R Porter series on overcrowded conditions; illus; Comr Kross int; cites figures; sees conditions worsening in light of crime-rate rise forecast during next 5 yrs; high recidivism rate noted; conditions worst at detention insts; Manhattan and Bklyn City Prisons and Women's Detention House described; sentence insts, Rikers and Hart Islands and New Hampton Reformatory seen better; causes of problem discussed; Comr Cass comment

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BRITISH ASSESSING STATUS OF FRANCE; Weighing Value and Viability of West European Alliance Without Role for Paris BRITISH ASSESSING STATUS OF FRANCE

By Drew Middletonspecial To the New York Times

other courses weighed

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1954Kent Benson, American basketball player^[†]

Michael Kent Benson is an American former professional basketball player. He was a two-time All-American for the Indiana Hoosiers, winning the 1976 Helms Foundation Player of the Year and helping lead the Hoosiers to the 1976 NCAA championship with a perfect 32–0 record, with Benson being named the 1976 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Benson was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1977 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, playing 11 seasons in the NBA for Milwaukee (1977–1980), the Detroit Pistons (1980–1986), Utah Jazz (1986–1987) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1988).

1954Mandie Fletcher, English director, producer, and production manager^[†]

Mandie Elizabeth Fletcher is a British television and film director.

1954Teo Chee Hean, Singaporean politician and 5th Senior Minister of Singapore^[†]

Teo Chee Hean is a Singaporean former politician and two-star rear-admiral who served as Senior Minister of Singapore and Coordinating Minister for National Security from 2019 and 2015 respectively until 2025. He served as the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Pasir Ris West division of Pasir Ris–Punggol Group Representation Constituency from 2001 to 2025.

Historical Context for December 27, 1954

In 1954, the world population was approximately 2,685,894,860 people^[†]

Headlines from December 27, 1954

CAPITAL EYES 1955 WITH MIXED VIEWS; Stassen Predicts Eisenhower Boom -- Lobbyist Believes Tariff Plan Is Doomed CAPITAL EYES 1955 WITH MIXED VIEWS

CHOU SAYS BRITAIN HURTS PEIPING TIE BY SUPPORTING U.S.; Red China's Premier Warns London Stand Encourages 'Seizure' of Formosa Chou Says Britain Hurts Relations With Red China by Backing U. S.

President Set to Cut Holiday If French Reject Arms Pact

CITY JAILS CALLED SCHOOLS OF CRIME; CROWDING BLAMED; Built for 4,200 Inmates, They Average 6,685 This Year -- Greater Jam Is Feared CITY JAILS CALLED SCHOOLS OF CRIME Cure Sought for a 'Chronic Disease': Overcrowded Conditions That Turn City Jails Into Schools of Crime

BRITISH ASSESSING STATUS OF FRANCE; Weighing Value and Viability of West European Alliance Without Role for Paris BRITISH ASSESSING STATUS OF FRANCE

Notable Births

Historical Context for December 27, 1954