The morning call., 1894-09-09
PRISON CRUSADE.
go.
Practical Suggestions for
the Police.
=.
determined Stand Made by an AS
sociation to Better the Condi-
tion of the JaiIs.
- The following open letter ha. been sem
TO the police authorities in this city:

An0 AVlIo"ius open letter has been sem
to the police authorities in this city.
SAN FRANCISCO CAL, Sent. 2 1904
TO The Hon. L. Crowley Chief nj poi,ca "a
The Honorable City Hall Commissioners and
the honorable Mayor and Board of Supervisors
oi the CUy and County of San Francisco
GENTLEMEN: The Union for PraeticaI Pro0
TeSS has taken the subject OF Prison Reform
I'D many large cities In the United States during
tne mouth OF August Just passed, In harmony
with enorts elsewhere and simuIlaneous!v The
orSanlzaton here in San Francisco mas begun
its WORK upon tins subject. We hope and be-
ttese tnaI Dy giving publicity to material de-
lects In prison conditions public interest
VIII De aroused TO demand a strict obseryance
y. Such ordinances as are now neglected or
Hlolateu, anu 10 secure such changes and i'm
pIopements as Will make the criminals better
CllizenS when they come out OF prison than they
go Mnen thsy were forced TO enter. If the
couuitlOns ana management do not improve the
criminal. but on the contrary debase nm or
her, the conditions and manag cement are wrong
ano should be corrected as soon as possible
Ihat society may be relieved as much as DOS
Sloie from the stigma OF being a promoter OF
crime. Moreover, the immense tax upon the
resources OF those who are disposed to 90 what
Is Tlght and who do obey the law has become so
great that they begin 10 take an interest In such
matters 10 order 10 be relieved as much as pos
6lDle from the heavy taxation made necessary
O. Dy the many prisons ana prisoners.
Society," therefore,, and the Union for Prac-
teal Progress ln particular, asks your aid and
cooperation In an effort 10 make The conditions
and tTea ment of criminals anc prisoners such
as TO tend TO improve them. and to remove all
oneTs. or which lead them TO lose Self-respect
and all appreciation for organized society or
government.
To TINS end we call your attention TO the fol-
lowing facts:
First-The law requires Ordinance 1903. sec
tions Is. I4), that all arrests shall be entered
upon the register or by police ofcer or
person connected with the Police Department
making the arrest ana that anv reguest made bv
the prisoner that attorney designated shall be
notlned must be complied with once also thar
police oficers shall not solicit business for nv
OF hAo orItr
ance referred TO makes it an offense punishable
by fine or impris onmenU both for an Oficer or
any one connected with the department to neglect
or violate this ordinance.
This Union Tor Practical Progress recognizes
the Dropriety and justice of these provisions
and has been advised that they have been dis
regarded 10 some extent. We wish to give due
notice that infractions of these provisions will
receive the attention OF our society and that
any material violations in the future will be
made the subject of our action.
=. We call your attention to the subject of ven
tation and particularly to the very poor ventila-
rion of the wOmen's ward. This is liable to breed
disease and TO make those subject to such condi-
tons charge upon the community for all time If
their health is ruined by disease contracted in
badly ventilated cells
informed that the seepage from The closets often
runs out upon the floor OF the cells. In the inter
est OF the public health and decency this defect
should be remedied at the earliest possible date.
4 The prisoners are now required to remain in
their cells aud wards while the flushing is done.
They only step upon the bench during the
flushing and remain in the damp wet cell until it
humanity and good health they should be trans
ferred TO other cells during the flushing
.. The people who are retained a witnesses are
required 10 suoinlI TO contact with environments
and persons who are filthy and alive with vermin
We REQUEST that this matter be looked into and
lhat separate ward be used for those who
thus held as witnesses; and
g. The question of vermin IS OF extreme import
ahce and III TINS respect and cleanliness we ind
San FranciscO's jan not on q par with those of
other cities. near neighbor for instance, OAK
laho IS q superior example. We wish to keep in
nina all through this work aim. namely, the
elevation (instead OF the degradati0n) of all
classes; and with this purpose we ask that your
honorable body and the ChIef of Police provide
Tor the fumlsatlon OF the blankets a week
instead OF once month: that the prisoners be
roquired 20 battle aud have their clothes fumf-
who prefer cieanly conditions.
We trust that ibe question of prison reform
(Which means the Improvement OF the crImnaD
has suu1cient importance TO the officials init
mdtey connected with our jails to induce them
JO-Sse that all who wish TO or viii be cleanlv
may be requested ana have facilities 10 hathe
npOn entering the jail and their clothing fumi-
gated II necessary; but il they prefer filthy
conditions and will not baIhe that they may be
clean.
We keep IN mind also that large number of
those who are jailed are finally discharged as
innocent OF crime. Surely IL is to the Interest
OF our State and cliy to subject 10 innocent
person 10 degrading conditions; and lt Is lust
as important that the guilty shall NOT be con
filmed or forced INTO conditions that will make
them In their futufe careers still more hardened
in crime
we SHOHlJ lueS6 suggestions now, and Will
from time 10 time hope to secure your CO.
operation and aid in carrying ont these and
other material and necessary reforms.
We have already addressed you I'm former
communication upon the subject OF the separa. !
lion OF juveniles who found out on the
street at night from contact with the Grimm n /
class OF inmates, and glad TO lea rn that that
communication meets with your official favor
able consideration; and trust that the con- !
tents OF This letter may also receive your favor
able attention.
We have the honor to be yours, very respect
fully.
John NJ. Reynolds NJ. NJ. Foote Mrs A Y. |
Healey, Mrs. }. ". Orr, Mrs. DR. Z. Sage. Com |
miitee on Prison Reform of the Union for !
Practical Progress.