Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-04
The jail.

OF. fAUL, Oct. d, 1000.
To the District court, Ramsey County,
Minnesota:
The committee of examination of the
jail respectfully submit the following:
The building undergoing repairs of
course presents a confused appearance.
The necessities for new Jail of larger
Dimensions, containing greater and more
conveniences, is imperative, and we cannot
urga too strongly that immediate steps be
taken for new structure, of sufficient
size, and containing suitable conveniences.
to better accommodate the numbers which
are increasing in proportion to the growth
of the city and county at large.
Pending the Inauguration of the same
we recommend as follows,
First Your committee having thor
oughly examined the premises, and find
ing no available room for the accommoda-
ton Of sick inmates, Immediate steps
should be taken for the procurement OF
structure of building of sufficient size to
accommodate the necessities of the case
for sick inmates, until the new jail shall
be erected.
At present the system seems to be that
when prisoners get sick, to remove them
to the city hospital, and when they are SO
transferred they cease to be under the sur
veillance or jurisdiction OF the sheriff, and
are liable to escape. This is an evil which
should be remedied at once.
Second.-The cells in the Jail are insuffic-
lent to accommodate the number of pris-
oners at present, without putting two or
more prisoners in each cell. AS the num-
bers are liable to increase this more for
chilly illustrates the necessity for new and
larger jail.
Third.-A separate ward should be set
apart for the accommodation of female
prisoners, owing to lack of cells this can
not be done. In our judgment it does not
seem proper that male and female prison
ers should be placed IN the same ward for
reasons which are obvious to all.
Fourth.-We recommend the immediate
fitting up of number of cells to be desig-
mated as dungeons" for the confinement
of insubordinates. On examination we
find that from four to six cells can be fitted
up at small expense in the basement, which
is not now in use.
Fifth-In consequence of the building
not being fire proof, it seems highly i'm
portant that some arrangement should be
made, whereby the doors of each ward at
least, shall be unlocked at olce, through
same automatic process in order to save
time which must necessarily be taken in
unlocking individual cells by the turnkey,
in case of fire.
Sixth-We recommend the purchase of
two new, large size refrigerators, for use
in the culinary department. At present
simply musty old box is being used for
he ice and other articles. Of food, which
mould be preserved and kept clean and
!; esh.
Seventh. Believing that one turnkey is
sufficient to perform the duties necessa-
r;Iy deVolving upon the attendance Of SC
large number of prisoners, for night
duty, and the numbers seem to be consid
erebly increasing, we recommend that an
additional turnkey be employed immedi-
ately. The Jail also needs this additiona
man Ut the better care and protection OF
the inmates.
S ar as we we were able to discern, the
oleG illness and manner of conducting the
internal arrangements could not be criti-
cised, and the Jail seems to be conducted
properly and as well as could be expected
with the facilities at hand.
6. K. BARNES,
Chairman of Committee.