The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-21
Sub boom mite e Makes
Report Showing Need
Of Jail Reforms.
DANGER FROM FIRE
AND PESTILENCE
Sanitary Conditions Bad, Not
withstanding Recent Con-
struction of Building.
Lack Of Light and
Warmth Com
mented On.

mented On.
4 subcommittee Of the Council Com
mittec on Grounds and Buildings, recently
constituted To- inspect the City JAN, has
made report to the fun committee, con-
talniuc some rather interesting not to
say surprising. disclosures as 70 condi-
tions at the prison. The subcommittee
consisted OF Mcssrs w. #. Atkinson and
D. Francis Green.
Tho most serious complaints OF the con-
duct OF the Institution were as to the
lack 0f light and warmth therein. and
the substitution OF candles for gas. and
tho use OF newspapers TO keep out tho
cold and make the cells more habitable.
and the danger 20 inmates by reason OF
fires resulting from the proximity or In
hammabie material and exposed lights.
Perhaps even more startling Is the LA
huity 20 "a holocaust. when IL is consid-
cred that with 225 prisoners. all locked IN
oy an automatic locking device, which.
after being sprung is secured by pad
lock. only one man on duty at night and
one in the daytime understood the lock-
ing and unlocking process. IN the event
of the absence or negligence OF this one
man. and the outbreak OF fire. the pris-
oners would be like ats in a trap thrown
into a fire.
Situation Bad.
Tho committee further state that they
found the sanitary condition or tho iau
bad, although it il a new ian and that
the plumbing I'm some cases was such as
to prove Inefficient and liable TO promote
unnealthful and dangerous conditions.
Yesterday afternoon. when the full corn
mtttee met. ca communication was re-
ceiyed from the jail physician urging
proper ventilation. more light and heat
and better bathing facilities: the provision
on four rooms FOR the harmless insane,
the preparation OF TWO padded cells for
dangerous lunatlcs the padding 10 bs
rubber covered. so that IL CO be cIeansed.
The committee had 1898 LETT to the credit
OF the Jail account and ordered 500 ex-
pended for the cells for lunatics and S3S0
70 make certain Interior repairs and all
terations deemed requisite to put tha
Jail In proper and safe condition Further
action I'm the matter of requiring thS
sergeant to keep tho Jail we'll lighte6
and warmed is left 20 the Corporation
Court which has authority in the premi-
ses.
Text of Report.
The following is the report OF tho sub
committee made after an inspection OF ths
Jail:
Richmond. Va, Dec. 6. 1906
To the Committee on Grounds and
Buildings, City Hall. City:
OIentemen.-We, your subcommittee.
into the condition Of the city JAN beg
leave to report as follows:
we went over the building carefully
from top 10 bottom, and found the
building wei swept and fairly clean
nut we noticed number OF defects in
the buildings and In its managenlent
that should be speedily corrected
we examined first. the new stack
recently erected. which. far as we
could Judge seemed TO be we'll done
stilu worked properly, the building be-
liS suhclcntly heated throughout on
the bottom hoOr. IN the northwest cor
ief or the building. opposite Jail Al
ley whore the "bulI-Dcn'' Is located
we noticed that small amount OF
water mad percolated through the
western wall OF this cell. and aIthoilpb
this cell is not often called fnto mse
thls defect could be remedied bv open
ing 40 area on jail Alley, tlSsreby pre-
venting this dampness from coming
through the jail wall proper
~ was So dark on the bottom floor
on the building that It was absolutely
impossible 20 move about 81 4ao
o'clock I'm tho afternoon without fho
olu OF a torch, and II we had not hal
sl'ls Hsnt We would most certainly
li'1Ec svtten lost as il was necessary
Tor us 10 hold on to the iailer In
.hafse 70 hnd our way about and on
thlS point we would Recommend thar
Dolh IN the basement and thE0ushotir
tue building suhiciency of gas ho
used 70 properly lght tne building.
as parts oi the lail are absolutely I'm
utter darkness. on all the Other aoors
ms same scarcity OF light exists ow-
ins % mo fact that the jailcr in
charge told Us that if they used gas
th" hi.l would have TO be paid bv fhe
~ sergeant, and in the month az
s,,',..,t ,o"er nsd 80 consumed the large
amount or SlI Tor gas.
Danger From Fire.
We found 225 prisoners in the hpHd-
Ing az the time md "a proaf r.,.,,,i'--
or these used tallow candles vffhlr,
1ueir cells while eating their meals
ana reading. the use of whi.h world
AiRN DC necessary should q