New Britain herald., 1929-12-12
THt, PRISON NUJINN

THE PRISON MUJlNI
 The chances against d successful prison getaway through the medium of a mutiny are about 100 to l. Yet with alarming regularity such at tempts have been made within le- cent months. They hyo resulted ill no advantages for the muunous prisoners; none have attained fiber ty: some of the leaders and their dupcs have woocd and won that eternal forgetfulncss which is risk that comes with resort to violence. Yet despite the futility O. mutiny Auburn prison in New York Was the scene of second such at t.mpt within six months, one that spread death and terror through out the prison" and ultimately re suited in return to normalcy through the medium Of those et- f,Gtiye endorsements which always gre at the disposal oi d state de termined that outlawry and riot shall not gain a victory.
 NirtuIly all the prisons through out the land are ovcrCroH ded. Con Gitlons of life in them. while Of course not supposed to be ideal even under the best of conditions, are made doubly hard through the failure of states to keep step with inc demands of a rapidly increasing prison population. In some states. despite the increased population and increased convictions because oI crime, there arc no better or mors aleouate prison accommodations than there were 50 years ago. Addet to ovcrcrowding and the attendant Eardships have come longer sen- fences as society became detcrmln- sfto throw tte fear Of the Lord into the habitual criminal. The result Is that in almost every prison thc'e is a nucleus Of underworld char ycters who arc willing 10 risk violent death in an effort 10 cScap" the hell on earth that 'hcy hay" brought upon themselves through their previous misdccds.
 Unfortunately. while th,rc is gen cral recognition of the orercroWdcd condition of many state prisons and cfforts have been made 10 alleviate such conditions. this cannot tc ac- compished overnight Meanwhile inc foment continues. and in some mysterious manner arms from the outside are smugglod into the hands of the despcradoes within their walls. If such smuggling Of arms were an impossibility there would be little likelihood that prison mu- tlnies would develop. or at least they would attain little momentum But let 2 number ot desperate characters in striped suits obtain and sccrete guns and they need only await a favorable moment in which 10 match their desperation against the authority Of the stat.
 The plots usually matched also indicate that prisoners, being close ly packed. have an abundant oppor- runity to arrange method of at tack beforehand Like general staff considering inc aUgcucios O warfare they ara able to discuas plans os c1mpatsn; al thus VI read Of seized officials and the 4e- nand for the release Of hostages schemes tha, werc well thought out at least, in canon City as well a' in Auburn.
 It is idle 70 Say that continueI unsUccess will Inally discourage th' imprisoned 4csporadors. It is diff rcult if not impossible 10 cou'inc depraved indn iduals who may haV' come 10 inc conclusion they havc little to lose even sdou'd death b' the final arbjrer O. their woes. J is unlikely either and certain! not desirable ID the public interest that society should permit itself tc be less rigorous in is cumpaiSl against criminals and their prope punishment merely because tn underworld does not like it deserts. Crime has become such { problem throughout the nation tha the President named q rrim" com mission 10 investigate i'. Socirr, cor taiuly is not 10 b.. compromised lIi' q position ot pampcrjuG he evil rt" mcnts serving punishment mrrr. because here and there roulict~ tur into revolt. lu q war such as thl the rights of law and order mus and will prevail Rather than be romin- norr puuy-min l'd towar t'n crsiuirrI clement nG l result c