The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-14
And Permit the Keeping Of Young Offenders
From Contact With Criminals.
CITY NOW OWNS DESIRABLE SITE.
Land on EDDY Street, Purchased Some Time Ago,
Could Be Put 10 Good Uss for This Pu-
pose plain Building Needed.

Tnere was revival this morning Of
the talk relating TO the proposal made
some weeks ago for the erection of n
city Jaii, and quite a number of the
members of the city government and
several city officials are OF the opinion
that such an institution would result
in a great deal OF material good to
morals in general, and in addition
would save the city great deal OF ex-
pense.
The talk started mainly through a
discussion of the method at present
adopted in the punishment OF Juvenile
criminals. and a great many inconsIs-
tencies in the method were alluded to.
perhaps, the most glaring OF these is
the provision which compels the police,
truant officer and others 10 take boys
10 the Jail at Cranston in a manner
that shall not bring them in contact
with older criminals while on tNe way
to Howard, but no provision whatever
is made TO keep the boys apart from
older criminals after being consigned
to the warden.
This strikes the average person as
Gates of city jaif believe that II thsr
views are endorsed much OF the exist-
ing evil can be remedied without diffi-
Guilty. The plan they advise provides
that a portion of the proposed iail
should be set aside exclusively for the
younger offenders who are not crim;-
nal, but that for some misdemeanor
have been sentenced by the court This
would prevent all contact with older
criminals, and minonize the danger OF
making the young offenders far worse,
instead of better.
IL is further suggested that IL a city
Jail was erected much time and ex-
pense would be saved in taking ac-
cused persons to and from Cranston
Under existing conditions as soon as a
man is arraigned and pleads not guilty,
he is, unless he can furnish the neces-
sary amount of bail. taken to Cranston
10 await the trial day, which is rarely
more than week and sometimes is
less. The taking OF these persons back
wards and forwards is source OF ex-
eeffse, and occupies n great deaf or time
on the part of the warrant officers
IL is argIed that these accused per-
sons could be detained in the city Jail
during the tirne they are awaiting trial,
thus saving the expense OF transport
ing them to Howard, and this would
also make IL much easier for them 10
secure bail after being held. Now un-
less person secures bail before tho
warrant officer is ready to take him to
the jail. the only way of giving a bond
is by the bondsman going to the Jail
at Cranston. which occupies, Of course.
a great deal of time. These are only n
few OF the arguments made in favor OF
having city Jail by those who favor
the plan.
1t has been suggested that the land
owned by the city on Eddy street. al
most opposite the Rhode Island hospi-
tai could be used to advantage for the
purpose named. as il appears to be
useless. at least for the present. The
building required would not necessarily
nave TO be large one and could be
plain and substantial, thereby not in
curing an expense that would be bur-
densome TO the city. Those who favor
the plan believe that in time such an
institution would be a paying invest
ment In many ways.