“PLAYFUL WAYS”

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3286, 4 March 1926, Page 15

“PLAYFUL WAYS”

TORTURE OF CONVICTS. “SWEAT BOXES” IN GEORGIA Stocks, “sweat boxes/’ and other primitive forms of punishment, have been in vogue in Georgia’s (U.S.A.) convict camps since the last was legally abolished, and Georgia is aroused now by charges that In the penalties inflicted on prisoners for violation of rules, the State has gone from bad 'to worse. (A “sweat box” is a wooden box slightly higher ,and broader and deeper than a man, with small holes in the top, and sliding panel in front, through which persons can be fed.) Reports have been made to the Prison Commission by several committees which investigated prison conditions in .the Slate, writes a Bri. tish United Press correspondent. These disclosed that following abolition of whipping, wardens were left virtually to their own devices in penalising convicts. Chained Man’s Ordeal. Stocks and "sweat boxes'-’ appear to have been the favourilte substitutes. But one country camp i a prisoner to be punished was backed up to a post, and his arms chained behind the post. His arms were then raised as high as possible, and the chain fastened on a nail. Thu prisoner was compelled to stand in this attitude for hours. Another report told of a convict being confined >n a shallow box, just large enough to hold him, and of mo. lasses being poured over his exposed face. His arms were fastened so that he was powerless to brush, away the flies. In defending the use of stocks and "sweat boxes/’ Superintendent A. a. Clarke said these devices are resorted to only when less severe measures of punishment have failed .to make recalcitrant convicts obey orders. Boxed Up For Six Bays. A white youth sentenced as a vag. rant refused to work, Clarke said. He was placed in a “solitary box,” a fraction higher than tho average man, with holes bored in the top. Bread and water were passed through a small sliding panel in tho door. The prisoner had to stand upright in the dark when the door was closed. ”1 thought a night of that would tame him,” continued Clarke. ‘But afeefi six days, on bread and water, he was as stubborn as ever. After that I had stocks made, and we locked him In them. Six hours later ho begged to be released.” Clarke further explained: “When, a man stays in the stocks long, his arms and his legs begin to swell, and then he has to be taken to hospital for treatment.” Tho Prison Commission has called wardens, country physicians;’ and other Interested officials into conference at which a ban of further uso of stocks and “sweat boxes” will be discussed. '