Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-07-24

q young colored man, Of good family
and training, who for obvious reas-
ons is withholding his real identity
and who due to his ability. served
(during a course OF ten years. In
his positions Gas an inmate) one OF
which has never been filled by any
other inmate of any race.
During this series he will dwell
intimately on certain phases Of prts-
on life that are rarely, If ever, dis
closed to the public.)
CONTINUED from last week.
To some extent the authorities
must investiate each tip made by
these self-appointed inmate "stools"
as they are called because in some
instances such tip may Illustrate a
plan in which loss of life would
surely accrue if carried out. How
ever for the one "tip" that proves
of genuine service to all concerned
there are score which are only
prompted by the purely personal
selfish desire of the informer to
ingratiate himself in to the good
will, as he thinks, of the higher
ups" Little does he realize that
one cannot place any real de-
pendence on one who is forever at
tempting to spy on and double-cross
his own fellow-brother. Such man
never really secures the real con-
fidence of the higher-ups as they
know his game, play it for what
good they can reap and forget him.
Sound Advice.
The prisoner, without regard to
his former degree of badness, who
does his time, minds his own bust
ness, mingles with his special friends
and otherwise keeps himself out of
trouble is after all the type that is
best admired by the officials. They
know they are seeking nothing and
no pretense of compromise is neces-
sary.
The writer compliments himself
that today after ten years he is able
to gain and retain the respect and
the officials.
Never Betrayed Confidence.
l believe it is to my credit that
never betrayed a confidence re-
posed in me and neither did l ever
directly or indirectly aid or abet any
plan or conspiracy that might be
termed detrimental to the institu-
ton. On the contrary / believe that
/ have given the proper kind of ad-
vice on numerous occasions that
have frustrated plots that would
have otherwise have caused trouble
both for the participants and the in
stitution. In doing so and keeping
such knowledge confidential / am
confident that proved myelf bet
ter inmate and my conscience ever
tells me that ! am better man.
Certainly, in spite of my ten years,
if / had it to do over again / would
pursue the same course.
High Class econ" Man.
The writer who had been previ-
ously known, if l may say it my
self, as high-class icon" man and
as such had traversed the breadth
and width of America, from the At
lantic to the Pacific and from Alaska
to Cuba, had placed himself within
the vale of the law on many oc-
casions and it was no surprise at
least to the writer when after
had been at the prison about eight
months, several "detainers" from
other towns were received at the
prison and, of course, working right
in the warden's office they were no
secret to me. Ordinarily when such
detainer is received against a
prisoner that prisoner is removed
from any position of trust from
which he could possibly escape and
g special surveillance is placed over
him. At this time / had ingratiated
myself into the good will of the
officials, however, and while they
might have been justified in doing
so they felt no uneasiness over me
and the only remarks they made
were to ask me If ] could, square"
.....oss'sp~ @-
aA~- The Use of Money.
This meant the use of money and
in no small amount which / de-
cidedly did not have, Although I
had had plenty of money, /, in COM
mon with thousands of others, had
let the 'easy" money slip through
my fingers in keeping with the old
saying, "easy come, easy CO." In
the course of the following few
weeks, however, whenever any of
tho officials had business in any of
the cities involved they interceded
with the officials there in my be-
half with the result that before my
first year was up all the detainers
had been squared and withdrawn
and with a olean slate efforts were
bent towards securing for me a
parole at the expiration of my year.
A Promise Made.
At that time the matter was dis
cussed informally with certain mem
bers of the Pardon Board and a
promise was made by them to the
officials that IL ennnn ono run,,Id