Whether the reports of the horrible conditions alleged to have existed at the Rocky Mount road district prison for some time past are true or not, there seems to be no one who will come out in the open and enter any defense of former superintendent Bagom or those entrusted to the safe keeping of the men committed to that penal institution. However, ever and anon some one may be heard to say “the whole affair has been greatly exaggerated.”
In view of former reports made by grand jurors as to the conditions they found to exist at divers times, these reports giving the institution a clean bill, there arises some discussion of the reason why former grand jurors have been so mistaken in their findings, or did they ever really make a “thorough investigation”?
Regardless of former reports, which have been published in The Graphic from time to time, the following report of the investigations recently made by a Nash County grand jury, and which was made public by Judge N.A. Sinclair at Fayetteville a few days ago and which was signed by Foreman Chas. W. Woodward, is a severe indictment against the management of the Rocky Mount road district prison and has caused considerable comment throughout the county:
Grand Jury’s Latest Report
“We the Grand Jury, by your instructions were convened in special session at Nashville at noon, June 12th, for the purpose of investigating all matters having to do with the administration of the affairs of the convict camps in Nash county, and in particular the camp in which are confined the prisoners worked on the Rocky Mount road district. In this special investigation we have examined a number of ex-convicts, convicts now under sentence, guards, others in charge, and citizens of the county who could give us information in order that we might intelligently report the situation to you and have substantial ground for such recommendations as we shall make in this communication.
“It is our unanimous opinion that a deplorable condition existed at the Rocky Mount camp, with no extenuating circumstances, no redeeming features, no justification, rights, or reasons for such brutal, inhuman physical treatment as has been accorded prisoners in this camp or stockade. Added to this treatment, the prisoners have been subject to a most cowardly for of mental moral torture by threats of physical punishment unless willing to perjure themselves on every occasion necessary, and which being deprived of their liberty, have seen those in charge of them disregard any and all laws, observing crimes committed in their presence, in most instances, more reprehensible than deeds for which they, the prisoners, were adjudged guilty.
“Unlawful liquor, in quantities limited only by the desire of those in charge, on hand at all times; the use of county property for unlawful purposes, with frequently nightly visits from associates of those in charge; the dissipation of county property to individuals in the shape of gasoline for their automobiles, stores, vegetables, etc., given away to callers; drunkenness a common occurrence among those in charge and under these conditions discipline administered to prisoners in any form thought proper by those in charge; truly a sad picture for this county to have before us.
Trust Is Betrayed
“A trust has been betrayed and there is nothing we can say to reduce our burden of responsibility.
“We, the entire grand jury, wish it to be thoroughly understood that the Rocky Mount Road Commission were in total ignorance of this deplorable condition, their confidence having been greatly abused and successfully maintained over a long period, by a system of guilty watchfulness and intimidation involving all connected with the camp, including guards and prisoners.
“This grand jury has a very clear and definite ideas as to what should be done in connection with the individual cases that have come before them in this investigation, and this feature is taken care of in privileged communication not a part of this report.
“Further, we have considered at length the recommendation we desire to make, and sincerely hope such direction may be given as will quickly accomplish these ends.
“We recommend the total abolishment of any form of corporal punishment in the camps in Nash county, or to such prisoners as are in the jurisdiction of the Rocky Mount Road Commission or used for any purpose whatsoever.
“In order that the purpose of this investigation may not be complicated with any other issue, we ask you to now dismiss us until we may be of further service.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Worth Woodward, Foreman
From the front page of The Graphic, Nashville, N.C., July 9, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073197/1925-07-09/ed-1/seq-1/
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