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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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1952-01-01 |
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| Name | Roy Phelix Best |
| Address |
Canon City, Colorado , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
March 02, 1900
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| Died | May 27, 1954
(54 years)
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| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | BrentinCO
May 20, 2018 08:08pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | Warden, Colorado State Penitentiary
Warden Roy Best was the most notorious, and in many ways most effective as a historical actor of Colorado State Penitentiary’s wardens. He held the position from August 12, 1932 until May of 1952. Throughout his tenure, Best was known for his preference of corporal punishment. The “Old Gray Mare” was a disciplinary tool by which inmates were bent over a sawhorse, tied up, and then flogged with a leather strap. This punishment was reserved for major violations, usually escape or attempted escape. Best used the “Old Gray Mare” as a method of public shame and pain, a deterrent to other offenders from committing similar offenses. Inmates seemed to understand his program and to accept the floggings as deserved. One offender who attempted to escape in 1951 said of the attempted escape and subsequent flogging, “we gambled and lost,” in a manner described as matter-of-factly. Even if prisoners submitted to Best’s punishments as fair, however, not everyone outside the prison concurred with his corporal harshness. Public outcry met reports of Best’s floggings. Governor Dan Thornton investigated and personally called for Best to be removed from office for this brutality. In 1952, Best was charged with excessive physical punishment and violation of prisoners’ rights. He was acquitted of these charges, but later found guilty of mixing personal financial affairs with the management of the prison. For this lesser offense Best received a two-year suspension, but three days before being reinstated died of a heart attack.
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