Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-17
SHOULD REBUILD pENIrENTrAnY.
Conditions That Exist mt the Prison,
and How They May he Improved.

(Written for the Dispatch)
The rebuilding Of our penItentiary is a
necessity. The fair name Of our State Is
involved, and the question cannot be met
with the reply that we are not able to
do It. This is the situation: The State
owns a beautiful site thirteen acres of
land. and shops that are equal to, II not
superior to any other institution of like
character in this country. Our principal
contract runs to 1906. The contractors
employ nearly 1000 hands, whose earnings
not only pay every expense Of the in
stitution, but actually make a net profit
for the State Of $4,000 per annum.
There are now about 1900 prisoners In
side the walls. This number cannot be
materially reduced, because Of the fact
that the contracts must be kept up. The
necessary help, such as sweepers, cooks,
washers, and tailors must be provided
for. as well as men who are here for
long terms and even for life, who are
dead heads. and cannot be safely sent out.
The purchase of the State farm was
move in the right direction. 1t has re-
lieved the institution greatly. Three hum
dred men and boys are now there. for
whom there is neither room nor employ
ment in the prison. They could not be
put TO better use than that Of producing
supplies to sustain themselves and the
sick that are transferred from here from
time TO time. The institution is upon
solid business basis.
Now as 10 the other side Of the mat
ter: Our duty to the criminal popula-
ton is not fulfilled by simply confining
them for a certain period. and utilizing
their labor for their support while in the
prison, TO meet the expense they have
4 IN ffsf
conviction, and incarceration (Which is
but right and simple justice TO the hon
est people of the state, who would other
wise have to support them out of the
hard earnings, gathered in the shape OF
taxes; but we owe to them, as well as
ourselves. that we should make an eff
fort to reform these people, and send
them out better men and women. How
can that be done, while they are. neces-
sarily, crowded in the cells and where
the influence Of the most vicious is ex-
erted to drag down all to their level?
The cells for our male convicts should
be rebuilt upon a modern plan, and
suitable hospital, cook-house, and wash
house provided for. While there would,
necessarily, be some outlay in money, the
work could be done largely by the prls-
oners. If authority was granted the SUI
perlntenQenl 10 tease StOIlv-uuoliy "Vei
the city, the material for the outside
buildings could be gotten out and put
in position by the convicts. under skilled
direction. giving us q modern. stone
prison, into which the steel cages could
be placed, making it, as it should be,
substantial and up to date In every re-
spect. With a comprehensive plan be-
fore us. the prison could be built in Sec
lions, and would not interfere with the
industries now carried on. How the
money might be raised Authority to
issue bonds, running, say, twenty years;
the net earnings of the institution to be
used to create a sinking fund, and to pay
off the bonds. Make the bonds non
taxable. and they could be fioated at,
perhaps, per cent.