The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-07
INSPECTOR BUSH WANTS SKYSCRAPER Condemns Jefferson Jail In Se-
 we're Terms
FINDS MANY OBJECTIONS
State Prison Inspector Believes That If New Courthouse Is Built Jail Should Be On the Upper
 Floor.

The board of revenue yesterday re- ceived from Governor Comer'a copy of the report of State Prison Inspector 0. F. Bush on the Jefferson county jail and almshouse The inspector strongly con- demns the prison and recommends that new one be erected. Most favorable comment Is passed upon the almshouse.
 In his recommendations Dr. Bush sug- gests that skyscraper courthouse be erected by Jefferson county, the top sto- ries of such building to be used for jail purposes. Dr. Bush points out that such a plan would remove the danger of mob violence and escapes, improve the ventila- ton and amount to a removal of the prison from the section of the city where there is so much objection to 1t as 1t now stands
 Dr. Bush's report follows in full. State of Alabama, Department Inspection
 Jails, Cotton Mills, Etc
 Hon. B. B. Conner, Governor of Alabama.
 Montgomery, Ala.
 Sir: On April 8, 1909, inspected the jail and almshouse of Jefferson county and submit you herewith my report, as re- quired by section 7215 of the criminal code.
 Confined in the jail were ITS prisoners (26 white men and white women, 125 ne- gro men and 25 negro women), all in fair ly good health.
 Two meals are served daily. I found some complaint among a few of the pris- oners, but the greater number of them expressed themselves as being satisfied with the food. I talked to the sheriff about this and he promised to eliminate all complaints as far as possible.
 The ventilation is by windows only and is exceedingly poor.
 The building is heated by steam, which Is about the only feature in connection with the entire Jail that Is satisfactory
 Water for all purposes is from the city water works. In the basement of the main building there is a valve which con trols the supply This valve is opened atinterva's during the day and all fixtures throughout the jail are flushed; then the water is turned off again. This Is very bad arrangement Some closets are flushed when not needed thereby causing a waste of water, and others have to go for hours without flushing when needed, thereby making it very unpleasant and even dan gerous for the prisoners and causing a bad odor to pervade the entire building.
 There are no facilities for bathing ex- cept in the basement, and prisoners have to be taken from their cells and car ried there. There are separate arrange ments for men and women--shower baths and a few tubs for men. and shower baths only for women. The tubs are old and unsightly, all the enamel being worn off, leaving them black and very insanitary.
 The basement, where the bathrooms are located, is dark and damp, poorly venti- lated, and dimly lighted. There is an open vent pipe in the basement from which sewer gas escapes.
 This jail is entirely too small for the needs of Jefferson county. and while it Is very secure against the escape of prisoners, this Is about all that can be said for it. The general arrangement is very poor, and owing to it's poor ventia- tion imperfect plumbing and sewerage, together with it's very crowded condition, 1t Is about as insanitary a place as could be imagined.
 
 are three tiers of cells, with IS cells to the tier for white men, two tiers, with 12 cells each. There is a separate build ing used exclusively for women, with kitchen and storeroom adjoining, negroes upstairs and whites downstairs. These apartments are in very good condition. All the plumbing and connections are new. There Is no cell work in any part of this building. The upstairs, or negro female apartment. Is very badly crowded. The kitchen and storeroom were in a very satisfactory condition.
 The grounds around the jail are in a very satisfactory condition. All the space in the yard, between the walls of the building and the wall which surrounds 1t, is concreted; the drainage is good, and 1t Is kept cleanly
 The jail and premises are kept in as good condition by the sheriff as is possi- ble under the very unfavorable circurn- stances; and the Board of Revenue is lending its aid to make the old structure habitable until another can be provided
 On the same day I visited the aims house, where I found conditions general ly very satisfactory, under tho manage ment of MT. w. l.. Taylor as superin- tendent.
 There is an average of about 60 inmates, whose health is about what would be ex- pected of people of this class.
 Three meals are served daily, of which I found no complaint.
 This is probably the most thoroughly equipped institution of its kind in the state, having a perfect system of water works and sewerage and all modern con veniences.
 There are some 30 acres of land in con nection. all of which Is cultivated, and tho product goes to the maintenance of tho institution. Ths county owns and keeps several head of cows, furnishing milk and butter to the inmates.
 Besides the superintendent, there is a matron and an assistant. several nurses, - . llr rIlJIuII