The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-30
One-Armed Man Walks OFF
From State Farm, Police
Are Informed.
SP0ILS SETUP FlAILEO
Colorado, Ohio Show Sue
cess in Civil Service Plan
for Prisons.

tOA AoOAfNs
Substitution of a civil serv-
ice system in appointment of
officials for OhiO's and Colo
RADIOS penal systems in place
of antiquated, political meth
DDS of naming such personnel
has resulted in a distinct i'm
prOvement of the manage
ment of penal institutions in
those states.
This was learned today by i'm
partial observers for The Indianap-
oils Times in its survey Of prisons
as the public received word here
that still another criminal had
added himself to the ever-growing
army of men walking away from
Indiana's penal and refOrmatory
institutions.
This latest prisoner to escape is
James Burke. alias James Reidy, 46.
South Bend. a One-armed man, who
Yesterday walked away from the
Indiana state farm, near Putnam
ville.
Ohio and Colorado have in sue
cesSful operation a method of prison
administration similar to that pro-
posed by The Times for adoption in
Indiana to correct conditions that
have resulted in sensational breaks
from the states penal institutions.
Prison experts, shocked by the re-
suits of the political operation oil
prisons and jails in Pennsylvania,
reported a determined effort will be
made at the next session OF the
state legislature to create a unified.
nonpolitical agency to supervise
the penal institutions throughout
the state.
system Is Condemned
From New Mexico came condem-
nation of that states pOlitically-op-
Grated penal system. In New Mexi-
co. as in Indiana, there is no CEN
trail responsibility for the mainten-
ance and operation of the prison
system. prison authorities reported.
There is no civil service require
ment for executives and guards IN
New Mexico and observers reported
this has resulted in a personnel
which is noted for brutality rather
than efficiency.
The District of Columbia at pres
ent is planning to extend civil
service requirements to include de-
partment heads The Districts pri-
son guards now named are after
competitive civil service eXamina-
ton.
Prison authorities declare the
system has produced satisfactory re-
suits and anticipate further i'm
provement through the addition of
executives to the list Of appointeeS
under the protection Of civil
service.
NO OentEdi requirements
Wardens Of California prisons are
appointed by the State Division of
Prisons and Paroles. Superintend-
ents of institutions are appointed
BY the director of istitutions.
Prison circles declared fitness enters
into the appointments. but there
are no general requirements.
Tennessee has a system of penal
institution control corresponding in
essential respects 10 that now in
effect in Indiana. Civil service does
not play any part in the appoint
ment of officials and employees Of
state or county institutions.
There are no particular require
mentS for these jobholders. other
than satisfactory political aSSocia-
lions. IL was declared.
In Pennsylvania officials Of the
penal institution are appointed by a
board Of managers subject TO APP
prevail Of the Governor. The Gov
ernor names this board.
Civil Service Is Lacking
Employees of Pennsylvania prisons
and jailS are named by the officials
Of the institution TO which they are
assigned. In Lancaster county, The
Times survey diScloSeS that the
warden Of the county Jail is elected
by popular vote. In another county
the board Of managers names the
head Of the workhouSe.
Civil service requirements are en-
tirely lacking in Pennsylvania. and
there is no central department for
supervision. II is this system 10
which the Pennsylvania Committee
on Penal Affairs has raised objection
because OF its inherent ineficiency.
prison experts say.
There is no civil service qualifica-
ton for penal institution employees
in Oklahoma. according TO prison
authorities in that state
The Governor, through the pOliti-
cal state board Of affairs. controls
all STAFF appointments. He appoints
the board Of affairs which IN turn
appoints the institution STATS.
Management Is Political
Trained observers in Kentucky
characterized the management of
prisons in that state as unsatisfac-
tory and pointed TO the system Of
appointment and management as
the reason.
The management and personnel
Is political from top 10 bottom.
County lailers are elected and APP
point whatever help they need Ia