Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-09
THE COUNTY JAIL.


grand jury: The committee appointed by
you to examine the county Jail and city
hall, would respectfully report as follows:
We find the county Jail in very bad
and unsafe condition, but we learn that an
appropriation has been made and contract
let to extensively improve and repair the
same. We regret the limitations imposed by
recent legislation fixing the number of
turkeys, watchmen and janitors, allowed
the sheriff for the safe keeping and disci-
pline of the prisoners confined in the
county Jail, and think the same in
adequate, and we earnestly recommend
that such temporary Improvements and
facilities be made and furnished by the
county commissioners as may be neces-
sary for the proper safe keeping and dis
cipline of the prisoners confined in the
jail, and if found consistent with law that
the board of county commissioners allow
the sheriff additional help. We deem it
unsafe for one turnkey to enter the depart
ment where the cells are without a guard
at the gate entering there. We find that
the recent outbreak of prisoners &C.
Cured in this way. Three pris-
oners confined in a cell had pried
their cell door open, the iron holding
the bolt having been nearly sawed off be-
fore, being forced open then by making a
disturbance which caused the turnkey to
enter the cell department, bounced upon
him, slugged him, and bound and gagged
him, taking the keys from him and liberia
ting the other prisoners.
We also think the salary allowed turn
keys and watchmen is too small, they being
allowed only $50 per month. We are also
informed that the barn which the former
sheriffs have used has been sold and is to
be moved off to make room for an addi-
ton to the new court house thereby
depriving the sheriff of barn,
which we think very necessary
to aid him in the discharge of his duties
We find the city Jail in good order con =
sidering the small space it occupies bu t
learn that an appropriation has bee n
made and contract let to enlarge the sam g.
G. A. LANPHER,
S. MCCONNELL,
VIM. l.. PERKINS,
7. B. CAMPBELL.
THE WoRKEoUsE.
To the foreman of the grand jury of Ram
sey county:
Your committee appointed to investigate
the workhouse and poor farm herewith
submit the following report:
1u0 WOrhuOuS0 Wdo N1olISO OA SATURDAY,
May 8, and found to be in very satisfac-
tory condition. The cells, and in fact,
everything in and about the building is
well cared for, and perfectly clean. The
fare, according to the statement of num-
Der of prisoners, is always we'll cooked,
substantial and in every respect satisfac-
tory. The treatment of the prison
ers, according to their own state
ment leaves no room for complaint.
The committee recommend that
the ceiling Tin the main corridor and also
in the basement,) should be covered with
some suitable fire proof material. We
would also recommend that the barrel of
kerosene oil should not be kept in the
basement of the main building, but should
be removed to some other place.
The committee has also visited the poor
farm and although we cannot make any
special complaint in regard. to the manage
ment of this institution, we would make
the following recommendations: The
building should be put in better repair.
A more thorough system of supervision
over the inmates should be estab-
lished. The bed rooms should be less
crowded. One room should be used as a
sick room or hospital ward. More atten-
tion should be paid to the cleanliness OF