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HISTORY OF THE KENTUCKY PENITENTIARY SYSTEM,

NCJ Number
49259
Author(s)
R G CRAWFORD
Date Published
1955
Length
381 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KENTUCKY PENITENTIARY SYSTEM AND ITS ADMINISTRATION ARE DISCUSSED WITH EMPHASIS ON POLITICAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE SYSTEM. THE NATURE OF THE PRISONS AND PRISONER TREATMENT IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
MEASURES FOR DEALING WITH THE EARLY PIONEER PRISONERS INCLUDED DETENTION, SUPPLEMENTED WITH WORK SCHEDULES, SPECIAL DIETS, AND CELL REQUIREMENTS. POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND ECONOMICAL CONSIDERATIONS WERE THE GREATEST DETERMINANTS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PENITENTIARY, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN FRANKFURT (KY.). THE PRISONS WERE RUN ON A LEASE BASIS, AND PRISONERS WERE EVENTUALLY HIRED OUT ON PUBLIC CONTRACTS FOR LABOR. IN 1878, A GREAT HUMANITARIAN, LUKE P. BLACKBURN, WAS ELECTED AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE. HE GRANTED PARDONS ON A LARGE SCALE AND ATTEMPTED TO INSTITUTE IMPROVED STANDARDS FOR CONDITIONS IN THE PRISON. HIS MOST EMBATTLED ATTEMPT WAS TO ABOLISH THE LEASE SYSTEM, WHICH WAS AT THE TIME IN THE HANDS OF JERRY SOUTH. BLACKBURN'S LONG FIGHT WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND SOUTH FOR PRISON IMPROVEMENTS AND ABOLISHMENT OF THE LESSEE IS DESCRIBED. IN 1880, A LAW WAS PASSED TO REORGANIZE THE PENITENTIARY, AND POLITICAL EVENTS SURROUNDING THE SHIFT IN PRISON CONTROL TO A WARDEN ELECTED BY THE LEGISLATURE ARE DESCRIBED. A PRISON BOARD WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED. THE BOARD OF THE PENITENTIARY COMMISSION CALLED FOR THE CONVERSION OF ONE OF THE PENITENTIARY BUILDINGS INTO A UNIT FOR HARD-CORE CRIMINALS AND ONE FOR YOUNG CRIMINALS IN 1910. LATER A BRANCH TO THE FRANKFURT FACILITY WAS BUILD IN EDDYVILLE. DEVELOPMENTS TOWARDS JUVENILE REFORMATORIES AND WOMEN'S FACILITIES ARE DISCUSSED. INTERNAL PROBLEMS WITH PERSONNEL REVIEWED INCLUDE CASES OF DRUNKENESS, SEXUAL ASSAULT ON FEMALE INMATES, TAKING MONEY AND GIFTS FROM PRISONERS, AND BRUTALITY. PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE PRISONS BETWEEN 1865 AND 1937 ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. THE PENITENTIARY WAS BUILT ON SWAMPLAND, AND THEREFORE SANITARY CONDITIONS WERE DEPLORABLE AND THERE WAS MUCH DISEASE AND RESULTING DEATH. ASPECTS OF THE PRISON DIET, RELIGIOUS SERVICES, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE FINAL SEGMENT, AND INCIDENTS OF PRISON REVOLT AND VIOLENCE ARE REPORTED ON. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (DAG)