Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-09
REFORMS SUGGESTED
SEQUEL TO RECENT ESCAPE FROM
THE woRKHoUsE.


workhouse of another "trusty, Commits
sioner Macfarland has announced that he
will ask the board of Commissioners IL
something cannot be done to prevent per-
sons not attached to the governmental IN
stitutions located in the vicinity OF the
workhouse from frequenting or Visiting
there The Commissioner believes the con-
tinual passing of strangers furnishes TOO
good an opportunity for these TRUSTEES 10
escape. Before arriving at this conclusion
Mr. mcfarland requested of Superintendent
Zinkhan of the workhouse and Secretary
Wilson OF the board of charities. which has
authority over the workhouse. compre-
hensive statement not only of this latest
case, but of the question in general, with
suggestions as to the most practical rem
cdy
In this connection Superintendent link
han says:
1--WE have only four watchmen on night
duty The day shift reports for duty at
am. 1t is necessary to turn out nunoer
of prisoners for work between and Z a m.
These are assigned to the stables DUMP
Kitchens bakery. fire room. etc IL mas al
WAYS been the custom to send prisoners III
these gangs who, presumably, couia pe
trusted. 1t is not possible to SEND omcers
with all of them. The same practice pre-
walls in other prisons. There Is rather NOR
latitude given here because we nave - a
I'm the almshouse and hospital, as well as
at the stables and about the farm
eve must continue this practice unless we
have additional officers, which is hardly
imstifable 1t is something very unusual
for a trusty to get away, ana II ne Goes ne
is nearly always caught in short time.
Reply of Board of Charities.
The reply of the board of charities,
through Secretary Wilson. is longer and
deals with the subject in detail Secretary
Wilson says:
Respectfully returned to Commissioner
Mcfarland inviting attention to the pre-
ceding Endorsement. Under present condi-
tons 1t is probably inevitable that occa-
sional escapes will occur at the Washins-
ton Asylum. 1t is desirable that prisoners
should perform large part as possible
OF the necessary labor at that institution.
and in order that this may be done II IS
necessary either to detail certain trusted
prisoners without immediate supervision or
to greatly increase the number of ofhcers.
In the opinion of the board of charities the
number of escapes has not been great
enough to demand such an increase of
force.
There are certain things. however, that.
in the opinion of the board, might be done.
some of which have already been author
tied. that will improve conditions very
greatly at the workhouse, so far as the
matter of discipline and supervision of
prisoners is concerned, and will lessen the
possibility of escape.
The removal of the almshouse depart
ment to new location, separate in
sttution, has already been authorized, and
should be accomplished within the next
twelve months This change will greatly
lessen the need for detailing prisoners
either individually or in very small groups.
to perform labor at different places the
asylum grounds. The almShouSe depart
ment occupies four buildings, widely sep
arated from one another, and consequently
.ft.at1 Iat. lF
manner as to render very difficult
proper supervision. The further fact that
a large number of the inmates of the aims
house are every day about the grounds of
the institution and inevitably come in con-
tact, more or less, with the prisoners, in
creases the possibility of communication
with outside and possible escape.
Removal of Hospital Department.
In the opinion of the board of charities it
Is exceedingly desirable that the hospital de-
partment also should be removed from the
Washington Asylum grounds and estab-
IShed as separate municipal hospital at
the earliest possible time. The board has
frequently emphasized the Importance of
this matter, as it concerns the care of the
biCk poor. 1t also greatly concerns the man.
agement of the workhouse. The presence
on the asylum grounds of 100 to 40 sick
persons, with the necessary doctors, nurses,
OrderlieS and other employees, renders more
the proper ulSclpllne ana SuperVl-
sion of the prisoners. The sick prisoners
are treated in the same wards as the sick
poor who are not prisoners, and it is neces-
sary to have prisoners do some of the work
in the hospital buildings 1t is greatly to be
desired that the effort for the establishment
of municipal hospital, in proper place,
Will soon prove successful, and that hos
pital work at the Washington Asylum can
be discontinued except in SO far as is neces-
sary for the care of sick prisoners. 1t is
impossible to secure the best discipline and
most efficient administration of the work.
house so long as ii is necessary to combine
the administration of the workhouSe with
that of the hospital or almshouse.
The board of charities would respectfully
suggest to the Commissioners the considera-
ton of the question of whether 1t is posi-
Washington Asylum grounds and to limit
the right of the public to pass through
these grounds At present the grounds are
not inclosed by any wall or fence, and many
persons, not connected with the institutions
and having business Herewith pass
through these grounds daily. Persons go
ing TO and from the disinfectng plant, the
parking commissions grounds, the small
poX hospital and the detention camp pass
through the grounds of the institution. In
deed, at present there is nothing to prevent
any person passing through these grounds
This condition of affairs is exceedingly
detrimental to the discipline of the insttu-
ton, and We respectfully suggest the con-
sideration Of a possible remedy by a proper
Enclosure OF the grounds, and probably by
arranging for entrance from B street for
the use of other Institutions, occupying part
OF this reservation.
Proposals for Street Lighting.
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