The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-04
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
How the Courts ignore tle Pro-
visions of the Law.
Paupers and Criminals Use the Institution as
Place CT Refuge Prisoners Who Ap-
pear Time and Again Of Record.

EXrert Cyril Williams yesterday SUBJ
mitted a report to the Board Of Supervisors
regarding certain investigations made by
him at the House Of Correction.
The expert who was directed to investigate
the condition of the house, declares that
1t Is not being conducted in the way in
which the law directs, but has become a
heavy burden to the taxpayer. 1t is in no
sense of the word a House of Correction,
or reformatory. as the law creating the in
stltutlon directs, but q combination OF
County Jail, State Prison and Almshouse.
The law provides that no prisoner shall
be sent to the house who is over 25 years
of age, unless in the opinion of the court it
is for the best interest of the prisoner and
the people that lie should be sent there :;
and again it is provided that in no case
whatever shall sentence to the house be
for less than three months.
NO FELONs SHOULD BE SENT THERE.
The law also provides that no person shall
be sentenced to Imprisonment in the House
of Correction if lie has been once before
convicted of felony or twice before con-
vlcted OF petty larceny, unless in the opin-
ion of the Court imprisonment in the House
OF Correction will be more for his interest
than in the State Prison, and equally
for the interest of the public. The ex-
EclI suDultS Il llSL Vi peTSoUS committed 10
the House of Correction. from January 1st
to August j., 1891. with those on hand on
January /, 1891, with dates of commitment,
ages, crimes. terms of Imprisonment and by
whom sentenced.
There were on hand on January 1, 1891,
364; received since to August ], 1891. 74S;
total, 1112; committed for felonies, 1872; for
mlSdemeanors, $50. As regards these the
expert also made inquiries as tn the terms
OF Imprisonment. condition of the inmates
and as TO whether some of them should not
be IN other public Institutions.
OF the miSdemeanor cases, numbering $780,
from the Police courts, 4S6 were for
shorter term than three months, contrary to
law. OF the felony cases eleven We're over
% years of age, OF the $50 Police-court
under the law, should never have been sent
10 the house.
RECORDS OF THE PRISONERS.
The record of the prisoner is not sent TO
the House of Correction, but he is always
questioned on his arrival, and no reliance
can be placed on his answer. OF the many
Questioned by the expert only two acknowl-
edge having oeen in the States Prison The
expert could not tell how many had pre-
yionsly been in the States Prison.
He also found number of cripples and
delapidated wrecks in the house who
should be in the Almshouse. These num-
Der about fOrty-fye. AS soon as they are
out of Jail they commit some petty oifenSe in
order to be sent back.
The report submitted that the Superin-
tendent complains that numbers of persons
are sent to the house simply to be cured of
the opium habit, and they are brought there
sometimes when absolutely unable to stand
This is difficult matter to remedy, as they
plead guilty TO charges that will bring them
TO the mouse.
In order to demonstrate that the place is
not being conducted as a House OF CorTec-
ton, the report shows that contrary to law
the greater number Of inmates are over 80
years OF age, rather late period TO begin
reformation. One inmate named Anne
Barry Is 50 years of age aud is serving her
seventh term for drunkenness.
TIE HOUSE Is THEIR HOME.
Jake Fisher, age &C. has been sentenced to
the house 50 times. He was last committed
for drunkenness. Anne Suge has served 80
terms, Fred Williams 50, j. Carroll 46, Julia
Udell 81, Nellie Bernard TO- and Maggie
Harrison Is terms. All these prisoners are
over 90 years Of age, and as soon as released
become drunk in order to find a place to
sleep ami food 10 eat at the public expense.
The experts report concludes by showing
that zoe cents day each for board, lodging
and clothing is very reasonable price.
The Supervisors contend that majority
of the prisoners belong in other Institutions,
many IN the States Prison. and viii make an
effort that the courts more vigorously enforce
the plain letter OF the law.