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The Home Journal
Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas County, Virgin Islands
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A citizen from Christiansted, St. Croix, writes on August 25, 1955, exposing disgraceful conditions at Richmond penitentiary, including prolonged solitary confinement without light, inadequate food, and harsh treatment, worse than previously condemned by Judge Moore, urging investigation.
Merged-components note: Merged continuation of the letter to the editor about prison conditions from page 3 to page 4.
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St. Croix
August 25, 1955
Dear Mr. Editor:
We are dropping you these few lines to let you know the way prisoners are being treated at Richmond penitentiary.
Prisoners have been locked up in solitary confinement for weeks for petty offenses, and frequently they are harshly treated for nothing. The same conditions which Judge Moore found to be disgraceful following the escape of one of the prisoners exist today. If anything, these conditions are worse. As Judge Moore said, he didn't send persons to prison to be treated like animals. He condemned cells without windows, and said that no inmate should be placed in any of these cells more than 24 hours. One prisoner at the time of this writing was in one of these cells. He is supposed to stay there for 24 days, without light.
We have had bad wardens, but nothing like this. He told prisoners that the food wouldn't be any better. Sometimes it is so bad we have to leave it and live on air. Just imagine five tins of milk for forty three men.
The persons at Richmond have committed crimes, but they are people and not animals. Prison is not a hotel, but Richmond is hell itself. Nobody investigates conditions here and when prisoners protest the prison officials persecute them.
How long will conditions continue?
A Citizen
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Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Citizen
Recipient
Mr. Editor
Main Argument
prisoners at richmond penitentiary endure harsh, animal-like treatment including extended solitary confinement without light and inadequate food, conditions worse than those previously condemned by judge moore, and officials persecute protesters while no investigations occur.
Notable Details