The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-13
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
The Jail Found To BE VermiDous and Over
neutrality-suspicious. Regarding
WOrk-House.

The grand jury presented their report in the
Criminal Court yesterday. During their ten
days session 249 witnesses have been examined,
nine prisoners have been discharged from jail,
four cases dismissed and five continued. The
following indictments have been found: Grand
larceny, 4; grand larceny and receiving stolen
goods, l; burglary, petty larceny aud receiving
stolen goods, /; petty larceny, 4; petty larceny
and receiving stolen goods, 2; larceny and embez-
Element, l; assault and battery, .; assault with
intent to kill. q selling diseased meats, l; sell
ing liquor on Sunday, 81 selling liquor to minor,
l; selling liquour without license, L. On Tues
day the grand jury visited the county jail. Dur
ing the term just closing the report says the
grand jury has made certain recommendations
for the lettering of its condition, and the
county commissioners have carried out the sug-
gestions to the best advantage under the clrcum-
stances; but 1--WE have some further recon-
mendations which we now make in this, our
last report, and also most respectfully submit to
the incoming grand jury, and most urgently
ask that they push the matter until the county
commissioners will see that they are warranted
in carrying out our ideas, viz We recommend
that as soon practicable steps be taken looking
towards the building of new Jail, with a work
house attachment, and that arrangements be
maze TO nave plans submitted for such buildings
without delay. There is a necessity for this far
beyond the comprehension of the general public
who pass by the jail from day to day and never
see the inside aud cannot fully understand IL I'M
less they visit ii from month to month as we
have done.
I'VE find there to-day confined in the city prison
department. nlnety-six men ami boys, white and
black, OF all grades, and so thickly is the small
space packed that is was almost impossible to
crowd our way through. In the female depart
nIent OF this part of the jail we found fifteen
women young and old, criminals and small
offenders, prisoners, thrown tO9etherin two low,
dismal rooms about 10XzJ feet, with the water
closets i'll the center and the beds
touching the same. The sanitary necessities
OF both these departments are inadequate and
poorly constructed In the old Jail we found
tfty-s prisoners, this number packing it to
its utmost capacity. Under all these eircum-
stances We found every hing as clean it was
possible to expect IL We believe the sheriff is
doing his best, both m feeding his hoarders and
keeping things clean, but it is impossible for him
TO keep the bedding or prisoners free from YER
MN. every corner Ill the prison being alive with
them, under the present circumstances. There
Is one thing that can and should be done at once
to help the matter, without waiting fer
jury. That is "A bathroom where every prisoner
should be esiken and thoroughly renovated be-
fore gong into jail. The expense OF washing
tcks-tbed ticking is probably meant-Reporter]
and changing straw, as at present, far exceeds
the cost of such an attachment" The report is
signed by James Swain, foreman.