1932: Sour Apples Cause County Jail Revolt

03/29/1932

County Jail Prisoners Throw Stewed Fruit on Floor

Sheriff Tom Armstrong today said he would investigate complaints of federal prisoners that the county jail concessionaire is overcharging prisoners.

Federal prisoners in tank two were allowed freedom of the tank today after being locked in cells because they threw jail food on the floor. The trouble started when sour stewed apples were sent to them they said.

James A. Boarman, awaiting trial on an interstate automobile theft charge, said prisoners in t tank two are charged 20 cents for “tailor made” cigarets, 60 cents a pound for butter and 10 cents a pint for milk.

Armstrong said the concessionaire is suppose to charge the same price El Paso stores quote.

Boarman said a prisoner received five cans of tobacco from a friend and the concessionaire charged five cents a can for delivery.

“Such complaints re false,” Armstrong said. No tobacco or candy is permitted to come into the jail from the outside. All packages are returned to the sender.

“We follow this practice to keep narcotics out of the jail.”

Carl Johnson complained that jail coffee has only a small amount of sugar and no cream. The concessionaire sells milk and sugar to prisoners, Johnson said.

Johnson threatened a federal investigation of jail expenditures when he is released. Food is poorly cooked he said.