Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-08
JAlLS IN VIRGINIA.
MIR. Grlslth Not Favorably Impressed
With Those Ec Saw.


baltimore American)
Mr.. Goldsborough S. Griffith, president
Of the Maryland Prisoners Aid Society,
has returned from a visit to jails at Nor
folk, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Newport
News, Va. OF the Norfolk jail he says:
Il found about 100 inmates: the usual
average is from 10J to 120. Among the
prisoners were eight to ten children from
to 10 years Of age. Thirty Of the prison
ers were under sentences of from thirty
days to twelve months 1t is surprising
that there are so many prisoners in this
Jail in a city OF little over 10000 inhabi-
tants, but when we consider that there
are 30 licensed drinking saloons and no
reformatory means used during imprison-
ment, we cannot wonder. The building Is
very old and dilapldated, built about 70
years ago. The cells are dark and
gloomy. with no proper ventilation. There
are no means used 10 properly classify
the grades Of criminals This building Is
a disgrace to this important commercial
city, and / was certainly surprised 10
find such an apology for a Jail in this
enlightened age.
The Norfolk county jail, at Portsmouth,
at the time of my visit, had 80 inmates,
Z of whom were women. These prisoners
were herded together in a few dark and
filthy cells, one cell having and another
II occupants. The dark walls and bed
ding. they say, are full Of vermin. The
stencil was revolving to ones senses. The
prisoners We're mostly imprisoned for
petty offences. / am glad TO say that the
county and the city of Portsmouth have
recently completed a new jail for each,
the buildings join each other; they are
however, badly constructed. with nc
means Of classifying the inmates. The
county Jail is very inadequate. as the
prisoners win be crowded together In
iron cages In most disgraceful manner.
The city jail is rather better.
The Elizabeth county Jail, at Hampton.
Va, is a small brick building. in the
rear of the courthouse. This Jail has
iron cages. The sanitary condition was
shockingly bad and the prisoners filthy,
the stencil from the cells almost unbear-
able
The Warwick county Jail, at Newport
News, Va, is in the rear basement OF
the courthouse, which is a very neat
building, recently built. This was a great
blunder, but was evidently done 10 save
money. / found lG prisoners, 10 men AND
8 women. 1ney nave TWO hpdi tAitHeS' osAN
for men and the other for women Inc
space allotted TO the men Is TOO small
as the sheriff told me that he mad han
ss many as II prisoners at one time, and
had been compelled to put some OF the
men In the female apartment. The cens
and corridors become very foul, ana IL
would be impossible for prisoner 10 I'VE
long in such a place; in the winter espe-
ciallv. when the furnaces are used, THIS
inpure air Is carried through the nues
10 the courtroom and offices above, Whcf
"a very offensive and unhealthy. IL Is
Cruel and inhuman 10 imprison human
beings in such place, some OF whon
NAV be found innocent. They nave INTRO
duced a feature Of punishment here which
is a relic OF the dark ages, in the snap.
Of two sweating boxes. about seven iee'
high and two and a half feet In diameter
win auger holes in the top. asked tnt
sheriff how long a man couin hse ~
one Of these. He said he did not Know
that he had had occasion TO use then
only twice, and did not keep the prison
ers In them long.
In my visits in the South l nave loun.
the preyaillng idea seems TO be ON,
punishment for crime. without any re
gard 10 the reformation or criniihais
which Is so important for the saiety o.
life and property. not to speak OF 'n'
duty of helping the weak ana iaiieh
change their ways.