The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-01-02
THE NEW JAIL
alahaska,s Prison is Practically Conn
pleted

The new Jail stands practically COM
pleted, and is open to the inspection
of the public during this week and nm
til January LIST. The prison is now
beng utilized by the sheriff for The
keeping of the prisoners that have
hetn confined in the cells IN the base
ment jail of the court house. All
have been removed to tha new cells,
AMI the county, after all these years
of condemnation and waiting, has one
OF the best iails to be found in any
city of the state
The new prison is capable of accom-
modating in cells at the present time
fifty-eight prisoners. In case of en-
Urgency, the third story, that is now
unused, could be made to accommo-
date fifty more prisoners, but such an
emergency is not likely to occur.
The first floor is divided into two
large cell rooms. Each cell room con-
tains three cells with bunk capacity
of four men each. That is twelve
men to the cell room and twenty four
men capacity for the first floor IN the
mems department. The arrangements
on the second floor are the same for
the men as on the first and that makes
a total of forty-eight. Then, in addi-
ton to this. cells are provided for
eight women or children. There are
two sick wards and two bath rooms,
where prisoners may have the privi-
lege of at least keeping clean.
The floors of the cell rooms sre of
cement and that of the cells is of steel
with steel ceilings. There is a space
or alleyway in front of the cells and
an areaway at the sides and the rear
of the cells. The prisoners may be
permitted the freedom Of Ihc alley
way of the entire cell room at The
will o, the attendant or the turnkey.
The cell doors are all operated from
the exterior of the cell room 1t is
possible to lock or unlock any desired
cell or all at the same time at the
will Of the operator. The cell doors
are all securely locked as well as the
casing of the mechanism that con-
trolls the locks. 1t is an intricate
and somewhat complicated system
and yet so simple that to see it once
makes one wonder that it hadn't been
thought of before.
The cell room is provided with a
water closet and lavatory, and each
modations for use at night. Every
thing is perfectly sanitary and mod
ern in the strictest sense. Every
comfort possible is looked after. The
hunks are Of steel and of pattern
that will admit of raising or lowering
at wiz of the cell occupant. Electric
light or gas may be used as the build
ing is both piped and wired. The com.
mercial water of the city is used and
the building is steam-heated.
The apartments for the women and
the children are some what more pre-
tentiOus than those of the men and
have some what different accommoda-
lions that amount to the same in the
end. The sick wards are for the care
of any prisoners who may be ill or
injured.
The third floor is as yet unprovided
with cells. 1t is the intention of the
county TO fit this story with the old
cells that were in use in the basement
prison beneath the court house. The
prisoner capacity of the house will
be the same us the other stories.
The residence of the Shelf is at
the Jail proper and is a comfortable
and cosey but rather plain appearing
two story brick building with all the
modern conveniences, water, gas, cleo
trio light, bath room, closets, pantry,
and eight rooms. The residence is al
most entirely separated from the Jail
part of the building, the entrance to
the prison being from the west side.
and in the alley.
The public has been making a care
full examination of the jail during the
past several days and will be permit.
ted to do SO until the first day of
January, 1902. The expressions heard
from those that have been through
are in commentator of the work
done and of the board under whose
management the building has been
constructed. 1t is certain that the
county has place at last for the de.
tanning of it's criminals, place that
will hold them when they are once
imprisoned and a place that will be
lasting credit to the city and county
at large.