NCJ Number
13181
Date Published
1974
Length
222 pages
Annotation
JOURNALIST'S ACCOUNT OF BRUTALITY AND POOR CONDITIONS IN NEW YORK STATE PRISONS AND OF PARTIALITY AND INCOMPETENCE AMONG NEW YORK CITY JUDGES.
Abstract
BASED ON AFFIDAVITS AND INTERVIEWS WITH PRISONERS, ORGANIZED BEATINGS OF PRISONERS BY GUARDS IN NEW YORK CITY PRISONS AND THE SHOOTING OF PRISONERS AT ATTICA IN SEPTEMBER 1971 ARE DESCRIBED. INSTANCES OF OVERCROWDING, ARBITRARY USE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, SUICIDES BY PRISONERS AND LACK OF ADEQUATE FOOD AND MEDICAL AND SANITARY FACILITIES ARE DETAILED. CASES ARE MENTIONED OF JUDGES BEING LENIENT WITH DRUG DISTRIBUTORS AND MEMBERS OF THE MAFIA BUT HARSH WITH POOR OFFENDERS AND MEMBERS OF MINORITIES. IT IS CLAIMED THAT POLITICAL PULL RATHER THAN PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION IS THE USUAL MEANS EMPLOYED TO OBTAIN A JUDGESHIP IN NEW YORK CITY. IT IS FURTHER ASSERTED THAT A NUMBER OF JUDGES THERE ARE NOT QUALIFIED. THE KNAPP COMMISSION REPORT ALLEGING WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION AMONG POLICEMEN, PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES IS CITED. THE CITY MARSHALS, WHO EXECUTE EVICTIONS AND GARNISHMENTS AND REPOSSESS MERCHANDISE, ARE DESCRIBED AS VENAL AND TEMPTED BY GREED AND POWER. NAMES OF PRISONERS, CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL, JUDGES, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CITY MARSHALS ARE MENTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EPISODES DESCRIBED.