Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-23
THE HOUSE OF DETENTION
NEW INSTITUTION FORMALLY OPEN
ED THIS MORNING.
Instructions Issued to the Lieuten-
ants of Police-Special Term
of the Courts.

u
street northwest, was opened this morning
for the reception of women and children
who may fall into the hands of the police,
and whose previous lives have been such
that there is a possibility of redeeming
them Maj. Sylvester. in an order issued
several DAYS ago relating to the house of
detention said that the establishment of
the institution is the first step toward the
classification of Juvenile prisoners and the
affording of proper shelter for the tenn
porary detention of females of unbalanced
mind. those deserted by husbands or friends
who may be for the time being within the
District, those who may be held temporar-
lily for other authorities and females Of pre-
vious good character who may have been
taken into custody by the police.
The lieutenants of the several precincts
have been instructed that when boys ana
girls under sixteen years of age. taken into
custody by the police for a f1rst Felony OF
Tense or for misdemeanor are not vicious,
and have not heretofore been known as
violators of law they WILL in the discretion
of the lieutenant of any precinct. or the
sergeant acting for him. be first taken to
the police precinct station waiting room.
where the usual and legally required en-
tries bearing on the cases will be recorded.
Telephone message will then be commune
ca ted to the house of detention for the
wagon which will be expected to make
prompt response to the call. and the pris-
oner. or prisoners. will be conveyed to the
house Of detention. where the females will
be placed in charge of the matron, and the
boys in charge of the guard under direc-
ton of the superintendent.
superintendent in Control.
Under the rules. the superintendent has
entire charge of the house. He will give
and receive all orders and be required to
see that all prisoners and other persons
are humaneIy cared for and fed. He will
see that the wagons and horses are prop
erly maintained. that prompt responses are
made to all calls. that all employees and de-
tailed persons are prompt, energetic, faith
full and respectful in the conduct of the
work in hand. that a daily report and re-
ports of all information had from pris-
oners and others of use to the department
are forwarded to the superintendent of po-
lice at headquarters.
Prisoners who become unmanageable will
be returned to the police station from which
they were sent. to be confined in cell.
In having the building prepared for its
present uses. Maj. Sylvester was careful
that it should not be given the appearance
of a prison, and there is not an iron bar
about 1t. Ordinary iron gratings similar
to those used in many public and private
buildings cover the windows. Instead of
small cells, large. airy rooms are provided
for the accommodation of prisoners, and
comfortable beds are introduced instead Of
iron cots.
Connected with the building is a stable
for three horses and the vehicles which are
to be used, and the stable is so constructed
that II can be kept in good sanitary con-
dltlon A square cab has been provided for
the transportation of prisoners from the
stations to the house of detention, and an
ambulance Is being constructed for use be-
tween the building and the Police Court
Until this vehicle is finished one of the
regular ambulances will be used. The
Janitors quarters are in the basement
while on the ground floor are the offices Of
SuDprIntpn6ent
Other Convenience Provided
A front room the second floor has
been set apart for the use of the matrons
who are to perform eight hours service
each day. Three rooms on this floor are
intended to accommodate female prisoners
and five beds are already provided Adj
ditional sleeping accommodations will be
provided as the necessities require
There Is also a bath room on this floor
The boys will be entertained in the top
story. On this floor there are six beds and
two bath rooms. There are bath facilities
on both floors. the rules of the institu-
ton require that all prisoners shall be
given thorough washing before being per-
mitted 10 occupy of the beds
The building was inspected by Major Syl-
vester and number of other officials to-
day, and they We're all highly pleased with
1t.
New Court system.
In connection with this new branch of the
service the judges of the Police Court will
inaugurate a new system of trying certain
cases They Will establish what is to be
known as the "children's court" holding
special sessions for the trial of women and
those under age. While definite arrange
ments for the holding of this court have
not yet been made, it is likely it will be
held in the room of one of the judges after
the regular business is finished.