The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-18
HOPE OF A NEW JAIL.
THE REsOLUTION OFFERED BIZ Mr..
EPPS Is TAXING DEEP ROOT,
And IL will be Almost Certain TO Bring
Forth Fruit-Tbs Present Prison is
IN Miserable Condition.

Richmond has long been In need OF a
new Jail, and the demand for such an
institution now is imperative from both
an economic and Humanitarian stand
point.
The present institution IS badly located,
and its sanitary condition can hardly be
improved upon as al present constructed.
1t Is overcrowded. and the accommoda-
| lions are so poor that the prisoners can
not be properly cared for.
These are facts that are recognized
by the Council committee, the judge OF
the Hastings Court, the jail physician.
the taller and all who are acquainted
with the condition Of the institution.
The subject has been crying one for
a long time, and the evils which have
existed have grown with the growth OF
the city, until they are becoming 10 be
known as a crying shame.
The question Of a new jan mas from rom
time 20 time been discussed I'm the city
Council and members OF that body have
denounced the present jail as unht Tor
the purpose and a DISGRACE 10 Richmond.
but FOR the want OF means 10 erect new
one the matter rested in statu quo, while
the number Of prisoners IN each cell has
been increased from time 10 time. ana
the taller has made shift 10 find room
even for the fuel that Is used.
MLrTs WIN APPRECIATION.
The ordinance offered by Mr.. John r..
EppS az the meeting OF the common Couh-
eli Monday night, instructing the COM
mittee on Grounds and Buildings to sell
the Clarke Spring property, elther as
whole or by lots, the proceeds OF the
sale TO be used for the construction OF d
new city Jail, meets with the appreciation
OF all who are interested in the subject,
because il is a move looking towards some
actual EFFORT tor the proper care Oh the
prisoners Of the city.
Mr.. John r. Epps and Mt u. NJ. nope
compose the subcommittee in the cry
Council on the Jail. and Mr.. Noble con-
ours with Mr.. Epps in his views -.
asked 10 state the grounds on which he
offered the ordinance referred 10 above,
he said that as n member OF the sub
committee for years he was intimately
acquainted with the condition Of the Jail.
and that il was entirely inadequate for
the number OF prisoners confined there,
and that the discomfort, II not suffering,
Of ten prisoners in a cell, as they some
be permitted by the city.
He said the jail is not only over
crowded, but that IL is not susceptible OF
Improvement or enlargement and tns
only way 10 remedy the evil is 10 build
new jail.
The buildings now need constant re-
pair, and they are costly 70 the cry 70
maintain. A new roof has recently been |
placed on the jail, and other repairs are |
needed.
He thinks that the institution Is now |
kept in as good condition as the circum- |
stances will allow, but does not think II |
can be made to answer the demands daily |
made upon II.
NOT A SENTIMENT.
Mr.. Epps says ne does not lose any
sentiment over the care OF prisoners, and |
does not believe In being overly tender
OF their punishment, but he does not
think Richmond. as civilized commu-
nifty, can afford TO keep her prisoners as
she Is now doing. I
He drew a contrast between the way |
IN which Henrico county and Richmond |
cared for their prisoners. which was |
strongly detrimental 10 the city.
Mr.. Epps not only thinks Richmond !
should have larger accommodations for
Ter prisoners. but that some method /
should be adopted for their employment,
30 that they might not be dead OK
)ense TO the city.
The Spring lot, for the sale or which
Ir Epps' ordinance provides, contains
hirty-six acres Of ground, adjoining the
Did Reservoir and Hollywood cemetery
nd Is quite a valuable property.
Mr.. Epps says that an ordinance was
assed a long time ago for the sale OF
he property, and that as much as $500
Ias offered for It. He thinks now that