinkle ON September
18th requested the Prisoners Relief
Society TO submit to him in writing
its charges. and to furnish him
with names OF witnesses who would
be called upon to substantiate those
charges. Should this evidence justi-
fy it, the Governor has said he will
name special committee of five
disinterested citizens to sit in an in
vestigation.
During the past two years hos
pital sand medical facilities at the
Penitcntiary and State Farm have
been completely rcorganizcd This
was done with the advice and assis-
lance of the State Board of Health
and of a special committee OF physi-
clans from both the Medical College
of Virginia and the Medical Society
of Virginia. a basic balanced diet
for prisoners has been worked out
by the Medical College of Virginia.
School are being established and re-
creation introduced. At the State
Farm is one OF the best motion pic
ture equipments in the state. The
Board has authorized the installation
this fall of powerful radio outfit
for the pleasure of the prisoners.
Improvement in the housing and
care of inmates has been so noticea-
bile at the State Farm as to have be-
come matter of general public
comment. Virginia's prison manage
ment has been wide open to public
inspection for the last several years.
Production OF proof substantiating
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