Salt Lake Telegram | 1951-05-12 | Page 4 | Women Prisoners

Women Prisoners A suit has been filed in Third district court attacking the Utah practice of confining confining confining con con- fining women felons in the Colorado state prison for women While it is unfortunate unfortunate not not only for Utah but for our women felons who undoubtedly undoubtedly un un- get far better betler care in Colorado Colorado Colo Colo- Colorado rado than they would in makeshift quarters here that here that this matter mailer ever became became became be be- came an issue it is probably just as well now that it be settled by court test lesl There should no longer be any question question ques ques- tion lion as to the l legality of pf this year old practice except on c con constitutional o n s t tit i t u uti t i o 0 n a l I grounds The last legislature following the raising of the issue by District Judge A. A H. H Ellett enacted laws granting the governor authority to enter into compacts compacts com corn pacts for confinement of prisoners with other states stales and approving the specific agreement with the Colorado prison Whether as the attorneys who filed t is case contend such confinement in another state stale is cruel and punishment punishment punishment punish punish- ment barred by the constitution is a moot question It might be more cruel and unusual for a sole woman felon to tobe tobe tobe be forced into solitary confinement in a specially maintained U Utah Uta t a h women's prison At any event we trust this case will bring a decision which will make it possible possible pos pos- sible ible for the state slate of Utah to lo establish a sound and economical system in incarcerating incarcerating in- in women felons with wilh the legality settled beyond any doubt