Gilpin observer., 1903-09-17
Girls Industrial School.

The recent very severe criticism of
the State Industrial School for Girls
by the Denver Grand Jury led Gov
ernor Peabody to request the State
Board of Charities and Correction to
make an immediate investigation of
the institution. The report of the board
which is regarded as vindication of
the management, is as follows:
/. Denver, Colo, Sept, 10. 1909.
ITO his Excellency, James II. Peabody,
Governor of Colorado:
''Sir-At your requst, the State Board
of Charities and Correction has this
day visited the State Industrial School
for Girls, the visit having been made
by the entire membership of the board.
The recent report made by the commit
tee of the membership Of the grand
jury and comments thereon made by
the daily newspapers of the state have
made it seem desirable that the full
est possible investigation should be
made of this institution.
About two months ago a portion of
the board visited the school, which at
that time was undergoing the annual
housecleaning and did not present the
appearance of neatness which we
thought should have characterized it.
Certain suggestions were made to the
board of control and we were very
much pleased on this occasion to find
that the matters which at that time
very unsatisfactory were materially
improved.
Regarding the presentment of the
grand jury, we beg to report:
"First-We do not agree with the
grand jury that discipline is utterly
lacking. 1t is obvious that no one. af-
ter hasty and superficial examination
extending over the short period of one
hour. can fairly draw such a sweeping
conclusion. That the discipline Is not
perfect is perhaps true, as it is like
wise true of all penal institutions, but
an earnest effort is being made to i'm
prove it, aand the report of the grand
jury is manifestly unfair and calcu-
lated to prejudice the people against
the institution.
Second-1n our judgment the report
made by the committee of the grand
jury was not based upon thorough
knowledge and careful study of the
situation. We cannot agree with the
members of the committee in recon-
mending that the same rules and reg
ulations should apply to the girls
school as to the boys. 1t must be re-
membered that the sex Of the inmates
and the fact that many Of them are
young adults, prevents the use Of the
same modes of punishment and the
same kind of discipline that can be
used to great advantage in the school
for boys.
"Third-As to the recommendation of
the committee Of the grand jury that
man be placed at the head Of the insti-
tuition, we respectfully dissent. That
woman should always be at the head
of the home is required by the very
nature of the inmates, and should need
no other argument than the statement
of the proposition.
"Fourth-Anxious to learn the exact
facts in regard to the punishment re-
ported by the grand jury. we sent for
the girls who had been interviewed by
the members of the grand jury, and
very particularly asked them concern
ing the punishment they had been sub
jected to by the imprisonment In the
cells and by shackles. The girls were
examined by us without any person
connected with the institution beins
present, and assured that it was our
. 4 . a u a n. u.