Evening star., 1898-07-30

last winter men were doubled In beds, tem-
porary bedsteads were put in the halls. and
from twenty to fifty prisoners were obliged
to sleep on straw beds on the noors OF
basement rooms and Railways. The con-
struction of this building is bad. and the
plan is the worst that can be conceived Tor
o prison, namely, the congregateG cell
plan. No two prisoners should ever be
confined in the same cell, while here the
cells are planned for six to twelve each,
aid often as many as eighteen are kept
in a single cell. I therefore recommend
that a new workhouse be erected for the
male prisoners, and that the present build
ing be repaired and used as receiving
ward foc the hospital department and an
overflow for the colored men of the aims
house whose quarters must be enlarged.
THE house was constructed with twenty
six cells rooms for prisoners, with PIG
beds in tiers of three chat is, one above
another), the floor space being found too
small to allow beds to be placed side by
side. One corridor fitted with ten beds,
temporarily, making total sleeping ac-
commodation for 226 persons, leaving l26
persons apparently without beds. OF this
number fifty-seven were doubled IN beds
three feet wide; nineteen are sleeping in
the hall way, or with beds on the floor, and
fifty are kept in the basement hallway,
cells and drying rooms, with beds on the
floor.
Congress Fails to Appropriate.
Through your honorable board the atten-
ton of Congress has been called to the
very Inadequate provisions made for this
class of prisoners, but no appropriation for
relief has been granted. The time mas now
arrived when further delay is dangerous to
the health or safe-keeping of these prison
ers. l earnestly urge that such steps be
taken as will result in either very large
addition being made to the present pulld-
ing or what would be far better, an entire
new structure be erected. The present
building is faulty in construction and situa
ton. and the plan is the very worst that
could be devised for the proper keeping of
prisoners. The present congested condition
is determined to health, comfort, order,
discipline and safe Keeping with slght
alterations this building would make
suitable quarters for the male INN ates of
the almshouse, which also must have add
ed space as both white and coiored quar-
ters are now crowded to the danger point
81 therefore recommend the construction
of a new workhouse for males back from
the street front, and also the alterations
needed to make the present building useful
as an overflow for the balance OF the lnstl-
tuition
ment record of the male workhouse.
The superintendent then says:
There were 1,496 discharged for good con-
duct during the year, as the law allows five
days In every thirty for good behavior dur
ing Imprisonment.
sThe number of escapes from the work
house gangs was Is, the number recaptured
Z; leaving at large. OF this number it is
believed that only one or two remained In
the city. The metropolitan police depart
ment has rendered to the institution prompt
and valuable services in the recapture of
these persons and by detail of officers
guards over the working gangs, for which
1 beg leave to tender my thanks.
Female Workhouse.
No repairs have been made to this build
ing, except to a roof, guttering, glazing and
the erection of a fumigating and disinfect-
ceive sulphur bath before going to laun-
dry. The labor of this department has
been utilized in the laundry, where an av-
erage of 10 256 pieces of clothing and bed
ding are washed monthly; also in the sew
ing room, where the clothing of the inmates
is made and repaired Details are also
made to the different kitchens as cooks, as
sistants and cleaners at the hospital and
almshouse.
The number of articles of clothing, &C.,
made by female prisoners and in the tailor
shop is shown.
The discipline and order of the house
has been good. Number of cases of punish
ment, 30; confinement, 40; shortest hours
in confinement, 3; average number of hours
for each one coming under punishment
which simply consists of bread and water
diet and forfeiture of good time allowance
was 10.
The time made and estimated value of
labor by the prisoners of the workhouse
ing the year is stated to have been, in the
aggregate, SAT S7S.
In his aDitulation the credit due the
institution for labor, ETC.. is given as fol-
lows: Grading streets, S31, ,764; clearing
streets near markets, 1872; at Rock Creek
Park, A.606; on farm, s., ,641; in shops, ST.
lA2; in laundry, s. $50; in sewing room, ST.
377: old material sold, S209.41; burial of
pauper dead of the District, s., 500; total,
$49, 9,5S7.41.
Potters' Field.
1.-The number Of interments made in pot
ter's field was $50. OF this number forty
four died in this hospital; the balance wers
from other public and charitable instftu-
items and from the District at large on or
ders from the health officer. A horse and
wagon is kept for this purpose, with
driver, paid from the contingent fund of
the institution. The collins are made by
the carpenter of the institution, and es-
innate this work at 1880 per annum- The
sum of $500 from the appropriation for
CHARITIES was allowed for the purchase of
lumber for collins of this amount.
Church services in the almshouse, male
and female workhouses and visits to the
he spital have been held each Sabbath by
visitors belonging to the different denom-
nations.
Deficiency Probable.
without doubt large deficiency will be
caused by the unlooked-for increase in
prices of necessary articles. The estimate
of 500 per capita furnished last year should
have been allowed by Congress for main
tenance, If 1t is desired that these unfortu-
nate creatures are to be cared for properly.
ard I earnestly beg that your honorable
be ard ask Congress for such appropriation
as viii enable the ,ntendant to give to the
aged. unfortunate and helpless inmates
such care and subsistence az will keep
them in comfortable condition and shield
the authorities from criticism"
Tables of statlstics and changes made
during the year and standing Of appropria-
tons are submitted