The Washington times., 1901-08-25
THE HOUSE OF DETENTION
Estimates for Its Maintenance
During the Next Fiscal Year.
Major Sylvester Recommends the
Holding of n Children's Court in
the Institutional Large Increase
in Expenses to Be Provided For.

i'm EXPENSES to Be Provided For.
The estimates for the maintenance OF
the. House of Detention for the next hscal
year were forwarded yesterday to the DIS
trict Commissioners by Major Ricnard
Sylvester. the Superintendent OF folce-
These estimates. which will form e part
Of the annual report of the Supar1nten-
dent of Police. contain several Important
recommendations respecting the govern
rnent of the institution. The most i'm
portant one refers to the establishment of
chiidren's court in the House Of Doten-
ton, whore cases involving those detained
therein can be tried and disposed OF with
the least publicity. The sessions of this
court could readily be arranged at such
times as would permit of one of the
judges of the Police Court presiding.
An increase of 1895 over the appropria-
ton for the present fiscal year is also
asked, and the reasons given for the ne
cessity of the same. At present the in
stitution is maintained on lump appro-
priation of $500. but in the opinion Of
Major Sylvester. it is desirable to secure
specific appropriations. The commUnica-
ton of the Superintendent of Police
to the Commissioners Is follows:
Estimates for the support of the
House or Detention under act
To enable the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia to provide transpor-
tation and a suitable place for the recep-
ton, transportation, and detention OF
children under sixteen years of age, and
in the discretion of the Commissioners of
girls and women over sixteen years OF
age arrested by the police on charge of
offence against any law in force in the
h2l6 Witness
es. or held pending final investigation or
examination, or otherwise. 5000. or so
much thereof as may be necessary: Pro-
vided That all such persons held or de-
tanned under public authority prior to the
adjudication of cases in which they may
be involved shall be held al the place so
provided.
This institution is being supported dur
ing the current fiscal year to the extent
that is permissible under an appropria-
ton of $500.
For the fiscal year ending June 70 1893,
j have to recommend that the sum OF sll.-
595 be appropriated for such purpose, to be
included in a detailed appropriation as fol-
lows: Superintendent, additional dcompen-
sation SEQ; three clerks. at S5Jseach. ST.
500: driver of the van. s4S0: three drivers
of cab. at $40 each. sl.26e; one host!er.
$3.50; three guards. at S6e0 each. sl.sOJ; one
Iaborer, $50: two ratrons. at $500 each.
81. 200: rent. 500. laundering. SEQ: horseshoe
ing. SOD; meals to prisoners, SlUo; ice, SO;
gas, SEQ; forage. $500. fuel. $40: horses,
$500: repairs to wagons and purchase of
new one. $500: miscellaneous expenses. in
Guiding furniture, stationery. etc, S5O9;
making total of Sll.535-
1.-The House Of Detention, as the law
Cor irff too
is not a stationhouse. but such an insti-
tuition as is best adapted for the confine-
ment of youthful prisoners coming into
the hands of the police overnight. or I'M
til such time as the charges against them
may be disposed of by the courts. In adj
dition to holding such prisoners for trial.
the judges of the Police Court and Board
of Children's Guardians. in the absence of
an appropriation have had to invoke the
aid of this department to the extent of
caring for these prisoners. that is, hous-
ing and combining thea, after the courts
have considered any charges that may
have been preferred against them. until
such time as they may be sent to
a proper reformatory or assignment
may be made of their cases by way
of penalty and betterment. This has en-
tailed on the limited appropriation made
for the purpose an expense unlocked for
st the time of the inception of the institu-
tion. but l am pleased to state that the
department has been enabled to do this
without great discomfort or entaiiing de-
1ciency in the matter of expense.
THE lieutenauts of the several precinct
Gtationhouses have been greatly relieved
during the past year and a half by the
presence of this place of confinement.
Many of the young have been saved the
humiiatie n. if not the permanent disgrace
and abandonment which too often follows
Incarceration behind the bars, and weak
and unfortunate females and children
have had kindly care during the period
they were deprived Of liberty which does
not prevail in other jurisdictions.
The officers, without exception, have
performed their duties conscientiously and
thoroughly. There have been no escapes.
no harshness, no maltreatment which
would in any measure destroy the object
OF the work. yet. at the same time those
who have been sent to the House OF De-
tention as prisoners have fully realized
that the community provides against the
liberty of those who violate the laws.
Persons arrested by the police have been
promptly transported to these quarters,
and there has been no delay in answering
the summons of the court for their pro-
duction. During the brief period of incar-
CGrdIlpa. females unCer the supervision
OF the matrons and boys under the
pervision of guards have. for the first
time in some instances, been taught that
cleaning IS IS next to godiiness. in this.
that they are required 10 battle and attire
themselves In clean garments for the
night and to preserve good order while 50
Detained.
The vehicles Us ed In the TRANSPORTATION
OF these prisoners and others are devoid
of any appearance that would Indicate
the Prison feature and there are no out
ward sigrs that would suggest other than
humane treatment; neither do the rules
of the institution permit otherwise during
the time of imprisonment.
The superintendent OF this institution
is sergeant in the Metropolitan Police
Department. and in the execution OF his
duties must possess those qualities nee
essary to carry out the ideas as above
enumerated. His pay at the prese mt time
is 81. $50 Per year. and l recommend that
the sarce be increased to 81 .2G
Three clerks, performing duty eight
hours zach. are required during the
twenty-foCr hours. and their pay at this
time Is SEQ per annGm. They enter all
names aE1 Information pertaining to
those who may be sent to the House Of
Detention and prepare the routine re-
ports necessary to its proper conduct
THE driver Of the van is charged with
the duty of driving a double team which
transports prisoners TO the court and
from that Tlace to the several institu-
lions TO which they may be sentenced. or
back to the House of Detention. whore
they may be assigned for temporary i'm
prisonmcHt
Neve each other IN driving tn vehicle
which II spends to the call from the sew
eral precinct statiOnhouses when arrests
are made. in order to transport prisoners
as rapidly as possible to the place OF de
tention-
Three horses are employed TO perform
this work. and they are cared Tor by a
hostler at $50 per aHnum-
Three male guards Kept duty.