The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-11-05
CLUB WOMEN HEAR GRAPHIC
DESCRIPTION OF OUR JAIL
Mrs. |. /. Powell, in an Interesting Paper,
Describes Awful Conditions Makes
Plea for Prisoners

are SO remote that il can never be
lanwhing but a menace TO The cffic ais
ana other occupants Of the building,
as well as to the prison Is.
The jailers quarters are on this
same floor A frele. cubby hole is
the only place for women, which for
unatcly are not numerous.
In b tter weather they can be put
Iin another room by putting hase oc.
cupants in the cage Said room Is
plainly unsafe and communication
with outsiders is an assured fact,
Peeps through the Windows prove an
curiously inclined from the outside A
habit not uducing ~ The good Of
these boys but rather ass sting in pre-
pairing future criminals.
The cell room has poor light, misor-
snlc yrlillrion poor plumbing ar
fargenents ami nothing good can be
said Of Ii exc ~ thar there is stove
III Il Tire cage has hunks for tx
Il; u, aad tIaio are cfen thirty oo-
oc~uat-, rSny Of Uhc1 ere dirty and
rtssrT aEau Ec ing clean. The
time does not EN- to hang heavily on
Nc hands of most Of them III IFS II
better place than some though not all
have been used 60 Il is place 10
nv and get something to eat without
having work There is companion
ship opportunity fer better oduca-
tion in wa that arc dark Few real
anything hat iac IA iy papers If those
ana they na tGn t.~ playing cards
sni dies troy play fer priz S. too.
gamble away their meals.
When possible boys and those com
mined on smaller charges are not put
in the cage, but Kept caufn in the
previously mentioned room. but often
there must be a mixtures in the cage
of men and boys blacy and white
Now, this unhealthy contsntment
does not extend to every one who
gels in ja. but it is the rule that
after they have been there once they
DO nor care If they get mack.
All oil this would confirm the opin
ion of most men that "A jail is good
enough for those that get there. " That
people should behave themselves ami
keep out"
What a fallacy! There viii always
De some criminals, bur when HE On
serve 10 educate aud
steep them in crime-an undeniahla
fact in our County Jail why not pro
vide q place where they can be ep
ara,cd FIRST Of all. and made 80 be
clearly ana in case of the boys and
women especially shown something
little bstter than they may have ever
known given a chance to be inter
sted Ia something besides yileness.
Now. people say why don'r the
County Commissioners take the mat
ter up and do something. II is their
No doubt the comm sson
crs for years back, as well as at pres
emf. have carefully examined the cage
room and others ana considered the
but there has been. and is
no money TO do anything with. The
Cuuniy's finances are now one year
b hind i'm paying expenses The law
win permit no further tax unless the
people by q special vote take the mat
ter upon themselves For this, a spec
ial election would held but as in other
it might be- lost sight of. and
q majority OF all votes cast would be
neces airy 10 have 10 carry. This viii
take time aud the qaickening of the
public conscience.
For wears the state beard of char
tiles and the county visitors have been
urging the matter, but it needs the
pressure Of public opinion So while
we cannot vote and have a final voice
in the matter ~ as keep mp woman 4
reputation as takers and let Hs
talk to some purpose-getting our ro-
lauyca and friends who do vote inter
cstcd $50 they VII inter So others and
finally gees a MS TOO expensive bat
safe and sanitary Jail baci.
in tine court house yard where The
prisoners may ic nD stairs. away from
observance by the youth and morbid
where thcro can he proner separation
and sanitation. a strict enforcement of
cicanl.ues and NOT the present ass2
citation and sa isfyHg degrl dation.
The yearly court ana jail expenses