The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-13

the three so.called lunatic cells are totally
unfit for the purpose. We do not recon-.
mend any, rs we think prison fare and
such nursing and attention as is usual are
not such as is needed for that unfortunate
class. But if provision Is to be made for
them, then let it be done by constructing as
many cells as are likely to be needed, furnish
them properly, and provide suitable nursing
and food, cost what it may always bearing
in mind that lunatics should be, allowed to
come In contact only with their keepers.
From what is above stated the members of
this commission believe that it requires
great stretch OF imagination to conceive Of
more filthy, ill-supplied, and pestiferous
place than the Jail of the city Of Richmond.
Your commissioners therefore respectfully
recommend that if the city Jail remain on its
! present site it be enlarged to twice its pre-
sent size ;, that the cells be ventilated;
that all privics connecting with the open
culyert be trapped, with supply OF water
to each that water be furnished all over the
building, and so arranged with plugs and
hose as to furnish q means Of eXtinguishing
fire and cleansing tue whole premises that
the heating apparatus now in use De aool.
ished. and some other and better means OF
heating the Jail be substituted; that the pre-
sent cooking arrangements in use De aDoi-
ished and substituted by others more exten-
sive and more efficient. For example, NO
were told that it was impracticabe to pre-
pare any other than corn-bread in the exist
Ing oven and as your commissioners believe
that bread prepared from wheaton fiourforms
an absolutely necessary variety OF 1000, we
therefore urge this point
That there be building detached from the
jail proper to be used as hospital, to which
all who are sick or aling should be conveyed
as soon as their condition lin the opinion OF
the medical officer) may require it, supplied
with bedsteads and bedding, cleanly and
sufficient, and attended by one or more COM
petent nurses; that hospital stores should
| he provided for the sick, to be su-
peryised by the medical officer OF the In
stitution: that seats of some sort (stone
are generally used in European prisons,
and are a part of the wals) should be
In every cell: that towels should be pro-
yded for the prisoners. tablespoons OF WOOD,
If Thought best, should be supplied to the
| prisoners, as it is difficult to conceive how
soup, very prominent article OF their DAILY
| food, can be taken without their aid. That
there be at least two night-Wa!chmcn on con.
slant duty in the establishment to protect and
assist the jalor in the discharge OF bis duties.
In case of an emeute. or Of tire occurring IN the
jail, or of sudden illness, it is manifest That
one man would not be sufficient for the emer-
| cency. In this connection your COMMISSION
ers would beg leave to suggest telegraph
communication with the nearest station
| house.
The proof that the services Of more than
one man in the Jail are necessary at night
| is found in recent unhappy occurrence
the death Of "Sickels when, had he Jallor
had proper assistance, his life might have
| been preserved. On the occasion OF this oc-
currcuee there was but one man sleeping IN
the Jail other than the prisoners, and he
sick He was, therefore, physically unable
| to perform the duties required OF him. lie
is but man, and requires sleep and rest as
Others do. Even had he been able to so he
might have encountered Danger in entering
| a cell alone where were three prisoners.
| Here is another argument, however, in
favor of hospital and It's proper concoml-
tants.
| In conclusion. from all the information we
can CLEAN from every quarter, the J1llor ana
| his assistants have been uniformly courteous
and kind to the prisoners under their charge
| If their be faults Of omission or commission
they are perhaps justly chargcable TO the
| fact that the present incumbent has fallen INTO
the footsteps of his predecessors but, judg-
! ing from the examination which we felt
authorized to make Of his sentiments and
| opinions, he readily recognizes that fact, and
| would. we believe, willingly and heartily
lend himself to any plan suggestive Of i'm
provement.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
TSionedl JAMES BEALE,
u. w. GRUyBs,
| FRANKLIN STEARNS.
| Commissioners.
| The Court, in accordance with section Z,
chapter 80, of the Code, entered the follow
ing order:
And it appearing to the Court, from the
report of the special inspectors appointed for
the purpose, that in their examination of the
jail Of the said city that said Jail is totally
insufficient for the purposes Of a Jail by rea.
son of situation and defective construction !;
that it is unhealthy and pestiferous; that the
Iapparatus for heating and cooking is en-
trelv insufficient for health or comfort; it is
therefore ordered that rule be awarded in
the name and on behalf of the Common
wealth of Virginia against the members of
the Council Of the city Of Richmond to show
cause why peremptory mdndamuS shall not
issue commanding them to erect sufficient
Jail for said city; which rule is to be return.
able to the first day Of the next April term
| of this poI1rt