Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-30
Dante's Inferno Eclipsed by Ohio
Holocaust

DarseS inferno, masterpiece OF 81 the ages OF
horrors, has been put In eclipse by the Ohio prison
holocaust. It is so gruesome that 10 congeals the
blood in the veins Of the most virle body and car
ries its own lesson as well as its own warning. Hun
ureds OF ~convictS. in the flame of a living hell, could
not escape from their cells. They died in the suf-
locating flames and added another chapter 70 the
hideous horrors Of history. An outstanding feature
was the inability of the guards who had not become
panic stricken to locate the keys to the prison cells
in this Ohio house Of death. How did II happen?
Why did it happen? What was the underlying cause2
This is the answer:
In the 1929 handbook Of the National Society OF
Penal Information a chapter was devoted TO this
famous Ohio penitentiary:
THE ancient plant at the state penitentary in
Columbus. one Of the largest prisons in the country,
SUFFERS FROM "A CONDITION OF ~OvERCROWD-
ING WORSE THAN THAT IN N PRIs-
IN.
THE NEED OF ANOTHER INSTITUTION IN
H OHIO SYSTEM has been apparent for
many years, but the state is only now taking steps TO
alleviate the conditions at Columbus.
mot ONLY A COLUMBUS o CARE o
AN INCREASED POPULATION, BUT IT IS AL
READY TOO LARGE A PRISON TO BE OPERATED
ON N OTHER LINE THAN THOSE OF BLANK
EFT TREATMENT. Even with the completion OF the
present building program. it viii be able to care for
its present population only under conditions that fall
below accepted modern standards for housing pris-
oners."
Mans inhumanity 10 man may not be applicable
20 the case, but mans indifference 70 man has a vast
deal TO do with the case. Texas has prison problems.
Texas has an ancient system Of housing and caring
for convicts. Texas has o~vercrowded prisons. Texas
prison conditions have been told in the columns Of
this newspaper time and again.
II Is damnable. TO say the least, 20 enact laws FOR
the punishment Of criminals. enforce the laws. and
then treat the convicts just as wild beasts are treated
in the overcrowding OF prison bastiles, in the quality
- - - ---.S-4- l. A--4-@ A. s---4~
oned ones in enforced idleness, in treating incor-
rigibles and first offenders alike. and in failing 10 give
heed to the recommendation Of humane penologists.
including men and women who have given years Of
study to crime and criminals as well IS the recon-
mendations OF those who believe that these wards Of
society who have expiated their misdeeds and atoned
for their sins against the laws OF God and man should
be given an opportunity to begin life anew and wipe
out evil records OF other years.
Governor Moody made q gallant fight for prison
reform. Many law makers made a gallant fight for
the elimination Of ancient systems and programs I'M
der the skies Of Texas. They fought and were de-
feated. but the battle did not end when those who
voted to keep the rat holes open were successful in
preventing the enactment Of legislation which would
have made a clean sweep Of all the relics and meth
DDS OF the OK cart civilization Of Texas IN dealing with
those who found themselves within the walls or on
prison farms for flouting the laws OF the common
wealth.
Prison reform. In Texas. Is on the way. Sane men
and women. humane men and women. are in the
majority in Texas when they declare themselves at
the ballot box. and they are going 70 declare them
selves in the near future.