Evening star., 1946-03-30

Prisoners Could Arm
With Metal He Found
In Jail Attic, Gill Says
Enough metal to arm at least g.
prisoners for a mass break from the
District Jail was found in a cell
house attic by Howard B. Gill, sus-
pended penal superintendent, he de-
clared today.
Mr.. Gill told board of inquiry
hearing charges against him that he
personally saw the metal near lamps
which TRUSTEES at the Jail had to re-
pair. The ceiling was of such COM
position that the trusty could put
his foot through it and drop the
metal down to the cellhouSe or the
recreation room, he said.
Three saw blades, pieces of saw
blades, Is heavy metal implements
and 4 dollar bills were offered as
exhibit A to show why Mr.. Gill be-
lieves that reprimands he gave the
custodial force at the Jail were not
"enjustified."
In his fight for reinstatement Mr.
Gill testified he found "lethal weap-
onS" accessible to prisoners when he
made his own "shakedown" of the
Jail following the escape of five
prisoners on November "a.
Key Was Not Reported.
Repeated discovery of very seri-
GUS contraband and the cluttered
conditions of cellblocks and cor
ridors" eliminated in the repri-
manding of two officers for serious
breach of duty on December 4 and
in lectures given the staff on De-
cember S. Mr.. Gill said.
The captain and lieutenant of the
guard were responsible for allow
ing key to be passed into a death
house prisoner, but failed to report
finding the key because "Mey didn't
think it was important" he con-
tinued.
Their unawareness of the serious
ness of such conditions brought me
to the conclusion that these officers
especially were not on the job," Mr.
Gill declared
Mr.. Gill denied that he cursed
members of the staff on December
5, but observed Il might have said
damn it. was annoyed"
Listed Details on Break.
The witness told how he worked
for from Is to "a hours day at the
Jail collecting information requested
by the Board of Public Welfare
while he was allegedly "neglecting"
a written report the welfare board
wanted.
Reading from the notes he took
at meeting of the Welfare Boards
Institutions Committee on Novem-
ber %, Mr. Gill listed detailed in
formation sought by the members
on the causes of the jailbreak. He
said he was still gathering the ma
terial when he was suspended on
December 6.
Commenting on testimony of well
fare board members that con-
struction report on November 80
was mot what we wanted" Mr.. Gill
asserted that he was asked by
Chairman Edgar Morris to make a
list of improvements needed at the
jail and said 1--WE want to know the
essential facilities which will make
the Jail secure"
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Chester H. Gray, who previously
won inquiry board approval for the
taking of all testimony on how to
escape from the Jail in executive
session, today demanded that all
steps needed to prevent escapes also
be taken in executive session.
Escape Talks Kept Secret.
He refused to produce a report
on care and custody of condemned
prisoners, requested by the defense,
until the inquiry board meets in
executive session.
Walter M. Bastian, chairman of
the inquiry board, explained that
1t simply does not want open discus
sion of "blueprints" for escape.
II shall be very careful not to give
any aid and comfort to escaping
prisoners" Mr.. Gill assured Mr..
Gray.
The defense contends that the Sc
curity of the Jail is the most impor-
tant issue in the case and has
blamed the Welfare Board for fail
ure to support Mr.. Gill in his effort
to make the Jail safe.
Four Charges Thrown Out
The hearing was recessed until
$50 am. Wednesday. Mr.. Bastian
explained the board cannot meet
either Monday or Tuesday because
Of an engagement of one of the
members.
Twelve out of 16 charges originally
filed against Mr. Gill by the Board
of Public Welfare remain against
him. In four days on the witness
stand Mr.. Gill has countered eight
of them. The inquiry board threw
out one of the charges yesterday,
while counsel for the Welfare Board
has dropped three of them.
The four left all concern repri-
mands of the custodial force. De-
fense Attorney John j. Wilson con-
tends the Welfare Board has offered
no testimony to support two charges
that Mr.. Gill reprimanded officers
for enforcing Cd rules of the Jail
promulgated by the Welfare Board
and (2) orders issued by the penal
superintendent or by the resident
superintendent.