Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-25
SATURDAY.. NOVEMBER %. 1895
CRIMINALS AND PRISONS.

II is a gratifying fact that prison life
I'm Virginia has been relieved of some Of
It's unnecessary hardships I'm the past de-
cade or two and that the public now
patiently listens TO any reasonable propo-
sition looking to further Improvement
A noteworthy beginning was made by
charitable men i'm the establishment of
the Laurel Reformatory where there are
now nearly 20 white boys who are
being trained Go habits of obedience and
industry. and who have also. excellent
religious ana educational advantages.
Many BOYS who have passed through this
disciplinary school have returned TO SOC
ciety and become respected mon.
Another credtahe step was the estab-
Hshment of tine State Farm, which has
relieved the penitentary of some of its
surplus population. particularly of those
who. on account of physical disability
arc disqualified from hard labor.
What with the hospital facilities mt the
state Farm and the enlargement OF
the hospital building in the peuitenrary.
sick or cnieeblcd convcts now can bc bet-
ter cared for than ever before. And il
should Doe remembered that hundreds of
the mon VINO come 90 the penitutiary
need more or less mcdI0lI treatment
Though the average convc, b. % young
man. DE is 70 man who bias lei au lrreeu-
OAR and dissoluic ile. Die has not dee
ycloped ~ strength hy hoacst labor. and
On tine purueus of sim. where De has
spent much OF DIS time, Doe has broken
his health.
Another promising institution for ICE
claiming members of the criminal classes
81 the reformatory for colorcd youths
which mas been established near Hanover
Courthouse. IS yet the State has given
IL no help-t Is being supported 10y pri-
vats contributions-but 81 IS presumed
that the Legislature will be willing 20
put il upon about the same footing ass the
Laurel RcfOmatOry. In other words, in-
stead OF paying board for little boys in
jans the State will pay that money Co
the reformatory for the keep of those
sent there by the courts, or by the Gov
onor.
Many Of the counties and cities Of the
State have vastly improved their jails OF
late years and others now have plans ON
foot directed Co the same end. We believe
the time is not far distant when Rich
mond Will build q Jail suited to its needs
and more crcditable to the community
than the present ancient structure. And
here it is proper TO say that the statistics
Of crime in the United States put Virginia
IN very favorable light especially when
we take into consideration certain ele-
ments in our population.
The conditional pardons act passed by
The last Legislature has proved boon
10 penltcnuary convcts with gooC
prison records, and has worked satisfac
torlly to the public. Again, more Interest
1han ever before is being taken in The
spiritual welfare of the convicts, and now
a. Is proposed that the State shah appoint
a chaplain for the penitcnuary. We
do not know whether the Legislature VII
accept that suggestion or not. but ir
any event the discussion of the question
cannot but rsult IN increased efforts
upon the part Of the various dcnomina
lions In behalf OF the spiritual welfare
OF the prisoners.
one thing more remains 90 be done IL
the interest Of humanity ard deccncy ON,
IN justice 10 the pcnitcntiary con
victs. and this is TO enlarge the cell room
there 1t IS believed that II the Leeisa
ture would give the penitonuary author
ties the net earnings of the prison ion
about two years and a half a buildnl
could be erected which would answer "a,
purposes IN view. 1t would not he such
building as Virginia ought 90 provide. sci
II would afford substantial relief.
ln view OF the contracts now In force
and TO continue Tin 1913. it will not o,
possible TO reduce the prison population
below It's present numbers ami so Ion.
as the penitenuary is crowded. ass it is
now. II will remain. ia that respect.
reproach 90 the State Virginia is max
ing progress in penolosy along so many
other lines n would be strange. indeed
II the Legislature failed 10 DO its hes
20 relieve a condition OF thlugs so don,
endured aud so much complained OF.
The New York Herald reports that a