Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-04
A Woman's Jail and Refor,na.ory.

TO the Ia tor OF The evening STAR
In your issue OF Saturday find in Mr. perry's
report Of the jail investigation that he recon-
inends buildiEg q wing fc- the accommodation
Of female prisoners. That, in my opinion
would not remedy the evil. liz should be a
separate banding remote from the presen. jai
to be under the control and supervision Of
women. where female prisoners can be trained
10 habits OF Industry and Cleanliness and, If
possible. restored to positions OF usefulness
The present Jail never was intended for
Women In 1876 the act authorizing tile con-
ktruetlon of n Ill for the District reals: Il
jail of sufficient capacity to provide sor not less
than 800 pTisOners.' anu when We find bv tie
statistics from the reports of the metropolitan
police that within period of three years 72i
females have been committed TO the District
JAZZ Mr. Perry can well say more room Is
Needed and the quarters nov occupied by the
women are not fitted Tor their use"
II the report of Attorney General Garland in
I,o' he saws: Some provision should at once
be made by Congress Tor the erection OF an adj
ofi-onai wing at the jail. separate buiia-
Ing tOr the confinement SC .eiy of female rrls-
oHers. As at present arranged, this class of
conylcts are confined in the from. PORTION OF
the Jaii. which up 20 the present has been en-
tITeIy EEls Tor tAeir reception. The
absolute need OF an additional wing or building
For ~ iet1&le prlsouers viii surety, on inyes-
r-SatIJl. commend Itself to Congress-
The iEte Gen CrOcAer. then warden Of the
jail in his report Of the same year ssys.
There - IN CA ing want III this District re
iofbisteTS or lhstIotlo: where femalssof every
grade could be Iacarcerated Under copdi.iors
suited 10 their seX, free from the prese, go -.
male prisoners. properly class fed and srb
1eeted 70 such management and rcforrr to-
measures as wnui3 apply 10 their conc itio1
where their uIudS could be forcib,v i.uu~essej
with correct thoughts and inolEed a!on, Tie
ways 20 complete restoration 20 friends-sayed
RON q career Of vice and crime and entered
urOn the paths OF virtue and usefulness Sucb
q desirable result cannot SO well be accom-
fhshed IN a common jail, where prisontrs OF
bo'h sexes and Criminals Of every grade are
incareerated
''itoften happens that yorrg girls and women.
vic. tor the brst time. have been charge, 81 N
son4e onehss. are committed TO jail, where they
en,er WITH rneir minds flied with horror AZ the
idea OF being imprisoned. Now. il such per
sons cCG!d be taken In the frs. instance To a
proper female rcforuatory they could easily
by saved :rou, falling lower in tie criminal
scale, and finally be restored 10 their n r,ner
Condition In tisir families
he I2.i et present 0s5I) does net afford
room Tor the proper accommodation of nlsra
Than thirty two females. and yet the ruIaber
here ~ Often greatly IN excess o: that and grad
uaily increasing from yeGr 10 wear. rendering
cVercrowdlng OF their apartments necessary
1hls excess OF numbers Is o. itself a sufficient
reason for providing for them more ample az
Comm 1catlOns."
- 81 .i.sSt ftcN Win VIC general lust DrC-
sloas 20 his death he said lie would 30 eyery-
thins Ae could for the passage OF tn. BIZ, as
such an institution was very much needed. and
.nA' u was not at bEs: intended 10 commit
females. but vas bull, for males. and the largc
increase IN our population year by year peccs-
ei's,e .arEee AID better accommodations
blA providing for the construction OF a iail
s'iu reIorfaato-y Ter women was presented 10
both houses Of Congress during the Last session
anu p nuoas have been and are now being cir
eaIa'ei asking for the passage o: this Bill
HAVING Tor seven years beea a regular visitor
a: re jail, holding devotional exercises and
aisirlDusn5 appropriate literature to the in
.aaies, have had an opportunity Of judging of
tae need OF such an Institution, and call On
AL good citizens TO enroll their Games or t,,is
petition AID help in every way they can fer tie
passage OF the biii.
shall Confidently rely roon THg STAB TO
Assist In promoting this reform.
Ars- H. h. i.1SDa:cxsoS,
Supt Of Prison and Jau wo-k, W. G. Il. U,
lsS1rsct Of Columbia.