The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-29
PRISON SETUP
IN NEW YORK IS
MODEL SYSTEM
Shattering of Political Web
Improves Whole Plan,
Survey Shows.
CONTINUED from Page One)

reaching step in the efforts at re-
Mobilization Of offenders. and for
the permanent classification OF
habitual criminals.
How the system has operated in
New York state is illustrated by the
case OF Commissioner Thayer, who
has spent nearly all Of his adult
life IN the department Of correction
and who has become recognized as
one Of the outstanding penologists
OF the present day.
Another example is the case OF
Warden Lewis z. LaweS OF Sing
Sing. who rose from a prison guard
in Auburn prison 70 be the mead
OF the worlds most famous bastlle.
Has Three Assistants
Commissioner Thayer's immediate
assisting personnel includes one
deputy commissioner and two as
sistant commissioners. One Of these
commissioners has been with the
department many years and Is SAID
TO be capable Of recalling without
reference to files the previous crimi-
nal histories Of paroled men re-
turned to prison under other names.
The administrative division Of the
department consists Of the deputy
commissioner, second assistant COM
missioner. an administrative finance
officer. chief Communication clerk and
a head stenOgrapher. This division
has fun control over the custody Of
prisoners and discipline. as well as
maintenance OF all institutions.
At the prisons the wardens are in
supreme command. subject only TO
the orders Of the commissioner. This
reform was the result of the insist
enCe Of Warden Lawes when he was
appointed nearly twenty years ago
as head Of Sing Sing that there
must be no political interference
with his work.
The next ranking officer in New
Yorks prisons is the principal keep
or, selected on a civil service basis
to hold Office during good behavior.
A deputy principal keeper also Is
appointed on a civil service basis.
Examinations Are Searching
Guards in the prisons are APP
pointed only after being subject to
a searching written and oral exami-
nation as to their mental and
physical qualifications They are
appointed for an indefinite period.
removable only for misconduct or
neglect. Retirement pensions are
provided.
A division has been established in
the New York correction depart
ment. charged with the responsible
ity OF inspecting and reporting on
the operation and maintenance of
county and local jails.
Inspectors make frequent visits to
these jsils and submit written re-
ports to the prison commission and
10 the local authorities. Insanitary
and unsafe jails frequently are con-
demned. Incompetent management
is pointed out and corrective
methods suggested.
All plans for the construction of
new jails must be approved by the
department before bonds may be
issued to defray the expense of con-
structiOn.
Experts in criminal identification
are appointed 10 the division OF
Identification following civil service
examination. Definite educational
qualifications and training and
standards OF previous experience
are established by law.
Requirements Are Rigid
In New York City. Commissioner
Austin Mccormick and the munich
pal civil service commission have
promulgated elaborate requirements
for positions of wardens. guards and
matrons of the city prisons and re-
fOrmatOrieS. Under the state laws
the New York City prison system
is not under the control of the state
department of correction. All other
cities and counties are subject to
state supervision.
The New York City civil service
requirements for prison wardenS ex-
tend so far as TO remove the usual
requirement that applicants shall
be residents of the state Of New
York. thus striking a telling blow at
political domination Of appoint
mentS.
Experience in prison adminiStra-
ton is given heavy rating IN the
final scoring of candidates. Five
years Of progressively important ad-
ministrative experience Is essen
tiaI before applications will be con-
Sidered.
AT least two years Of the five
years OF administrative experience
must have been served IN penal or
correctional work or in closely re-
lated field. To guard against multi
fying this provision, 1t further Is
required that any institutional eX-
perience offered as qualification Of
the applicant shall have been in an
institution having at least 800 or
more inmates
Morale Is Improved
Additional examination credit is
given for completion Of accredited
courses IN criminology. penolOgy or
social work administration.
Preference Is e 10 applicants
whose experience : been in the
service OF the department Of cor
rectiOn OF New York CITY. This is
calculated TO improve the morale
Of guards who by application 20
duty and intelligent and honest
service may equip themselves for
promotion.
Guards assigned to supervision
OF prison trades and industrial
operations must show previous eX-
perience. No training in GRIMM
ology is required Of candidates for
guard positions.
. SheriffS have control over the New
York county jailS. They are elected
at the polls. Their stats. including
Jailers. guards and keepers. are re-
quired. however. 10 have passed
civil service examinations.
Only the candidates rareivir1c the