The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-14
HOUSE OF DETENTION.
The Property at Sc5 Eighteenth
street Northwest Secured.

| Street Northwest Secured.
In pursuance of the act of Congress, ap-
proved june 6, 1900, the District Commis-
sioners have leased the property at 505
| Eighteenth Street northwest, as place
! for the reception and detention of youthful
| and female prisoners. who may be arrested
By the police. charged with the violation
CT law This location is regarded by the
Commissioners as a convenient and suita-
BILE place for the purpose.
The Law in question authorizes the Com
m,sioners ITO provide transportation ald
suitable place for the reception and de-
| teRsion Of children under sixteen years OF
age, and. in the discretion of the Com
missioners, Of girls and women over six
teen years OF age. arrested by the police
on charge of offence against any law in
force in the District of Columbia, or held
as witness, or held pending investigation.
examination. or otherwise. Provided, That
all such persons held or detained unieI
public authority prior tc the adjudication
CT cases in which they may be involved
! shall be held st the same place so pro-
vided" For this purpose the act sets apart
! IS OoO or so much thereof as may be nee
essary.
! The property procured for the purpose OF
carrying out this legislation is near tue
corner Of New York Avenue, fronting on
7
rooms. and was erected by its owner for
! the use of the State Department. 1t is nro-
/ yided with 4 stable and such improve
ments as viii make 1t an ideal place for
4 the temporary reception of persons such Is
are contemplated by the law. 1t is in a
retired locality. with quiet surroundings.
and is convenient to the several station
houses and the courts.
In speaking of the building and the plans
of the Commissioners in connection there
with Mr.. Macfarland said TO Times re-
porter yesterday that ii is the intention
to have the three police matrons CT the de-
partment on duty at this building on eight
hour shifts. SO ths. trusty woman may
be On duty at all hours to receive and TO
care for prisoners which may be brought
in ct any hour Of the day OF night. He
stated that it was also the intention of the
Commissioners that a special wagon should
be provided for the transportation Oh the
persons detained at this place, which
should have about it none OF the charac-
teristics or traditions of the BLACK Maria
or the prison van. He said that when this
wagon was passing along the streets 1t
would not be distinguished from any other
covered vehicle of the same class. Mr..
Macfarland stated that 1t was the inten-
ton to carry OFT the spirit of the law in
the most enlightened way. and TO surround
youthful and female prisoners with every
safeguard from vicious associations pos
sible.
With this end in view he said the courts
would arrange to examine the cases OF
such prisoners after the regular docket OF
the day, and after men criminals and those
hardened in offences against the law had
been disposed of and removed from the
court rooms 1t is also intended that the
examination Of such prisoners shall be con-
Quoted in a manner to avoid publicity. Nj.
| Macfarland thinks that in this way the
strict intention and purpose OF the statute
will be carried out in a manner to save
youthful and female prisoners from the
feeling Of degradation and shame attending
examinations Of this kind as at present
conducted.
In this connection II may be stated that
| the provision of the institution In question
! has been recommended earnestly by judges
| on the bench. by the Humane Society OF
| Washington and by Richard Sylvester. the
| Superintendent Of Police. in reports, opin
ions, and petitions to the Commissioners
and to the District Committees OF Con-
| RresS.