New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-20
GooD woEA Foa WOMEN PRISONERS
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE N THE PAsT-HoPEs
AND PLANS FOR TIE FUTURE.

AND PLANS FOR TIE FUTURE.
The forty fifth annual report OF the Womens Prison
Association II New York, and the Isaac T. Hopper
Home has just been issued, and shows what vast
amount Of good be accomplished by such al
association properly conducted. Not alone docs the
association content itself with the practical work OF
rescung from disgrace and misery homeless women
in this city, but it is continually agitating for falrer
treatm nj and better quarters for the women taken 10
police stations and brought before police Justices
The efforts OF the association are not confined 10 the
prisoners of this city, for the condition OF female prs
oners in Raymond Street Jail. in Brooklyn has been
greatly amelioracd. The interests Of the association
have grown wonderfully since us mcOrPord'o" III
1915.
I nder the energetic leadership Of Mrs. James ,.
Gibbons first director, and Mrs. Frederick Billings
second director, the association has achieved good
work in bringing before the state Legislature the need
of reformatorics for women, and not satshed WIFI
what has been DONE what will be done Is now the IN
teresting question for the officers Of the association
and the following extract from the report for l5oo
will show what il is intended shall be accomplished :
Acain We call for a refornatory. bill was presented
to the Legislature Of last year 1t was wisely ana wen
considered and passed both senate ana Assembly WIN oe
dissenting voice.
We did not ask for prison, but for Institution In
which we could legally hold females from fifteen to thirty
years under such restraint as longer sentehces impose
giving an opportunity school instruction ana such en-
a would enable them, upon rtIcdScI W cdlh
livelihood
For the year ending october l. 233 women were
cared for in every way i'm the Isaac T. Hopper Home
at No. 10 -ccondave, only fifteen out Of seventy four
new patients having been born In the United states.
In commenting upon the work of the association
throughout the city generally, the report goes into
detail i'm relation 10 the treatment of women IN prison
and by police officers saying of the latter; Many oil
thc policemen are kindly disposed many are positively
brutal i'm their treatment of women The report
gives many individual Instances Of needless brutality
and severity on the part OF police ana prison
officials, and suggests remedies for those customs
which allow such Instances t. be possible The report
is cAha.syc on the subject of the condition sanitary
and Otherwise OF city prisons and commcuds the
Improvement I'm the majority, but speaking OF the
oo1d ton AZ The Essex Market Prison, the report says
We are sorry 20 report that f,~.N Malk't Ifl'on ~
uract,ally n the same OScrcroNd,d un~ahitar} cohd
Ton A. reported last The prison Ola uflf, ihu
uucd wit Ncruin. and requires rcntdrun< or tearing
down and an entire structure built Inc prison -
crowded aforementioned district m me cry
can 'nf done To improve the condition win tn' present.
sfr,ct,rr Every morning at last two huckettnl' OF
at.r ar. carried each cell by the N.iklng women
- les. dian ATTY hucActfIl, are used o. fu-h tho
clo.f. A. INF, only Dee done ono" In twenty-fOur
t,,,,. the cell, arc at all times naus'atlnS
I'M, association and Home j. Supported entirety hy
Voluntary contributions the financial report SHOWING
a balance ON hand ~ .oG7 30. Contributions viii be
acl.uo,ylodrcd hv Mr., Wilson VI Powell. treasurer OF
thr association If sent 10 ncr at 80 J-4 West Fifty
eighth