The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1900-04-18
LOCx-up CONDEMNED
State Beard VIII Soon Order the
Redwood Calaboose Closed. = s

The State BOARD OF cOfrectlOnS
and charities has decided to con-
denim the lookup OF this city, and
unless the city council takes action
looking towards the reconstruction
of the lookup, or erect new lock-
up; the board has voted that at its-I
next meeting@it will close up the
present institution, and by due pro-
cess of law prevent the police officers
of this city from combining any prs
oners in the same even for an hour
or more With the action on the
Redwood lookup. similar action
was taken in regard to the lock-ups
at Worthington, Window, and Glen
wood.
It appears that this action was
the result Of the report of local
health officials, and backed up by
report made by Secretary Jackson
of the State Board of Corrections
and Charities, when that official
was in the city some time ago. At
that time Mr.. Jackson stated to a
GAZETTE reporter that the Redwood
lookup was one Of the worst he
ever visited and that it was totally
unfit to keep human beings in. He
pointed to the grave danger of loss
of life by fire, as we'll as the very
unhealthy condition of the institu-
ton, as conirmatory of his first
statement. When he visited the in
stitution he called the mayor and
some of the members of the city
council to inspect the institution
with him and he told them what
kind of building ought to be erect
ed to care for persons violating the
city ordinances, while they were
awaiting trial He advised the con-
struction of one-story brick build
ing, costing in the neighborhood OF
500, with two or three cells SO ar
ranged that each would have plenty
of light, and would be perfectly
healthy, and recommended that the
walls of the building be constructed
in such manner as to be practi-
cally fire proof.
The members of the city council
were of the opinion at that time
that Mr.. Jackson was slightly off
on his construction figures, believ
ing that it would cost over 81 900 to
build the lookup the way he want
ed it. and since that time there has
been nothing done in the matter.
The fact that a condition now con-
fronts the council is leading the
members to discuss just what to do
in the matter. Some citizens are
urging the construction Of city
hall and lookup, in which prison
ers can be confined, and which can
be used for city hall, and one OF
the ward hose and hook and ladder
houses, but owing to the fact that
the financial condition of the city is
anything but favorable at present
the council is not kelly to listen to
this proposition, and will probably
carry out Mr.. Jackson S suggestion,
when they are forced to build.
It will be remembered that at the
time of Mr. Jackson S visit to Red
wood Falls he also inspected the
county Jail. This was day or two
after couple of Mrrshall prisoners
came near breaking out of the insti-
tuition by drilling through the brick.
Mr.. Jackson then called the commits
sioners' attention to the fact that
there should be solid steel parti-
ton between the two rows of cells
on either floor. He made other rec
ommedations, among them number
to the sheriff as to what should be
allowed the prisoners and what ex-
ercise should be given them. The
sheriff has practically complied
with the recommendations made to
him, but the commissioners have
not yet ordered the partitions be-
tween the cells.