The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-01-22
STATE REFORM SCHOOL
Some Facts and Figures Gath
cred From Its Annual
Report.
Snecial to the .Jersen City Ne,rs.

TRENTON, Jan. %, 1S95.-In the report
of the New Jersey State Reform School
for the past year, just received, some
interesting information is given in regard
to the care of the Juvenile delinquents
Of the State. Superintendent Otterson,
in his report, makes a number of recon-
~mcndaticns in regard to improvements
about the buildings, and also on the in
been kept engaged.
He also treats of changes which his
observations lead him to believe would
bring better results in reforming the
boys. He speaks as follows of the prac-
tiee of some Judges in allowing them
to stay in jail for some time before nav
ing them forwarded
sUPERINTENDENT's REPORT.
Ihave before called YOU attention to
the length of time boys have been con-
fined in Jail previous to being sent to
this Institution. / at this time ask II II
is fair or just to the boys, or to US, 10
expect that after such a length of time
spent In Jail they viii yield readily to
the influences which we endeavor to sur
round them with while here? 1t has al
WAYS been my desire to have boys I'M
pressed with a dread of going to jail,
and feel that there is a shame and deg
radiation attached to 1t; only by such rear
might some of them be kept from doing
that which would lead them to conhne-
ment therein. Many boys who nave
been for a definite time confined in jail,
with its surrounding influences, express
a. preference to be returned to jail for a
definite period rather than to be Kept
in the Reform School for an indefinite
period, where their release and liberty
would Depend upon their conduct.
EFFECT OF BAD TIMES.
The Superintendent also says
The business depression of the last two
years has had its effect on our paroiea
boys. The increased amount of vagrancy
and tramping of able-bodied men ana
boys has had it's influence upon the class
with which we have to deal, potn oefore
coming to Us and after going from US.
We deplore the present effect n rear
that IN the future it will be still worse,
unless stringent measures are USED IN
dealing with ramps as a class. Inc
number who continually float from one
part of our country to another, stealing
rides on freight and coal trains, Is SIM
ply We think the railroao
companies and courts combir1ng thelr
efforts could greatly lessen rhe lumber
When we consider the depressed cond.-
ton of business, making DIT often dlft1-
cult for boys to secure or retain work
ard oftener making it an excuse for them
to leave their places, we believe our
paroled boys. while not Going as well as
we should Ike to have them DC, have
dome about as well as in former years.
Although the result of our work has no
met our desires we have much to en-
courage us, for which we are truly
thankful.
Last year ia boys were admitted. Of
which only one came from this county.
A number of tables are given, showing
all the important statistical matters re
lating to the boys. Two Of the boys
were only mine years old when commit
ted, could not read when they
entered. Those who were released dur
ing the wear numbered 165, of which Sc
were released on their own recognizance;
81 were indentured, 10 escaped, two were
discharged because q years old, one
was returned 10 court and two died.
HOME INFLUENCE.
The following. shows their home influ3