The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-19

sll.42o.
Reference has been made to the sue
cessful inauguration of the House of De-
tention. which prompts further recon-
for the care and classification
OF juvenile and first offence prisoners. The
Hon. II. ID. Money of Mississippi has in
terested himself in this phase OF the CUES
ton and in the course of correspondence
had with him in May last the following
suggestions were advanced by your SUI
perintendent:
g The proposed institution is in lire
with the policy of this department to ie-
strain. without hardening by association
or cell confinement, the classes to which
l have referred. | am no: aware that
any further steps have been taken which
would maintain the same conditions
which are thus proposed after the sui
jects reach the Poles Court CT foiiswing
disposition of cases therein. Their re.
to obtain proper solution of the whole
question, it appears to me, addressin
myself unofficially and personally to you.
that safe and secure quarters. aside fiom
the cells ordinarily used fer the recep-
ton of prisoners at the Police Court,
should be arranged and provided for,
where children sixteen years of age and
under, charged with misdemeanors FIRST
or second offence) and felonies (irst Ct
fence) and women likewise charged-un-
less their demeanor be vulgar or Of
fensive-could be temporarily rss.raine
pending the initial, hearings CT the
charges against them: that the judges
of the Police Court should be authorized
to arrange and provide for the hearing
and trial OF the classes to which 1 have
referred after the judges shall have d.
termined the regular sessions Of their
respective courts, resolving thems Ives
into a court for the trial of women and
children, with authority to invoke such
privacy as may in their judgment be war
ranted in order to shield the prisoners
against humiliation and improper intlu-
ences.
There should be appointed by the Dis
trict Commissioners bai!iffs to the number
of five for duty in the Police Court, in
lieu of policemen who are now detailed
for such purposes. The coming into con-
tact with such officials In the courtroom
will have a tendency to soften the fears
and prejudices which naturally exist in
the minds of women and children at the
thought Of being in custody of a police
man.
There should be appointed by the Dis
trict Commissioners at least two truant
officers who should be men of intelligence
and have the powers and authority OF
members of the Metropolitan Police Force,
and receive salary Of at least 81 ECO per
annum. In addition to the police author
ity they should be authorized to enter
premises upon the written order of any
judge OF the Police or Criminal courts to
procure persons WHO might be released on
probation, or personal bonds. or fur
Tough by any of said judges. and in every
ha .,-do In ha
services OF the judges of the courts afore-
said. and be paid as are other employees OF
the District Government.
When, in the opinion Of any OF the
said judges. prisoner of the class re-
ferred to should be released on probation
during good behavior. the Judge who de-
termines the case should give the name
address, and all facts known to him con-
corning the prisoner to one of the truant
officers, who should thereafter familiarize
himself with the conduct and department
OF said prisoner. and keep informed as te
the prisoner for such period as the judge
might require: and should the conduct and
department of the prisoner so released on
probation be OF such a character as to call
for complaint on the part OF the truant
officer having the case in charge, or OF
any other person or persons of good re-
putation, the truant officer shall, II pos
sible. reproduce the prisoner before the
judge who tried the case. that he may be
resentenced. And frequent complaint.
from persons other than truant officer.
about prisoners under their supervision
should be cause for removal of sucf
truant officers. Truant officers should BIZ
required to make monthly reports OF all
matters relating to their work to tn,
judges OF the Police Court for their ap.
prevail
There should be stenographer or off
cial reporter for the Police Court, whose
duty it should be TO take down and tran.
scribe for court record an abstract Of al
proceedings in the class of cases 1 have
mentioned. he should be appointed by the
Commissioners CT the District of Colum.
bia and be allowed salary of at least
$2,oG0 per anaum, to be paid as are othcl
employees of the District.
Separating the Sexes.
All male prisoners transported from
the police and criminal courts of the
District Of Columbia to the Jail. Reform
School, workhoGse. or other place OF con
fnement. should be conveyed separately
from the female prisoners. and all sen.
fenced prisoners Of the class hereinbe-
fore referred to should likewise be con.
with prisoners CT their own class.
Some of these features have already
been put into practical effect. Prisoners
from the House of Detention are properly
transported to court and to the reforma-
tories where sentenced. and a separate
court, SO far as is practicable under ex
listing circumstances Is conducted. The
miserable building which is occupied ss
Police Court. with its subterranean cells
should be disposed CT or enlarged TO NEE
the exigencies of the service.
" Referring 20 your communication o.
recent date relative to place where tn,
youth Of the District might be committed
and their minds and bodies be employed tt
advantage, il il we're practicable, it oc.
ours to me that the Junior Republic, re.
Gently established on farm donated fol
the purpose in Maryland. might serve IL
such a way as to meet the requirements
presented by you. The institution, as
understand 1t, Is conducted on the prin.
ciple which makes 1t matter OF In.
terest to the boys confined therein
through the valuable features of instruc.
ton and organization which are sus
tained. II arrangement could be mad,
whereby the youth of the District comm,
before our courts might be, by law, PLACED
in the custody OF that institution, tn,
same ends would be accomplished a,
would be had by the establishment of
new farm and school within the District.
e 1 am not sufficiently familiar with Law
to know whether appropriation from Thu
District and Government funds could b'
utilized for the support of an institution
without the District of Columbia, OF
whether the Government might Join thu
State of Maryland in the partnership ant
conduct OF same: but the idea, to lay
man, seems feasible. The expense of tn,
maintenance of the Junior Republic farm
In order that the State of Maryland Nigh
enjoy the privilege which it does now