Letter from Bert B. Babero (Las Vegas, Nev.) to William Laub (Las Vegas, Nev.), March 13, 1968

O U J K ? > P A U L L A X A L T Governor S TA TE O F NEVAD A Commission on Equal rights of Citizens State Office b u ild in g 2 I S E. B O N A N Z A ROAD L A S VEGAS, N EVAD A 89101 March 13, 1968 W IL L IA M L A U B . CHAIRMAN H E LE N W H IT A C R E . SECRETARY B E RT B A B E R O , MEMBER JE R R Y F U R R , MEMBER L E S L IE G R A Y . MEMBER W IL L IA M E. W Y N N , Executive secretary Mr. William Laub, President Southwest Gas Corporation 2011 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Dear Mr. Laub: On March 7, 1968, Commissioner Furr, Commissioner Gray and myself visited the Nevada State Prison. At 9:00 AM we met with Warden Hocker and Associate Warden Pogue. After Commissioner Gray introduced Commissioner Furr and myself to Warden Hocker, Mr. Gray then left because of an appointment elsewhere. We spent approximately 40 minutes with Warden Carl G. Hocker, during which time he explained certain pertinent information concerning the prison. Enclosed are two publications given to us by the Warden which encompass the information given to us. The character?istic composition of the Nevada State Prison, including the number, ethnic group, offenses, and age groups , is given on the enclosed sheet. Both Warden Hocker and Associate Warden Pogue appeared cordial and amiable and offered complete assistance to us in our investigative efforts. The Warden declined to make a tour with us, but assigned Mr. Pogue to accompany us. Commissioner Furr and myself visited each area of the prison, making thorough observations and inspections. Questions were generously answered by Mr. Pogue as they arose. Our inspection tour of the maximum and medium portions of the prison was completed by noon. We then went to the prisoners' dining hall for lunch. At this time, Commissioner Furr and myself, respectively, sat with Negro prisoners and conducted a brief interview. Upon leaving the lunch hall, we met Mr. Gray, who had just returned to the prison. He was accompanied by Warden Hocker. Commissioner Furr and I, in the accompaniment of Mr. Pogue, then went to the minimum security prison, which is some eight miles from the old prison. While here, we made a complete inspection tour and I managed to interview, yJ(J-I * a tJ-iX ? a JA Mr. William Laub Page 2 March 13, 1968 in a secluded area, one of the Negro inmates. The complete tour of the minimum security prison took approximately 45 minutes. We then returned to the old prison where we met Commissioner Gray. This was approximately between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM. Both Commissioners Furr and Gray then left the prison; however, prior to their going, we mutually agreed that no information would be given to newspapers concerning our findings until we had thoroughly analyzed and evaluated our observations and notes. I remained at the prison until 6:00 PM, during which time I interviewed approximately 20 inmates, both Negro and Caucasian. Seven of these persons were interviewed individually in a place provided for this purpose. Three were interviewed in the lunchroom and seven, which comprised the inmate committee, were interviewed in the office of the captain. In addition to these interviews, four persons were interviewed in their cells. The following discriminatory complaints concerning Negroes were given to me by both Negro and Caucasian inmates: I. Jobs ? unequal job opportunities. All agreed that there was only tokenism in jobs. A. Culinary 1. No cooks or bakers 2. No line workers 3. No waiters 4. No opportunity for upgrading in the kitchen, as is usually the custom for Caucasian kitchen workers. 5. Only minor jobs such as dishwashers, porters, moppers and scrubbers represented the culinary employment area for Negroes. B. One worker claimed that he was placed in a dungeon because he circulated a petition concerning better jobs for Negroes. C. Laundry area Complaints were lodged concerning the inadequate representation in the laundry area. (One Negro is presently working in the laundry both as a porter and as a shaker of sheets.) D. Paying jobs In maximum security, Negroes complained that although most were working, they were declined U U J X , ?UJX O J JA t U t ? U X Mr. William Laub Page 3 March 13, 1968 positions in the better-paying jobs. The salary range for jobs generally is from $3.00 to $9.00. The types of positions available, persons employed, and the salary scale may be seen from the enclosed report, which does not designate race. II. Housing It was stated that many changes have taken place in this area within the last two months since the strike and because of publicity in newspapers. A. Prior to the strike, all Negroes in the prison were placed in tiers BB & G. B. Tier G is still an all-Negro tier, but tier BB has been converted over to a quarantine area for all new prisoners. C. Both tier G and tier H are designed as honor tiers, the latter being a Caucasian tier. Considerable difference was noted between these two tiers, and there was no shower in tier G. D. It was stated no Negroes are in dorms. III. Other complaints A. Trusted positions - Negroes interviewed stated Negroes were never given trusted positions. B. Classification for going to the minimum security prison - All Negroes interviewed stated there was discrimination concerning Negroes going to the minimum security area. C. The Barber Shop - Until one week ago, there was not a Negro barber. However, upon presenting a petition to the appropriate persons, a Negro barber was assigned. All Negroes complained that four hours a week was insufficient time for the barber to remain in the shop and that Caucasian barbers were there every day. D. Parole Board - Prisoners complained that racial bias was shown in the selection and/or time in which they appeared before the parole board and white prisoners have a better chance of being paroled. u u j x ? ? J X ? oJ X , Oil. Mr. William Laub Page 4 March 13, 1968 E. Inmate relationship - Generally, all prisoners stated that there was good relationship between minority and Caucasian inmates. The discrimination which exists, they felt, stemmed from the adminis?tration . F. Medical care - Apparently some discrimination exists in readiness in which Negroes are given medical care. G. Absence of Negro guards - Both the Negro prisoners and the Warden agreed that the presence of Negro guards would have a morale-building effect upon prisoners. H. Mattresses - Negroes stated they could not get clean and good mattresses as readily as Caucasian inmates. IV. Inmate Committee The Inmate Committee of the Maximum Security Prison was established within the past two months for the purpose of assisting "in the effective communication between the inmate population and the Prison Adminis?tration." The Committee included one Negro member. The Bylaws of this committee are included herein. Considerable time was spent with this group in private discussion. The general viewpoints of this committee appeared to parallel those of the Nevada Society. It was stated that since being established, 33 of 44 recommendations or suggestions made were accepted by the administration. Additional recommendations made to me are as follows: 1. Additional vocational training. 23.. MMoorree praeycirnega tijoobns .and gymnastic activities. 4. Psychological and sociological services (perhaps University could help). 5. Discounts for inmates taking college and high school courses ? perhaps even free offerings. 6. Elimination of taxes in the prison store and lower prices, since some prices are higher than sale prices in town. 7. More educational materials needed. 8. Funds for dentures, since present money now comes from inmate welfare funds. Mr. William Laub Page 5 March 13, 1968 General Comments Personal observations revealed that some discrimination still exists in the prison, despite apparent recent corrections which have been made. Warden Hocker stated that he was aware of areas of discrimination and that efforts are being made to eliminate them. He felt that such efforts should be accomplished gradually, so as not to antagonize other prisoners. Apparently, within the past two months, since the food strike, considerable gains have been made in this regard. Some Negro inmates expressed a fear that recent gains relative to non-discriminatory treatment may not be lasting. Sincerely yours, Bert B. Babero Commissioner BBB:ss E n d s . cc: Governor Paul Laxalt Warden Carl Hocker, Nevada State Mrs. Helen Whitacre, Secretary, Equal Rights Commission^ Reverend Jerry Furr, Commissioner, Equal Rights Commission Leslie Gray, Commissioner, Equal Rights Commission William E. Wynn, Executive Secretary, Equal Rights Comm. Ernest Mullins, Field Representative, Equal Rights Comm.