The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-12-19
Commission Would Also Sepa-
rate States Insane Charges
and Criminals.
ASYLUM FOR INEBRIATES
ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION
Inmates of Penal Institutions
Should Not Be Idle, DR..
Wight Says.
Especial to the Evening Star

TRENTON, Dec. 19.-The establish
ment of a woman's reformatory, the
separation of insane ~convicts from
other inmates Of correctional institu-
lions, the establishment of an asylum
for inebriates and steps looking
toward the ultimate care of tubercu-
lar persons with a view of l~essening
the ravages of that disease are sug-
gestions in the annual report of Com
missioner DR.. George B. Wight, of the
Department of Charities and Correc-
ton, just submitted to Governor Fort.
DR.. Wight shows that in the charita-
bic institutions of New Jersey there
are 6,769 inmates, and in the correc-
tional 2,722. This with the 724 inmates
of the Soldiers Home makes a total of
1925, an increase of 62s over the pre-
ceding year.
DR.. Wight says:
"A woman's reformatory has been
urged for several years. l have here
tofore called attention to this matter,
but without recommendation. because
the necessity did not seem so great
sS llOMs ouIt dill lIfSllllLlDl, II GSLdD-
Ished, should be for females of II
years of age and over, and the change
in the age of commitment to the Girls
Home from is to 10 be restored to its
former maximum. and offenders above
hat age sent to the proposed reforma-
tory.
II further suggest thai this institu-
ton be located, If possible, upon the
st-n1 taanr axr.ya4I hsr tho Gtnt4 a,Al
adjacent to some of the large institu-
tions, and that it have considerable
tillable LAND about it. The inmates
should be required to work.
The report states that it does not
seem right to compel men who were
good citizens of the State until they
became insane to associate in wards,
dining-rooms and recreation grounds
with criminals, and suggests that a
suitable building for insane convicts
is needed, and could be erected at mod
crate expense on the grounds of the
State Hospital and under its manage
ment.
DIR. Wight advises that the SANTA
rum at Glen Gardner would do. an i'm
portant work IL 1t will in the car of
patients by sending them out as
trained nurses to care for those who
are gathered in the local camps and
hospitals.
DR.. Wight deplores the overcrowded
condition of the women's wing at the
State prison, and again suggests that
for economy a central power plant
and dining-room be established. He.
commends the State Home for Boys in
Jamesburg, and also the State Home
for Girls in this city.
OF prison labor ne says: "I strongly
oppose the inmates of the penal insti-
tutions spending their terms in idle
ness. Every man physically able
should be compelled to work stately,
and out of his earnings the State
should receive the cost of his board
and his conviction, reserving the re-
mainder for the support of his family,
or to be paid to him upon his release.
I do not favor contract work in the
l~eformatory at Railway, but the young
men should be taught suitable trades
by which they can earn a livelihood
upon their release"
DIR. Wight speaks favorably of the
management of the State hospitals in
Trenton and Morris Plains, State
Home for Minded Women.
Training School for Predetermined
Girls and Boys, State Village for Epi-
leptics, soldiers and county asylums.