Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-29
PRISONS ALL CROWDED
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS PREVAIL
IN THE DISTRICT.
Capacity of the Jail, Workhouse and
Reform School, Respectively,
Heavily Taxed.

All TIE penal institutions in the District
to which are sent the local law breakers
are filed to their capacity, and those in
charge of each of the institutions are kept
busy In providing accommodations for
those committed to their care by the local
courts.
The number of prisoners at the jail dur
ing the past two weeks has been greater
than was ever known before in the lnstitu
tons history. Previous to the present the
largest number that had quarters there
was 531, but about two weeks ago the pop
ulation of the institution rose to J67. Judge
Kimball of the Police Court was notified
then that practically every cell in the jail
was occupied by two persons, and that the
accommodations were so taxed that it
would be necessary to find some other place
for the committed prisoners. At that time
the number of offenders daily presented to
the Police Court for trial was large. and
every day saw heavy increases to the num-
Der of Jail inmates, which more than offset
the releases for each day. The present
number of inmates is $50.
Natural Sequence.
There was natural result to follow such
a practfce-the rapid filling of the work
house. The regular flow of prisoners to
the workhouse from the District branch of
the court was keeping the institution about
full, it was stated. and when several Of
tenders from the other branch of the
court were daily added the institution soon
filed UP. At the present time as result
there are $50 persons confined in the work
house. When it Is considered that there
are only about 256 cells in which to ac-
commodate this number. it will be seen
that there is some crowding.
In the new building there are 142 cells,
which are used to good advantage, and IN
the old workhouse there are about 100 cells.
In this old part, in the less number of
cells, there are now accommodated ABOUT
as many prisoners in the new building.
Superintendent Zinkhan stated that the
need of the new workhouse, which is now
being built, and which will have 1870 new
cells, is especially noted
The Boys Reform School, it is stated,
has within It's precincts about 240 inmates,
and on account of the first last winter.
which destroyed one of the main build
ings, the accommodations are limited.
While this Number Is not large the
number which has previously been in the
institution, there are as many inmates as
can properly be cared for.
Solution Difficult.
Just how to account for these conditions
is somewhat difficult. even for those off,
Gals who watch the police records. In the
summer time. as general rule it is
stated. there are more arrests than at any
other time. People seem to be prone to
more irritalbility during the hot weather.
and more liquor Is used at that season. All
that 1t is claimed. mokes mere worry for
the man In the blue coat. and causes more
arrests. The business transacted in the
Police Court In summer Is twice that done
In the winter, and In this natural run OF
thingss 1t Il explained. the Jail and work
house will be more populous In summer
than In winter. But why the jail and
the officials say. by the greater population
in the city and the greater activity of the
police In controlling the disorderly eie-
ments.