National Republican., 1883-11-16
THE DISTRICT JAIL.
Highly Interesting Report Of Gen. John s.
CrOCker, the Warden.
Statistics as to the Criminals and i'm
potant Recommendations,
He Thinks a Workshop Of Some Kind ShOuld be
Established in the Jail.
A Wall Also Wahted-Other suggestions
Made in the Report.

Warden John s. CroclSor. of the United
States Jail, has submitted his annual report to
Attorney General Brewster, and by reason
Of the warden's long experience in criminal
management it is regarded as an ablo paper
on that subject. 1t states that the officers and
employees of the Jail have performed their
duties efficiently, and good discipline has been
maintained. 1t has been my theory from
the beginning of my experience in charge
of this institution that prisoners, like
other persons, could be more easily
reached by appeals to reason than by
force, and that good discipline could be
best maintained, The greatest number OF
prisoners reformed and the ends of justice
most substantially secured by the kind and
humane treatment of prisoners. manifesting
due regard for their rights, and carefully pro-
viding for their wants and necessities.
The experience Of many years has assured
me of the correctness of this theory. Hence,
by the rules have established for the gov
ernment of the institution, all are enjoined to
promote harmony, maintain order and good
discipline throughout the prison and grounds,
promote the rights and we'll being of the in
mates, and secure for them such treat
ment as will conform to the
requirements of law and the dictates
Of humanity and justice, by gentle
department., kind admonition, and timely ad-
vice, rather than by resorting to physical
force, using only such means of restraint as
may become necessary to repress and subdue
insubordination, overcome bad conduct, and
bring the offenders within the line of good
behavior and, compliance with prison dis
ciplne. Experience has shown that by
proper treatment many of the criminal classes
can be reformed and saved, and that even the
vicious and depraved, when brought within
the range of proper treatment and moral
restraining influences, can be returned to
their friends and society as good, law-abidipg
citizens.
We have no chaplain connected with the
Jail, but the Young Mems Christian associa-
tion of this city aud tho Woman's
Christian Temperance Union of this
city have held religious services at
the Jail on Sundays, and usually
once during the week. On such occasions
they have spent much time in religious con-
versation with the prisoners and in distribut-
ing among them tracts, magazines and other
reading matter of moral character, and
have evidently been instrumental in bring
ing many of the inmates to a determined
purpose Of leading better lives in the future.
A condition of good health has generally
prevailed among the prisoners. and but
one death has occurred. The Jail has, at all
times during the year, been kept in good
sanitary condition, and the prisoners we'll
supplied with good, substantial food. The
sick have been furnished such medicines and
deicacies as their condition demanded.
The slate roof over the central part of the
building is imperfect, and during long con-
tinued or severe storms it leaks badly, and
if not repaired will seriously damage the
main roof of the building. The valley gut
ters around the caves of the building were
overlaid with copper, and by the action of the
elements they have become broken and
separated. Unless remedied soon they will
cause much damage to the building.
The turret or cold-air duct on the north
wing of the building has been struck by
lightning on two occasions, and portion o
the stone masonry thrown from its place.
and another portion loosened and impaired
rendering it somewhat dilapidated. Repairs
are recommended which will require the ex.
penditure of about 81 500
All needed repairs on the buildings fur
naces, steam boilers heating apparatus, steam
pump &C.. have been made, the entire cost
having been $S5741, which was mostly for
materials, the labor have been performed by
the engineer, his assistants, and the carpenter
assisted by prison labor. The necessary paint
ing and glazing was done by the same parties
The cost of painting and glazing materials
was $lS4.67 The steam disinfecting box ant
It's attachments became worn and unfit fol
use and q new one with all necessary appli
ances and Of excellent quality, has been made
to take It's place, for which the sum of $102 u!
was expended.
The supreme court of the District of Colum
bia, through the honorable chief justice, ha
suggested that it has become desirable tha
the prisoners who have been tried and con
victed of crime and sentenced to serve tern
in Jail should be put to some kind of work, tt
such employment as would be remunera
tive to the government and ut the same
snNA has q h. - L II
and practices that a life of idleaess produces
BY a careful examination of the subject and
IN analysis of the commitments it has beer
lscertained that We have q daily average
lumber of prisoners over and above thOs,
required for the work connected with the
institution of at least 100 able bodied prison
,rs, who could be placed at labor If we bad
The proper facilities for carrying OH any kind
If work, or such business industry as would
se desirable, but l regret to state that W,
lave no such facilities in the Jail building OIL
otherwise, and no means provided for puttinl
chem at any employment whereby theIrlabol
,ouid be made profitable. deem it of para
mount Importance that provisions be mad,
for conducting some kind of work within tn,
Jail, or on the promises, whereby the prison
ers could be compelled to labor, and thus in
measure recompense the government for th
cost of their sustenance during the tern
of their imprisonment. They would b.
thus kept from ldlenesS and the licentiou
practices which brood among prisoners closel,
confined, with no legitimate employment t.
occupy their time or divert their minds. b
sides, hard labor in Jail would lessen it
attractions to a certain class of offenders, anC
render them more cautious about gettin
there. 1t would deter many from in
dulging in petty crimes, and Undue
them to seek some honorable employ
ment. A moral reformation among tn
prisoners would also be more readily secured
as it would afford greater facilities fo
reclaiming them and inspiring them wit
habits of industry The Jail premises com
prise several acres of ground, SO situated a
to afford ample space for all the workshop,
fixtures and appliances that would b
required for the purpose of giving employ
ment to all the prisoners we now hav
or will be likely to have for many years
come. But 1t is to be remarked, those work
shops would have TO be built and beside a
inclosing wall would have to be constructe
around the premises to afford PROTECTOR
Such wall is now needed to secure the prise
from the intrusion of evil disposed person
from without and to render the escape or out
breaks of prisoners, more difficult, also I
afford opportunities for giving the prisoner
wholesome exercise in the open air. and
prevent their associates from communication
with them for illegal purposes in a clandei
tine way. The premises are not in complet