The evening times., 1896-07-27
DEFECT IN THEJlIL SYSTEM.
Expert Inspects Penal and
Reformatory Institutions.
PRISONERS LIvEINIDLENEs
Compelled to Spend Their Time Doing
Nothing, and This Is Harmful.
Pleased With All Else He Saw-A
Visit to the WOrkhouse and Aims
>house-where Aid Is Needed.

An interesting report on the District jail
has been made by Mr.. Goldsbcrough 8.
Griffith, president of the Maryland Prison
ers' Aid Association, who lately made
thorough personal examination Of the penal
and reformatory institutions here. 1t is
as follows:
II visited the United States jail, work
house ard almshouse, all situated on Nine
teenth street, near street, Washington.
was cordially received at the Jail by Mr..
John r. Leonard, the warden, and Capt
Charles L. Bowie, and given every facility
to thoroughly examine the different de.
partments.
II found verything in a most excellent
sanitary condition. Tie female depart
ment Is entirely separated from that OF the
males, and is under the charge OF Miss
Marshall. This department was also clean
and well managed.
aTihs Jail is built In circular form, with
a fine large rotunda in tile center, lighted
by skyiights. The corridors containing cells
diverge in different directions from this
rOtunda, presenting a bright and attract
i've appearance. THIS is, indeed, model
prison, and impressed me with being the
!
try or Europe.
"The ventilation is perfect, the flues be-
ing so arranged that an even temperature
prevails over the entire building.
ACOUSTICS ARE PERFECT.
There is no regular chapel in which
the prisoners congregate; but the acous-
tics are SO perfect that a minister preach
ing from the platform in the rotunda can
be distinctly heard throughout the entire
building Regular Sunday services are
conducted by the Catholics and Protest
ants: there is preaching also by coiorcd
minister. -
There were two hundred and fifty
male and thirty female prisoners-one
sentenced to be executed November 20
next; five serving terms for murder; thirty
five for larceny; nine waiting trial, and
tile remainder for petty charges. The
terms of sentences in this Jail a re five days
to five years. Only one-cighth OF the
prisoners are white This Jail mas no
workshops, and prisoners sentenced for
long terms are compelled to spend their
time in idlencss. This is very serious
defect in this otherwise model institution.
Every long term prisoner should do some
thing toward his support, as labor is one
OF the conditions of OR existence; idle
ness unfits a prisoner to become useful
citizen when discharged. Some branch of
Industry introduced in this prison would
not only be of benefit to the prisoner, but
an advantage to the government.
II found fifteen prisoners waiting to be
sent to the Albany penitentiary, as the
government has no pententlary under its
control. AS member of committee OF
the National Prison Congress, have urged
that this should be corrected.
THE WORKHoUSE.
"The District workbouse contained -155
inmates, go OF these females. At times
there are as many as 800 inmates. The
female apartment is in a separate build
ing, short distance from that of the
male prisoners. From what l saw, the
workhouse is under good management,
and is truly n house where the prison.
ers are kept at WORK.
The men are employed on the general
improvements OF the city, cutting through
streets, etc This has proved great
saving 10 the treasury. The women are
employed at housework, and are all kept
constantly busy.
This is as it should be, and should be an
example TO our Maryland House of Gcrrec-
ton There are annually about $4,000
prisoners committed to these Institutions;
but, from what can learn, this is on tile
decrease.
There is great necessity in the Dis
trict for discharged prisoners aid So
ciety, similar to our own Maryland Prison
ers' Aid Association, to look after the
moral and spiritual welfare of the prison-
ers while serving sentences, and to meet
them when discharged, provide them with
work, tools and clothing. when necessary;
transportation, and also encourage them
to lead better life, and thereby avoid old
associations and prevent their reconmit-
ment to prison."