The San Francisco call., 1899-10-05
PRISONERS NOT
To Be WORKED
ON THE STREETS
Chain Gangs Are Too
Expensive.
Oakland Office San Francisco call

SJo broadway, OCT. =
Chief OF Police Hodgl1ins does not agree
with Councilman Girard regarding the
working of prisoners on the streets.
few weeks ago Councilman Girard
wanted the Council to authorize the
Board OF Police and Fire Commissioners
TO order prisoners 10 work making new
streets. The matter was referred 10 the
Chief of Police and this morning he filed
the following report with the board:
I have examined the books of the depart
Tnent for the months Of April May. June. July.
August and September. 1899, in order 10 find
out how many prisoners could be worked on
the streets. and I find the number varies very
much. l find the average number for April,
May and June would have been about twenty,
while the number for July, August and Sep
tember would have been but eleven That is
not figuring on the number Of men who would
not be able to work on account OF sickness.
In my judgment the most important reasons
why the resolution providing for the working
o. prisoners upon the roadways Of the city
should not pass that about two-thirds OF
the prisoners confined in the City Prison are
serving sentences for Drunkenness which are
generally three days, and. therefore the men
sent out TO work would be changed every day,
with very few exceptions, and man the next
day after debauch Is not In a fit condition
10 work; so, out of each three days sentence
on one man. bur two days work would be
done. and those who do work would not do one
third as much work as an ordinary man work
ing for wages.
All who work will have TO be given three
meals day, which will increase the cost Of
feeding prisoners one-thrd. besides the extra
coal used for cooking. Most OF them would
have TO be furnished overalfs, jumpers and
shoes 10 work in, which would increase the
amount paid for clothing materially The
patrol wagon would have 10 take them to work
In the morning, return them to the City
Prison for dinner then take them 10 their
work. and at night return them TO the City
Prison. making four trips day. which would
consume some time, and should there be call
for the wagon they would have to wait until
Its return thereby seriously affecting the eff
cheney Of the patrol service. II would require
the services of two police officers 10 take
charge Of them while at work, thereby max
ing the department two men short.
Since 1891 all Migrants convicted in our Po-
lice Court are sent 10 the County Jail TO serve
out their sentence. Prior TO that time. and
when prisoners were being worked on our
streets vagTants were confined in the City
Prison and helped materially TO swell the num-
Der Of available men to work on the streets.
With prisoners working on the streets
escapes must be expected. unless they work
hardly expect any one 10 suggest.
The working Of prisoners has been tried
three or four times by the city and proved an
expensive failure. and Ii would. in my opinion
add greatly 10 the expense Of the police de-
partment without material gain to the city.
S. c. HODGKINS, Chief Of Police.
After the reading of the report the
Mayor introduced a resolution stating
that as the Chief of Police found 1t would
not be profitable TO work prisoners the
Board concurs in this opinion. This ends
the matter.