2 fires set at workhouse in protest of crackdown

By Robert G. Voelker Dissident prisoners set two small fires yesterday in an attempt to frustrate a reorganization of Warrensville Workhouse, including a crackdown on dope smuggling, an official said.

Also, a few inmates left their lunch trays untouched in what was intended as a hunger strike, said the Rev. William W. Hull, workhouse administrator.

"Less than 10% of the population is doing the damage,' said the Rev. Mr. Hull, also a United Church of Christ clergyman.

The first fire, he said.

flared in a pile of dirty clothes about 9 a.m. in the basement of the main building, and was put out by prisoners. About an hour later, he said, a mattress was set ablaze on the second floor of the same building. It was put out by fire-

men.

The Rev. Mr. Hull said the second fire was set for the benefit of news people. who, by that time, had begun arriving at the workhouse.

The trouble, he said, was caused by in mates unhappy over the initiation of changes at the workhouse,

including a shift of most of the inmates from the main building to the former women's building and the beginning of various rehabilitation programs.

The dissidents, he said, would prefer to indulge in "hanky-panky" in the dormitories of the main building or mope around and avoid rehabilitation efforts.

The administrator indicated some of the workhouse staff is encouraging the dissidents. Asked if some staffers might be assisting in smuggling dope and whisky into the jail, he replied:

"You can't have smuggling if the staff is doing its duty."

He quickly added, "I want to emphasize we have some staff people who are very good and very dedicated.

Those caught smuggling. he said. will face crimina! charges and their civil service status will be terminated.

The former women's building, which contains 100 "private rooms," also will afford inmates better protection against homosexual attacks from other inmates. the Rev. Mr. Hull said.

The workhouse housed 288 prisoners yesterday.