Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Prison BY MERRY BATEMAN A prison is a community, a correctional community, ac cording to Joe Martin, warden at the Central Correctional In stitution (CCI). "We have our problems like any community, " Martin said, "Especially with drug traffic and fights. I sometimes wonder if it is Woodrow I Caused B) BY FRANK DELOACHE A small fire in Woodrow's Tenement 28 set off the sprinkler system causing an estimated $747.40 in fire and water damage but injuring no one. According to Joe Barnes, associate housing director, around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday a large candle on top of a refrigerator in one of the small separate bedrooms on the third floor was left burning with the window and door shut, heat accumulated in the room. As the candle melted, wax ran over the top, and down the sides of the refrigerator and :aught fire. Water ran under the door and down the staircase. Water seeping through the floor flooded the second floor bedroom and the first floor central bathroom. Eight mattresses, seven box springs and the entire bathroom GAME The Gamecock i published twice sday during the fall and spring sem summer, with the exception of univ Change of address forms, subs< should be sent to The Gamecock, 29208. Subscription rate is $3 per The Gamecock received $36,000 ft 1973-74. Offices of the Gamecock Russell House on the university ca are 777-8178 and 777-4249, ews, ar class ostage paid at Columbia, S. los: BICY Quality Europear. I Manufactured By: Fas-Sport, Falcon In Col C AT E'S Boa Cedar Terrace 6420 Sumte P 77d 1:15 to 8 p.m. i Awarei ... Attempi not safer here than on the streets when I read about the violence :ccuring everyday." The term penitentiary is no longer representative of the programs and activities under way in South Carolina. There are a total of 18 institutions in the Department of Corrections, six of these located in the Columbia area. The main unit of the department is )orm Fire e Candle ceiling were replaced. The second flooi ceiling probably won't need to be replaced. George Mitchell, associate director of Housing Physical Facilities, said the student will be held responsible for all damages. "The insurance won't pay for damage caused by a violation of university regulations," Mitchell said. Carolina Community regulations read, "The use of candles or other open flamed apparatus is prohibited." In addition, Mitchell said the refrigerator involved was unregistered and oversized. "These costs are just estimates. They could increase or decrease in the final report." Mitchell said. The initial estimate included only damages to university property. Damage to other students' property whould have to be settled between the students involved. COCK. weekly on Mondsy and on Thur esters and once a week during the ersity holidays and exam periods. ription requests and other mail Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S.C., emester and $2 for the summer. -om the student activity fund for are rooms 317, 318 and 319 in the mpus, 1400 Green St. Telephones kd 777-3888, advertising. Second C. PEED 'CLES lcycies From $95.00 Git.ane, Bottecchia, MIaino, Cinelli, Colnago lu.nbia See: COTT AGE S9342 Shopping Center r Hwy. (29209) hne: ~-1209 LAan. through Sat tess Wet ing To Educat4 known as CCI because it is cen trally located among the other correctional institutions. Martin said the main institution now has a program aimed at at tempting to rehabilitate inmates and prepare them for their return to society. "I won't insult anybody's intelligence by saying we are rehabilitating anyone. Too many strikes are against us to advertize this. We offer the programs; it is up to the inmates to take advantage of them." CCI REPRESENTS the maximum security unit in the corrections system. It houses inmates under state sentence., county safekeepers who are to be tried and state hospital patients. Elaborate security measures such aselectricdoors, fences, dogs and strict rules are maintained. Pending legislative funds, the Department of Corrections will move all of its Columbia based institutions to the Broad River Road area. Realistic plans to phase out CCI over a five year period are being made. "We are well equipped to handle 1200 men. We are not paying lip service by saying we are over crowded when the statistics show our population as 1680 men. Presently we have a vacancy for only nine men. They could appear in one day. This phase out ""ooe 9eo"eee eee"".ut W" " 9K"o a "al " " " 00 0 0 00"e 00 0 e .0... The Public A program will relieve us o men and put us in operative range," Martin said. BESIDES DEALING with the problem of overpopulation, CCI has to work in old facilities. The Washington Post in a report on prisons said CCI "may he the worst dungeon in the country, a 106 year old five story granite mass with iron catwalks from which, in the past, inmates had thrown guards and fellow inmates to their death below." CCI covers a 28-acre plot with medical facilities, prison in dustries-including a metal shop, book bindery and furniture shop, athletic fields, and an educational and vocational department. Southern prisons have been stereotyped as being inadequate for decades. The leg iron, lash and stripes have vanished. Conditions are improving but opposition remains. Many people including state politicians regard prison reform as an evil. A recent Gallup poll showed 65 per cent of those contacted believed criminals were getting off too lightly. South Carolina is beginning to give attention to bettering prison conditions. Young inmates of 17 to 19 years are locked up with har dened criminals. Martin said, "It is my recommendation that the 400 iuae Falke0 9da, . 20 5:00-6:30 p.t de eHobe Ckiaaug inreund the wd exSkew Skavb -5:45 bout Prisons youngest inmates be moved out when the new facilities are opened up. It is my belief that people should be segragated by age." WARI)EN MARTIN commented that he was happy to see Prison Awareness Week appearing on college campuses, specifically at USC. He said so many people are misinformed and are quick to jump against prisons. College students are open minded and can influence public opinion. CCI is sending two plays and a band of their own called New Coronets To Prison Awareness Week, Martin said. These groups are all professional and offer versatility. "It is true there are not many places outside of prison where an inmate can get a job making license plates but the skill is valuable. I see merit in teaching a man any job. A person must develop a skill and discipline. We are giving on the job training equitable anywhere." "Prisons have never been financed as they should be. You hear a lot of talk to the effect that prisons don't work and should be closed. This is not a fair assump tion. In this country I know of no institution being staffed and funded as it should be to find out if prisons really work or not," Martin said.