The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-01


appointment and removal of
diana social workers were told
IndOrsing The IndianapOli
of the civil service merit sy
lndiana's penal institutions,
DR.. Walter \. Thayer Jr., in
ternationally famed penOlOgist
and former head of the Amer
lean Prison Association, in an
address today at the annual
convention of social workers,
declared fatty for Punishment
of the "spoils" system of man.
agement.
7 have been connected with the
penal system of New York state
during most of my adult life" de-
clared DR.. Thayer. now New York
state correction commissioner.
My father was warden of Clin-
ton prison when I was but 10, and
I am entirely familiar with the con-
ditions which existed when the
wardens lost their positions with
changing state administrations. and
I am equally familiar with condl-
lions under the present system.
Pleads for Civil Service
Il do not hesitate to say that if
any prison system is to function
economically and efficiently, politics
must be removed and the best avail
able type OF employees obtained
through civil service examination,
further trained in their duties by in
struction in officers training schools
and protected in their positions by
civil service laws and rules which
prevent their dismissal except on
proven charges of neglect OF duty"
DR.. Thayer declared.
Every one of the 1858 employees
in his department, DR.. Thayer told
the social workers. except the COM
missioner and his deputy from the
lowest paid clerk TO the warden OF
the largest prison. is appointed from
civil service lists after competitive
examination.
Contrasting the conditions in In
diana with those prevailing in New
York. DR.. Thayer said the New
York civil service law prevents re-
mOval OF efficient employees when
control of the state government
passes from one political party TO
another.
Employees Give Best
So successful has been this Sys-
ten. DR.. Thayer insisted. that the
aggregate years OF service of the
men now in executive guidance of
the far-flung prison system Of his
state is in excess OF 300 years.
The employees look upon their
work as a life vocation" DR.. Thayer
pointed out. They carry on. Civ
ing OF their best. irrespective of
what party IS in power at Albany.
secure in their tenure just as long
as they perform their duties in the
manner properly expected Of them"
Addressing 800 delegates TO the
Paul v. McNutt declared F. Lowell
Bixby. assistant director of the
United States bureau Of prisons. in
his report as a member Of the board
Of experts surveying penal condi-
tons in Indiana. has recommended
that county jasls and infrmarieS
should not be taken from manage
ment of the counties.
Z am not az al certain" the Gov
ernor declared. that this is posi-
bic Just now or that II IS desirable"
Improvement Is Traced
The Governor told the social
workers the recommendation Is
worthy Of the consideration Of the
convention and asked advice on the
proposal
Today. addressing the convention.
DR.. Thayer traced the improvement
in the management Of county jails
and penitentiarieS as a result OF
state supervision in New York.
In addition TO the state inStitu-
tons subject 10 its jurisdiction" DR..
Thayer said" the state commission
of correction visits and inSpectS four
county penitentiarieS. all the cor
regional institutions in the depart
ment Of correction Of the city Of
New York. sixty-Seven county jailS.
the fifty-odd police station house
jails IN New York City in which priS-
oners are held while awaiting ar
raignment. the detention pens in
approximately forty courts in New
York City and more than three hun
dred local jails and lOckupS in cities
and villages throughout the state"
Inspections are made without
prior notice 10 the officials in charge.
the commissioner declared and re-
ports Of findings are sent 10 re-
Sponsible authorities and the news
papers
The commission Of correction
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