The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-29
THE JAlLS OF INDIANA
AS A RULE THEY ARE NOT IN VERY
GOOD CONDITION.
Facts About Them Contained i'm the
Annual Report of Seere-
tary Butler.

The following article on the condition of
jais in this State will appear in the annual
report of Secretary Butler, of the State
Board of Charities:
THE condition of Indianas jaiIs is bad.
Not that they are. as whole, worse than
those in other States They probably
better than in some. But when one visits
them and sees them neglected. out of re-
pair, poorly admins cred and many of
them dirty and foul he feels discouraged.
In them immortality is encouraged and vice
is taught The provision for sex separa-
ton in many of them is exceedingly I'M
satisfactory. and in some others there is
almost none at all. These words not
applicable TO all our jails, but they do APP
ply to most. There are few good jails;
some that are clean, fairly we'll admins
tered. in which the sheriffs take consider
able pride in doing all they can for the
preservation of public property. for the
proper conduct of the institution, and, best
of all, in being helpful to the prisoner.
That most of the sheriffs would do this
there is no doubt but they do not know
what they should do or how they should
do it. They are elected to the Office with
out previous training in Jail administra-
ton. Most of them, perhaps, have visited
few other jails aud do not know what IL is
possible to do to be helpful to the unfortu-
mates who come under their care. A little
attention, a little careful study, little pa
tient inquiry. would give them such in
formation as would be very helpful to them
in the conduct of the institution they are
called upon TO direct.
The total jail population, not counting
Marion warehouses =
on the evening of Oct. 81, 1900, was 709-
COS men and 81 women OF the 276 who were
girls and 80 boys. There were serving jail
sentences 25S men, IL women, boys and 2
girls-total. 293. The miscellaneous pris-
oners numbered 49-42 men, 3 women. boys
and girls. There were 40 tramps received
for lodging. all men. Fifty-one insane were
reported as jail inmates on that day. Eight
of these were awaiting inquests, 20 await
ing admission to hospital, % were report
ed as chronic cases, of whom IA
ported returned from hospitals.
Fourteen counties reported no occupants
mate. Marion and Vanderburg counties
each reported fifty-nine persons confined.
"A statement has been received from the
sheriffs this year, for the first time, show
ing the total number of prisoners confined
in their respective jails during the year
ending Oct. 81, 1900. These statements have
not been as complete as desied and the
figures in many cases not accurate.
Many of the sheriffs have apparently given
very full and detailed reports. The figures
they have given are valuable. Some of the
reports received contain simply the total
number OF prisoners, with no data regard
ing their sex the cause of their con-
finement. However, a start has been made,
and we hope in future to receive more sat
fsfactory returns from the different coun-
ties.
"A compilation of the reports received
shows that 27.464 persons have been con-
fined in the ninety-two jails in this State
during the past year 1881 men, 1,240
women. 763 boys and 100 girls. OF these
S,67S are reported to have been serving jail
sentences, 534 were insane, 1910 were con-
fined for various other reasons, while the
tramps or dodgers numbered SIP. The
jaiis which have had the largest namber of
prisoners during the year those in Vigo
county, which had 2,166 inmates; Marion.
1,S2i; Tippecanoe, 1863; Grant, 1886; Madi-
son. 1.340: Cass. l,2s0; Delaware. LBS. Far
rison, Jay and Jennings counties have re-
ported no prisoners during the year.
Attention Is called TO the number of
tramps who have been cared for in the
jails. The general testimony is that since
the enactment of the new poor relief law
the number of tramps has been very large
ly reduced. in many places where the trus-
tee has been most efficient the nuisance has
practically ceased. Notwithstanding that.
the number of tramps cared for, as re-
ported. is quite large-5,li2 The largest
number is reported from Tippecanoe county
Il, $50. Decatur ranks next, with 1852; John
son, 337; Elkhart. 325. Other counties which
cared for a large number are: Grant 265:
Shelby, 231; Hamilton, 216. Cass, 209 and
Clinton, $50.