The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-12
YOUNG GIRLS TORTURED
Grand Jury Report on the Balti-
more House of Refuge.
A Train of Horrors Set Forth in the
DiscIoscres - The Female Inmates
CrueIty-Beatcn, Gagged, starved,
and Confined in Strnit-Jackets.

BALTIMORE. Jan. lin a report SUBJ
mitted by the grand jury today the pres
ent management of the Female House OF
Refuge is iayed mereilessly, and 4 train
of horrors exposed. The institution is de-
clared to be place of horrors, where in
mates are outrageously treated and where
the innocent are morally corrupted nd
ruined
I'VE find." says the jury's report, that
instead of finding shelter, with good in
| fuences and training and a clean moral
| atmosphere. those made to take refuge
within its walls are subjected to treat
| ment more barbarous than is now per-
mitted in any institution devoted solely
to the punishment of crime.
Our investigation developed the fact
that the unfortunate young womsn here
sequestered are not even surrounded by
the considerations of common humanity.
For trifling infractions of discipline they
are made to undergo positive torture.
Considered in connection with the added
intelligence and enlight eminent of the age.
these barbarities are not more repellant
in the contemplation than was the iron
maid OF Nuremberg in the days when
unfortunates were condemned TO It's tor
turing and fatal embrace.
For such attractions as We are all ac-
customed to bearing with in growing and
spirited youth, the unfortunate girls in
the refuge are condemned to the strait
jacket and the dark cell. Another fsvorite
punitive measure is to eucase the head
of II he off in NJ 10
with a gag attachment and then to bind
the knees and ankles together. This must
be endured for hours, the offender being
speechless and helpless during its con-
tinuance.
Zone brutal case of physical punish
ment which was brought to our attention
is worth noting here in detail. For some
breach OF discipline one of the inmates
was k2ocked prone upon the floor by an
infuriated officer. dragged by the hair
from room TO room, fiogged with a car
riage whip. and afterward, as a part of
the same punishment, was put in strait
Jacket and locked in a dark cell. being
kept there for several days on very scaut
diet.
"Milder forms of punishment, not. how
ever less harshls administered, consist
OF iogging, drench!ng with water. and de-
priyation OF meals. Corporal punishment
fed that at-the time of their reception 80
per cent of the girls and young women
committed to the refuge are virtuous. In
response to questions as to the proper
tion of virtuous women at the time of re-
lease this witness said:
There are practically none
The associations are such that during
detention every moral or virtuous ins met
is destroyed and the girls go straight
from the Refuge to lead dissolute lives.
Such a condition is truly appalling. This
testimony was however, confirmed by our
enquiry, and we do not doubt its accu-
racy. Pending legislative action. we urge
that further State and city aid be taken
from the institution; that the proper aH
thorities take immediate steps to secure
the release of girls now held by it. and
their commitment to more efficiently
managed institutions, and that cur com
mitting magistrates refrain henceforth
from condemning youthful females TO in
carceraton in this house of horrors.
This is to be done pending the es,ab
fishing of a State reformatory fer unfor
tunates. The House of Refuge is pri- !
vate institution, hut maintained by ap- |
by Baltimore city and the |
state of Maryland Incorrigible and way |!
ward girls are committed there. The su- |
perintendent and matrOn, as well as all |
other employees are women. The disclos-
ures have created a tremendous sensa-
tion.