Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-09
THE WASHINGTON AsrLuu.

Rev. Mr.. rs~on Reports the Resum 81 me-
Exa~insssse 90 the oemms.ssen~v~.
Rev. W. 4. Par~on. chairman Of the board
Of visitorv Of the Washington Asylum visited
that Institution yesterday and today made the
following report upon the condition Of the
work house:
NOT ovERckovpEp.
made q visit yesterday 20 the Washington
Asylum and investigated the condition Of the
institution with special reference 10 the re-
ported overcrowded state % the buildings I
found the reports much exaggerated. The
female work house had in it 100 prisoners.
There were fifty cells without occupants. IL IL
not unusual 90 accommodate one hundred pri--
oners In the old female work house alone The
addition Of the new buildings. which have been
opened during the last few months, give annie
accommodation for all Of this class. The only
criticism have 20 make IL upon the insufficient
force In the building 10 look after these pri--
oners, 10 keep them properly employed aud 10
maintain proper discipline.
In the male work house there Is more ground
Tor complaint But this 10 an old and CRYING evil
and cannot be remedied until Congress make-
other provision for a large additional building
Under the present system the men are occupy
Ing rooms. eight ten aud a. many "A. sixteen In
single room. The plan adopted IN the new
female work house shoald he introduced in the
new building that must soon be erected for the
male prisoners.
fMPLoiiSG ooSvicrs on rHE srRNEr
In regard to another point 10 which atten-
lion has been called In the public print. namely.
the emp 'oyment Of the work house prisoners on
public works, would beg TO say that the COM
plant docs not seem 10 be We'll grounded The
only ming hat might be suggested ss an inn
ptosement on the present order of things IL 20
employ the prisoners only In the suburbs. n, ont
oi-the-~aF places. There is an objection 20
having these mea moving about in the crowded
nArtS OF tho CITY. II such distinction could
ye MADE ana the superintendent % the asylum
directed 10 eonfne his employment of the men
10 more distant parts of the city one objection
would he removed
As 20 the men being compelled 20 wear
striped uniforms this H. In accordance with an
ehsuhg Jaw 1 have In previous report rec
oamended that some other suit be adopted for
The male work house prisoners The women
wear lam blue. Ii 10 evident that the eArb
must he such IS to distinguish the men ON the
streets and prevent easy escape from the gangs.
put II heed not he the regulation criminal uni
form.
THE PRISON VAN.
One abuse that should be corrected in tho in
i-terests OF common decency Is found in counec-
ton with the prison van, carrying prisoners
from the Police Cour; and city hall 20 the ,.l
and work house. The prisoners are carried in
discriminAcly men. women and children in the
dark. close locked prison van. Into this ho,
box are crowded girls who are taken 20 the iail
simply Tor detention. who may he cleared the
following day. On nv visit yesterday -aw the
van discharge Its lead twice, both times
I women coming out with the men, handcuffed
one woman with a child six months old in her
arms. The number 81 prisoners daily trans
ferred to these Institutions such as 90 Justify
two separate conveyHnces, because the van
almost always is required 60 make more than
one trip IN order 10 carry out its daily contin-
gent. would recommend that step be taken
TO correct this abuse.
In general | found the institution In good
order and the hospitals and kitchens clean aud
neat.