The evening times., 1901-08-24
THE HOUSE OF DETENTION
Major Sylvester's Report for the
Coming Fiscal Year.

He Recommends That the Police
Judges Hold Court ut the Institu-
tiOn to Protect Women and Chill
dren From PubIicity-Estinatcs
Major Richard Sylvester. Supcriuten-
dent II Police. today forwarded TO the
District Commissioners his estimates for
the maintenance OF the House of Ettcu-
tion for the comiuE fiscal year and scy-
eral recommendation concerning the gov
eminent Of the Institution. The most i'm
HUTtauJ OF these recommendations is one
providing that the police judges be r--
Cuir.d Co each dav hold session of the
court al that institution TO hear and dis
pose Of cases involving women and chill
dren under confinement therein
The estimates provide for an increase
Of $3.,95 ia the cost of maintaining the in
stiUution. the present appropriation being
a lump sum of S>Ulo. Major SylvcSters
communication TO the Commissioners is
as fol..ws-
House OF Detention under an act approv-
ed To enable the Commissioners of the
District Of Columbia TO provide transpor-
tation and "A suitable place for the reCep-
tion, transportation. and detention of the
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
District of Columbia, or held as 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 20 the
adjudication of cases i'm which they may
be involved shall be held at the place so
provided
This institution is being supported dur
ing the current fiscal year 10 the extent
that is permissible under an appropria-
tion Of sSCel.
For tho fiscal year ending June 3D. l9U.
I have To recommend that the sum Of ST.
bg5 bc appropriated for such purpose. 20 be
included in a detailed appropriation as fol-
lows: Superintendent. additional compen-
s3tiOu. El20. three clerks. at S5lo each. ST.
800. driver Of the van. $50. three drivers
Of cab. at 500 each. SI.26D, one hOstIcr.
$3.50, three guards. at 5000 each. Sl.N0l, one
laboror, 500, two matrons. at $500 each.
N-2po, rent, 500 laundering Sl2u, horseshoe
iEE. 500; meals to prisoners. 500. ice. 80
gas, $50. forage. 500. fuel $40, horses.
$500, repairs to wagons ana purchase OF
new onc 500. miscellaneous expenses. in
cludins furniture. stationery. etc SOD.
making total Of SlI.5g5.
The House Of Detention. as the law
making provision for its support indicates.
is not a stationhouse. but such an insu-
tuition as is best adapted for - coufine-
ment 90 youthful prisoners coming into
the hands of the police over night. or uu-
I'll such time as the charges against them
h. al grFr 1-r
ditiou 10 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 10 invoke the
aid Of this department TO the extent Of
caring for these prisoners. that is hous-
ing and confining them. after the courts
have considered any charges that may
have been preferred against them. until
such time as they may be sent TO
proper rcformatory OF 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
at the time of the inception Of the iustitu-
tion. but I am pleased To state that the
department has been enabled to do this
without great discomfort or entaiIing de-
ficiency in the matter Of expense
The iicUtenauts Of the several precinct
statiunhouses have beer greatly relieved
during the past year and half by the
presence Of this place OF confinement
Many Of the young have been saved the
humiliation. n 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 We're deprived of liberty. which does
not prevail ia other Jurisdictions.
THE officers. without exception. have
performed their duties cons. icntiousIy and
Thoroughly There have been no escapes.
no harshuessi no maitreatment 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
teution 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 arsv-arirty
the summons Of the court for their pro-
ouctlOn- During the brief period Of fncar-
ceratOa, females under the supervision
of the matrOns and boys under the sJI-
perFision OF guards have. for the first
Ilhe IN some Instances. been taught that
cleanliness is next 70 godIiucSs i'm tbis
Inat they are required 10 battle and attire
themselves In clean garments for the
-.--e'it anu t' pItstIAt SJDQ order while
detained
The vehicles used in the transportation
OF these prisoners and others are devoid
OF any appearance that would porteud ro
the prison feature. and there are no out
ward signs that would indicate other than
humane treatment neither DO the rules
ot the institution permit otherwise during
the time Of Imprisonment
The superintendent Of this Institution
IS sergeant iu the Metropolitan Police
department and. in the execution of his
Cutts. must possess those qualities nee
essary TO carry out the ideas as above
enumerated. His pay al the present time
is S-p,D per year, and ] recommend that
the same ba increased 10 even 81 gUU
Three clerks, performing duty eight
hours each are required during the
tweuty-fOur hours. and their pay al This
time IS 500 per auUUm. They enter an
names and information pertaining TO
those who may De- sent to the House Of
Detention and prepare the reHtius re-
ports necessary 10 its proper conduct
The driver ~ the van is charged with
The duty Of driving q double team which
transports prisoners to the court and
from that place TO the several iustitr-
tIous To which they may be sentenced. OF