Edwina Donnelly Mitchell

Edwina Donnelly Mitchell
Superintendent (warden) of Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women
In office 1951–1966
Alabama Pardons and Parole Board
In office 1939–1949
Assistant Attorney General
In office 1939–1939
Assistant Attorney General
In office 1922–1925
Personal details
Born	1894 Autauga County, Alabama, United States
Died	February 4, 1968 (aged 73–74) Alabama, United States
Alma mater	University of Montevallo Vanderbilt University Law School

Edwina Donnelly Mitchell (1894–1968) was the Superintendent (warden) of Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women located in Wetumpka, Alabama.

Background

Originally from Autauga County, Alabama,^[1] she was a graduate of Alabama College (now University of Montevallo) and a 1946 graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School.^[2]

Alabama attorney general Harwell Goodwin Davis appointed Mitchell as Assistant Attorney General of Alabama 1922–25. She held the position again in 1939, when she wrote the legislation to create the Alabama Pardons and Parole Board. She was the first woman to serve on the board, 1939–1949.^[2]

Tutwiler

In 1951, she was appointed Superintendent of Tutwiler. She believed harsh conditions and strict measures only hardened people whose lives had led them to prison, telling an interviewer, "The attorney general used to ask me to sit in on meetings for him when I was an assistant. I went out to see the institutions we were putting people in, and I was so upset I've never lost interest in the correctional field."^[2] Instead, she housed the women in shared cells, where they were allowed some personal items in their area.^[3] Spurred by proposed state legislation to revamp the prison system, based on allegations it was a financial liability by not being self-supporting, women's clubs toured Tutwiller to observe the situation for themselves. The visitors found prisoners growing their own food, and learning the textile trade. Mitchell explained her philosophy of teaching the prisoners how to get past their own hostilities, "I believe everybody can be improved with the right kind of self discipline."^[4]

Final years and death

After reaching retirement age for a state job, Mitchell was given a waiver to continue overseeing Tutwiler. Her personal physician urged her to retire when she reached the age of 70. Although the announcement was made in January 1965, no date was set.^[5] She was hospitalized with a heart attack in January 1966, and she officially retired July 16.^[6]

Mitchell died February 4, 1968.^[7] She was elected to the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1973.^[2]

References

1. Jenkins, Ray (September 6, 1959). "Warden of Tutwiller". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . p. 9, col. 1. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
2. "Governor, Penologist elected to Alabama Women's Hall of Fame".  – via NewspaperArchive.com (subscription required) . July 4, 1973. p. 15. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
3. "Tutwiller Head Says Convicts Need Kindness". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . November 23, 1955. p. 7, col. 4. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
4. "Julia Tutwiller 'Country Club' Inspected by State Clubwomen". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . May 18, 1955. pp. 1, cols. 4–5. p.2, col 4. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
5. "Warden of Women's Prison Expected To Retire Soon". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . January 29, 1965. p. 2. col. 6. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
6. "Mrs. Mitchell's Status Critical". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . January 8, 1966. p. 5, col. 7. Retrieved January 2, 2018.; "Mrs. Mitchel Retiring as Julia Tutwiler Warden". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . July 16, 1966. p. 6, col. 3. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
7. "Ex-Warden of Tutwiler Dies at 73". The Montgomery Advertiser – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . February 5, 1968. p. 1. col. 1. Retrieved January 2, 2018.