Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-10-28
The Parish Prison. .

The report of the Grand Jury of the parish
of Lafourche, made at the recent session Of the
District Court in this place, depicts IN PLAIN
language the present condition Of the hove
peculiar institution: In order that all may have
the benefit of the information it contains, we
give Il in both the French and English Ian
guages. Shame to Lafourche Shame to the
constituted guardians Of the public interest and
the honor of our parish-the Police Jury! To
think that Lafourche-the second rural parish
in the State, in point Of wealth-should be so
far behind all others in public buildings and
public conveniences. The report of the Grand
Jury, although humiliating enough, in all con-
science, does not tell half that might be told of
the imbecility and short-sightedness of those
having charge of these matters. The abomina-
BILE building known as our Jail is one Of the most
disgusting loathsome, and insecure prisons it
is possible to conceive Of To show how much
confidence our officers have in it's security, We
need only call attention to the fact that when
prisoner is to be confined under any serious
charge, he is shipped to the prison in Terre-
bonnie, parish whose tax-roll indicates far less
wealth and Importance than Lafourche, but
whose people have pride and liberality enough
to provide themselves with such public buildings
as are absolutely necessary in any civilized
community.
Our Court House, too, is fit monument to
the distinguished wisdom and unexampled pub
lie spirit of our parochial legislators. Show US
such another one in the United States belonging
to county having within its limits sac millions
Of dollars worth Of taxable property, and we
will acknowledge that old Lafourche is not en-
titled to such distinction as we now believe her
worthy Of But the report tells its own story,
and we commend it to the serious attention of
all interested:
The Grand Jurors for the State of louisiana impanneed
and inquire in and for the body Of the parish of
LafOurche upon their oath present:
That in duty bound they have carefully and infinitely
examined the condition Of the Parish Jail of said parish of
afourche, and inquired into the that the prisoners
herein detained are treated.
That they consider and deem said Parish Jail inadequate
md insufficient for the number and saekecpng of the in
mates therein confined.
That said Parish Jail is filthy and nauseatng especially
he lower rooms thereof emitting pesenal stencil dan
,erous to the health and life Of the prisoners.
That they unprovided with bedding bars and other
equstes what little furnished them being supplied by
he Jailor himself, Mr.. Theesphore Besson
That JUSTICE humanity and the public health and security
require that all said desderate should be
ded for and afforded by the Police Jury of said parish
hereto empowered and thereto bound.
Which present report hereby respectfully submitted to
he Hon. the Judge Of the Fifth Judicial District by the
;rand Jury, through the undersigned their Foreman.
H. W. TABOR, Foreman.
lie Grand Jur de rEtat de Ia Louisiana organise
,ente pour senquerr dams pour la parosse Laourche
BUS serment rapporte:
Que, eur devoir les oblge lis ont sogneusement
reimbursement Teta de la geoe de Ia dte paroisse de
aourche ct sc sont enqus de la manere don't les prison
iers sont traites
Qus jugent Ia dite geoe tout fit insufsante pour
ombre ct Ia bonnie garde des prisionners qui
rmes.
Que la e geole est tres sale nauseabonde les cham
infereures surtout exhalent infection pestiente
pabe de metre danger Ia sante Ia vie prsonniers
Que les prsonners manqnent de Its, de mousquaires
aures chose necesaires. le don't lis sont present
,uvns leur etant ourni par lie geoer u meme Mr. The
sphere Besson.
Que Ia justice Phumanite Ia sante ans que Ia surete
lbque exgent que chooses soen prsen considera
ct quill soft pourvu par lie Jury de Police de la ite
lrosse, qui y est tenu ct oblige.
Leque rapport est respecueusement soumis Honorable
,ge du Cinquiame District Judciare par lie Grand Jury
" intermediate de leur chef soussgne.
Fl. TAROR Chef |