Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-03-08

v,
viii be Entitled TO Deductions From SEN |
tence Time for Good Behavior. |
The opening of proposals for the
county workhouse, by the trustees ap.
pointed for the purpose of establishing
the institution, marks an epoch III the
history of New Castle county, and the
State, as well, as it is, in reality, the
first material step in the direction OF
reforming the method of ing for the
criminal wards of the community. 1t
is well-known fact all over tho United
States that Delaware is not up to the
standard of most other States in this
matter, and it is gratifying to feel that
the Inauguration Of change for the
better is well under way. Several years
were spent by the advocates OF prison
improvement in an effort to convince
the Legislature that the establishment
of workhouse would innure to the
benefit OF the community in many ways,
and after the State lawmakers gave
their consent to having the experiment
tried in New Castle county, the trustees.
whose appointment followed, lost no
time in making preparation for the
great undertaking they had before
them.
Nothing was done hastily, however.
Every proposition in connection with
the matter was well considered, and in
giving careful attention to all of tho
details the trustees believe they will
accomplish the very best result possible
under the law, which limits the APP
preparation 10 500, 600. The money was
provided through county loan author
sstn1 hx.4 ha ,lnt a nlnftnP a
for the proposed institution gave the
trustees much concern, as many things
had to be taken into consideration in
the selection OF location. 1t was
necessary to lind suitable place within
easy reach of Wilmington and with
coed transportation facilities. The
sanitary conditions also entered largely
into the question, and the purchase
price was also feature. IL is eener
ally admitted that the prolonged coz
sideration OF this matter was beneficial
as it would have been difficult to hav,
found place that would meet the he
nuirements better than the one selected
The site comprises 26la acres of LANE
ut Greenbank, about four miles south
west of Wilmington. 1t is high, beinl
60 feet above the Landenberg branch o
the Baltimore 4 Ohio railroad, whicl
is about quarter OF u mile distant
and is, naturally, dry and healthy. l
is about $50 yards from the Wilmingto
a. Brandywine Springs trolley road, an
has, therefore, ample railroad facilities
The price was not exorbitant, the entir
tract being acquired for tritie les
than $4,000. 1t IS apparent, at glance
that very good judgment was used i
making the selection,
The next step, after the location ha
been decided upon, was the preparation
of plans. The utmost care was excl
cised in looking after this very in
Iortant detail and as result q modefi
well-equipped institution mas been prt
yided for. The main building is to |
in the shape of q cross, being 2SS fe
long one way and 1871 feet the other.
will be 21s stories high and is to l
built in substantial manner of stol
and brick At tie main entrance wi
be the living department of the supe
intendent, guards and other assistant
who will also have their offices Their
In the opposite end of the same viii
will be the cooking, bathing and 9th
similar departments. A portion
this wing will also be devoted to cell
All of tho wing running in the Other d
rection will be used for prisoners qua
tiers, Provision has been made for 3
cells, each 5xS feet and constructed
Steel. Each cell is independent of j
neighbor. Immediately outside the CT
doors are prisoners corridors and /
tween the prisoners corridors and t
walls are guards corridors, viii
makes the escape Of prisoners next
an impossibiIity. There are no wa
on any side Of the cells, as corridc
pass along the back as we'll as the frol
II is intended that each convict sh
have cell to himself, and the pla
are made SO that when the prese
number of cells becomes insufficient {
ditions can be made. The cells
located on two floors, two tiers
each floor.
A powerhouse for the boilers, engin
dynamos and other power machinery
to be built 3l3 feet from the mi
building and connected with it b
tunnel, which will be so arranged t
escape from it will be impossible. ]
tunnel will be necessary, as convi
are to assist with the work in
powerhouse. All of the details b
been provided for in the plans, and
trustees are of the opinion that
county will have an ideal workho
when it is completed. What length
time will be required to build it is
known.
The trustees propose, when the bu
ings are ready for occupancy, to t
all of the prisoners who have been {
Yicted of any crime in New Ca
county by any Of the courts; also,
prisoners awaiting trial aud pers
LAll IN, a 81 hof ttt,ns
it will be the only place Of detention
to BIO abandoned as county prison
of the prisoners going to the W
house. Under the law the trustees
have entire charge and control of a
tho inmates of the Jail. thereby su
ceding the sheriff. The trustees
also required to put the prieonel
some suitable employment, the oil
being to make the prisoners
supporting. They are to work eight b
each secular day and receive credit
he paid for all overtime. All M
earned by oyerwork is to be place.
the disposal OF the prisoner, who
have it sent TO his OF her famil
expended for such articles us they
be permitted to have in the priso
it can accumulate and be paid
lump sum at the expiration of the
of Imprisonment, this being opt
wirh the prisoner.
The cost Of maintenance is TO be
by the county at the rate of 40
daily per capita until the work.
loan has been liquidated, and there
the county is TO pay only such amt
as are required for actual mainten
The trustees having paid only {
$4,000 for land and preliminary ,