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

Dante's Inferno, masterpiece Of al the ages Of
horrors, has been put IN eclipse by the Ohio prison
holocaust. 1t is so gruesome that 1t conge@ts the
blood in the veins Of the most virle body axe car
ries It's own lesson as well as its own warning. Hun
dreds of convicts. In the flame of a living he'll, could
not escape from their cells. They died In the suf-
locating flames and added another chapter to 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 it happen?
why did 1t happen? What was the underlying cause?
This is the answer:
In the 1929 handbook OF the National Society Of
Penal Information q chapter was devoted TO this
famous Ohio penitentiary:
1.-The ancient plant at the state penitentiary In
Columbus. one OF the largest prisons in the country,
SUFFERS FROM CONDITION OF OvERCROWD-
ING . THAN THAT IN ANY PRIS-
IN.
THE MEET OF ANOTHER INSTITUTION IN
z OHIO PENAL SYSTEM has been apparent for
many years, but the state Is only now taking steps 70
alleviate the conditions at Columbus.
NOT ONLY CAN COLUMBUS NOT CARE FOR
Al INCREASED POPULATION. BUT TT is AL
READY TOO LARGE A PRISON TO BE OPERATED
ON ANY OTHER LINE THAN THOSE OF BLANK
EFT TREATMENT. Even with the completion of the
present building program, II will be able to care for
its present population only under conditions that fall
below accepted modern standards for housing pris-
oners."
Mans inhumanity to 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 ccnvicts. Texas has overcrowded prisons. Texas
prison conditions have been told In the columns Of
this newspaper time and again.
It 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
OF food provided for ~convicts. IN keeping the impris-
oned ones in enforced idleness, IN treating incor-
rigibles and first offenders alike. and IN failing 70 give
heed 70 the recommendations Of humane penologists.
including men and women who have given years Of
study to crime and criminals as well as 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
cut evil records OF other years.
Governor Moody made a gallant fight for prison
reform. Many law makers made a gallant fight for
che elimination q ancient systems and programs IN
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 to declare them
selves IN the near future.