The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-15
REFORMATORY
CRUELTY STORY
BRANDED FALSE
PendIeton Institution Head
Also Issues Denial of
Graft Charges.
By Times Special

By Times Special
PENDLEAON, Ind, April Is
Emphatic denial Of charges that
prisoners at the Indiana state re-
formatory are subjected to brutal
treatment was made today by Ralp
Howard, superintendent of the in
Stiution.
The charges as made to The Indi-
annapolis Times were laid before
Howard with request that he tell
his story of conditions here.
Majority of the allegations were
denied in full by Howard. Twelve
had been made against the insti-
tuition and its administration.
The charges against the reforma-
tory ranged from vermin in the food
served prisoners to alleged improper
actions of guards towards wives,
sisters and SWeetheartS of prisoners.
Brutality Is Denied
Howard admitted that guards at
the reformatory carry blackjackS
but declared they are under orders
not to use the Instruments except
in emergency.
Howard denied any "rakeoff' by
guards on money spent or received
by prisoners. He admitted the in
stitution might house "indiscreet"
guards, bu, following two or three
allegations of graft against any
guard, he would be dismissed
. ~ oil
prisoners, for minor rule attractions.
were forced to stand up from early
morning until late in the afternoon,
Howard said this punishment, at the
most, was only two hours in the
morning and two in the afternoon.
1.-The prisoner stands on a pad for
two hours at a time-morning and
afternoon" he said. This method
of punishment is used instead of a
report to the reformatory court.
Majority of the prisoners who seek
to keep their records clear, rather
would accept this than have a mark
against them that would reflect on
their chances for release"
CNsVA foeAOH SOOIy SCOutHu
Allegations that prisoners are on
such limited rationS in solitary con-
f1nement that they are forced to
crawl from the cells, were denied by
Howard.
The man in solitary conf1ne-
ment is on restricted rations," he
said. mo man ever has crawled
from a solitary cell Some, who have
refused to promise to be good, have
been in there several months"
Howard also asserted there was
no truth to the charge that prison.
ers who attempted to escape were
beaten, and that one had his teeth
kicked out.
Some escape from the gardens"
he said, land they are success
full. Those men are dealt with
elsewhere when they are caught. We
try to prevent escapes hece, rather
than devote our time to punish
ment."
Allegations that a reformatory
physician was administering medical
treatments to inmates and receiv-
ing additional pay for the service,
also was denied. Howard said
reformatory physician only is paid
an annual fee.
Smuggling Brings Discharge
A guard who smuggles cigarets or
similar article to a prisoner will be
dicharged, Howard said. The same
ruling according to the superinten-
dent, would be invoked if guards
brought money from outside sources
to prisoners. The charge in this
line was that a guard who brought
in $40 acted as broker" for the
prisoner for SIS.
Immoral practices, or offenses to
women relatives of prisoners by
guards are impossible during the
hours when the women visit the in
stitution, Howard said.
He declared that the reception
and visiting room arrangements are
such that guards and institution
employees have no opportunity for
improper action.
Howard said the institution was
remarkably free" from vermin.
The reformatory houses prisoners
aged from Is to 30. Thursday after
noon it housed 2,376 prisoners. 1t
was built to accommodate about half
that number.