Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-11
OUR LOCAL AFFAIRS.
CONDITION or THE CITY JAIL.
Report OF the Commissioners as to the cRar-
frrs of the EeInales. the Food. &c, &c.

Report OF the Commissioners as 70 the Cnar'
ters OF the Females, the Food, &e., &c.
Dr. Charles S. Mills and Messrs. George
\. Iundlcy and Thomas Potts, the com
missoners appointed by Judge Atkins 70
inspect the jai Of this city. have made
their report, which will be duly certified to
the City Council.
They call "attention 10 the peculiarly cx-
posed condition OF TIE female prisoners
confined in tie upper story OF the Jail.
These unfortunate women are so cut Offrom
external communication and so secluded bot
we fear many OF them might be lost
In case Of Gre before they could be rescued,
as water. under the existing arrangement,
can Only be conveyed from the tire-plug
outside Of the Jail enclosure. We would
suggest that iire-plug be erected IN that
portion Of the building, and the water con-
Quoted there in pipes properly secured
against freezing, and the requisite hose
supplied and kept ready for instant Use at
all times"
The commissioners recommend that the
ward be better lighted and that there be an
Improvement OF the heating apparatus.
"Somo apprehension is felt in regard to
the condition OF the eastern extremity OF
the outer wall on the north side, which Tor
several feet above its base Is so thoroughly
saturated with moisture a. TO threaten its
security. This wall is some forty or fifty
feet high-rcacblng nearly to the roof Of
the iail-and its fall would be attended with
serious disaster. We are not qualified to
saw that any such dangor really exists, but
our attention having ben called to it, we
think IL worthy Of examination.
Nf L. 30 oh % ron
we found the Jail throughout kept in On
orderly and satisfactory condition. all ITS
apartfncnts thoroughly clean and neat, and
tie walls IIme-washcd, rs required 10y law.
The inspection OF the stores intended as
food for the prisoners did not afford the
same satisfaction. Some Of them were adj
Judged by lis very inferior in quality, and
the herrings on hand not altogether sound.
We so stated to the jailer, who promised
10 substitute better. Fresh meat is furnish
ed three times a week. but it seems that
they receive neither wheat-bread nor Sue
culent vegetables, which. though grateful
change, IT is thought might render them
more liable 20 bodily arrangements. Some
little variety occasionally would not be
amisS.
"The law evidently cOntemplates a sepl-
rate confinement Of 'conyic,s aud those
not conyicts.' Here no such sCparltion
exists, no discrimination being made be-
tween those who bavc been tried and found
guilty and those who are awaiting trial.
Evidently it is not right TO subject 10 the
same treatment those imprisoned on mere
suspicion, whom the law prcsume' to be
innocent. ana those who have been tried
and found guilty, and yet i'm this jail We
do not think it possible to carry out the re-
quIemonts Of the law in thi. respect. We,
therefore. simply report the fact TO your
Honor without presuming TO suggest any
remedy. as we do not think it practicable
in this building without such complete re-
modelling Of il as would be almo.t tanta-
mount 10 building a new one"
The commissioners say they found in the
Jail on the day Of their visit 1872 prisoners,
OF whom q are white and l0S colored-23
white males. one white female; 7G colored
males ard 81 colOred females.
They think, for reasons stated at length,
that at would he advisable, in the eXcr-
else OF wise foresight. for the city Of
Richmond to make arrangements for the
erection Of such prison a. III every re.
spcct will conform to the requirements Of
law and present enlightenment