Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-10-26
The 1ail at Woodstock. Va.

Mr.. G. S. Gufftb, president Of the
Maryland Prisoners Aid Association,
while attending the Potomac Synod of
the Reformed Church Of the United States,
in tins place a week or two since, paid a
visit to our jail Of which he speaks as
follows in the Baltimore 1mUicn:
While attending the meeting Of the
Potomac Synod of the Reformed Church
of the United States, at Woodstock. Va.
visited the county jail in company with
Rev. j. B. ShOntz, former agent OF the
MARYLAND Prisoners Aid Association. for
the purpose Of holding religious service
there. ! had previously visited the insti-
tuition during the week, when had ionnd
il in filthy, dirty condition. The JAN
building is old, diiapidated and unsafe as
prisoners frequently make their escape
IL ia said to have been built about one
hundred years ago, and il now entirely
unfit for the purpose, and shonld he re-
placed by one constructed on modern
plans. trust that the supervisors Of the
county will carefully consider this, ss u II
a matter Of great Importance.
The building on my first visit, including
the cells and yard, was in dirty condi-
ton, for which there was no excuse, as the
application of little soap, water and
time on the part Of the prisoners would
greatly add 10 the comfort and health OF
the prisoners and to the appearance Of
the building The yard in which the
prisoners exercise was especially offensive,
and enough to bring about typhoid or
malarial fever | spoke 10 the keeper
about the bad sanitary condition, which
was a disgrace to the county, and that
hoped things would be improved by sun
day, as we would like TO hold religious
service there. / am pleased to say that
when We reached there on Sunday gem
eral cleaning had taken place, lime had
been sprinkled around tho yard and the
condition of affairs was greatly improved.
We found there five prisoners. y fe"
days previous to our visit an insane man
had died there, after an Incarceration OF
four months. Indeed, 10 il not an uncom-
mon thing to find from one to three in
sane persons in the county jalls of this
state. A better provision should be made
for this unfortunate class, " no should be
sent to an asylum provided with the
necessary appliances for their care and
treatment
One Of the prisoners, burglar, who had
attempted to make his escape, had ball
aud chain to his leg, and was also chained
TO the floor OF his cell. Most of the prls-
oners were committed on serious charges
Some months previous to our visit, an
insane white woman had died IN the jail
after an Imprisonment Of from eight TO
ten months. She was great annoyance
to the prisoners, tearing up her clothing
aud everything that came within her
reach indeed, most Of the time abe was
exceedingly violent.
The bad sanitary condition of this jail
IL but a fair example Of many others IN
Virginia. The supervisors of tins county
should certainly give their attention 10
the bad management Of this jail, and, II
possible, new ore should he erected. Our
religious SERVICES were highly appreciated,
and we were told that II was the first
time these prison walls had rcsounded
with prayers aud praises. Tie prisoners
seemed deeply impressed and we trust
the earnest words spoken will awaken
them to thoughts OF a better life. We
furnished them with Gospel hymn books
and some good reading matter, and trust
that the pastors OF the town will look
after the spiritual interest OF those i'm
prisOned here who are certainly ~ bad
OF, if not worse, than heather.