The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-03
THE PENITENTIfRf.
The Prison Association Committee he-
ports On Its Needs and Condition


The Executive Committee Of the Prison
Association Of Virginia have just com
pleted a thorough inspection OF the VIZ
gnia state Penitentiary. The committee
consists of Messrs. A. II. Christian tchalr-
mani Thomas Potts. W. -. Williams, and
James Caskie.
The committee have prepared state
ment 10 the General Assembly, embracing
their observations during this tour or IN
spection In this statement the commit
tee bring out the following facts:
In the performance OF the duty devolyed
upon them. the Prison Association OF VIZ
ginia has very recently, through us EA-
ecutive Committee. made personal VISIT
10 the state Penitentiary and examined
carefully and critically its control ana
MANAGEMENT, as well as the facilities and
conveniences afforded for the care Of the
prisoners committed TO its care. They
found the general care and condition or
tho prisoners good; the buildings ana
grounds we'll kept and clean, the food
sound and wholesome, and the general
health Of the prisoners wonderfully good,
considering the crowded condition OF the
cells: and it is upon this point chiefly
that we desire urgently to impress upon
you the need Of some action.
In the discussion Of the matter X ~
understood that we have reference only
10 the male prison. the female prison be-
ing properly constructed and the prison
ers confined alone. The old prison When
il was constructed was intended TO pro-
vide for only three hundred prisoners ahd
this on the cOngregate plan. which an
well-advanced prison authorities now con-
denim in the most pronounced way. since
then "A fourth story has been ADDED hul
to-day we find over twelve nuhuieu men
crowded into one hundred and ninety
.. fTa faI "a nv of haT MI.
The modern system Of single cells mas
been adopted generally by all advanced
prison authorities for the confinement Oh
convicts and IL must be clear 10 you WIN
out any argument from us. how unwh"tr-
some. not only from n physical, but
moral standpoint must be the huddhnB oi
the vicious together in the manner lh
which IL Is now done in the penitehtlaiy.
We desire 20 urge upon you IN the graves
manner the absolute need OF some I'M
pgovement Of the condition that now eN-
lists IL is not within our province 10 IN
dicate the plan or method by Whlch this
should be accomplished, but we were
shown several plans fer such an enlarge
ment and 10 Is q matter which has been
considered with the greatest care by the
management OF the institution for a mum
Der OF years, realizing, as they have done
the pressing demand for such changes
These will doubtless be submitted 10 the
proper committee when the question OF
enlargement comes before you.
In n lesser degree we found great need
OF enlarged hospital and dispensary facil-
tiles, and for convenience, an absolute
need OF enlarged kitchen and laundry
room. The present arrangements Tor All
OF these purposes are not only antiquated
but entirely insufficient and inadequate 20
carry on properly the work OF the insti-
tuition.
The cause OF humanity requires that
some action be taken Immediately 20 re
leve the overcrowding OF the prison cells
as the present condition reflects great
discredlt upon our civilization.