The Washington herald., 1909-01-12

be done at once toward remedying the
present defects in construction. increasing
its capacity. and providing a suitable
dining hail, so that the present system
OF feeding the prisoners can be done
away with
These recommendations have been re-
peated in each annual report UP 20 and in
cluding the one for 1S07.
1T is perfectly obvious that something
must be done. 1t Is not a question OF
whether. but Of what II we are 10 con
tinue. the present plan and system Il is
absolutely necessary 10 greatly enlarge
The present jail and the present work
house, and 10 invest large sums Of money
for that purpose.
apparently there are two ways open.
One is 70 temp0rize, 90 adhere 70 the
present plan. making such changes and
enlargements as are absolutely required.
extending The present jail erecting a new
wing in the wOrkh0use, but attempting
no advance upon the present penal sys-
TEN Under this plan We should continue
20 use the jail as we are now using II.
We should merely enlarge the present
wOrkh0Use so as 10 accommodate a larger
number.
The other way would be TO seize the
opportunity now presented for putting
the penal and correctional system Of the
District upon a proper and permanent
basis. adopting a plan that can be fol-
lowed and filed IN as years go by, no
matter how the city may grow or the
needs Of the system Increase
Reasons Are Given.
In giving its reasons for urging the
six sweeping reforms mentioned above
the commission devotes several pages TO
each recommendation. and begins by
stating that the jail should be turned
into g house OF detention; being used
only for the confinement OF accused per
sons il would not be regarded as a
prison. and its presence would be far
less Objectionable than II stands now, a
barrier 10 the extension OF NIassachu-
sets avenue.
1t should be turned into & commOdfous
building. and there is no reason Why
such an institution should not be archI-
teCtUraily attractive"
Commenting on the need Of a probation
system. the commission declares that
the District is woefuIly and shamefuIly
in need Of such legislation. and adds
that the general plan Of probation. aI
appliedA in other Jurisdictions. should ba
enforced In this municipality
The views OF experts IN penolOgy are
appended TO show that the probation
theory does not minimize the ofense, and
this part Of the report closes with the
recommendation that such a system be
sides proving Of benefit in a moral sense
70 Al.
eral times over in the financial point OF
view
That the District IS in need OF a re-
formatory that should be erected at a
safe distance from all public institU-
tons and widely removed from any penal
institution IS fOrcibly brought out. Il is
believed that II there were such an in
stitutiOn in the District. there are be-
tween 800 and 800 prisoners now confined
IN the jail, wOrkhOuse, or penitentiary,
who would be receiving the benefit OF its
course Of discipline and education.
The purchase OF a larse tract Of farm
land, either in the District. or in one OF
the adjoining States. is recommended by
the commission for the erection Of a new
and suitable workhOuse. where prisoners
may be prOftably employed. The COM
mission emphaucally holds that such pris-
Oners should not be unnecessarily degrad-
ed by marks OF badges Of shame or com
PEELED TO look upon themselves as beyond
hope.
A penitentiary for the District is not
recommended in the report because the
Commissioners believe that the number
OF penitentiary conviCts. never averaging
more than 200 IN any year, would not war
rant the expense Of such a building when
satisfactory arrangement can be made
with other Federal prisons through the
Department Of Justice. Another reason
why such a building is not requested is
that the commission earnestly hopes that
Congress viii enact the parole system
In Need of Parole.
The arguments presented in favor OF
the parole system are many, and the
commission devotes much space to this
subject in its report.
When a refOrmatOry and a new work
house shall have been established on the
lines here recommended a parole law
should be enacted in accordance and
should embrace, as we believe. a system
OF credits TO prisoners on account Of their
earnings" say the commissioners.
Following their extended list Of sug-
gestiOns the commissioners urge that
Congress Immediately appropriate a sum
sufficient for the District Commissioners
to purchase separate tracts Of land as
sites for a reformatOry and a new work
house, and for plans and specifications
for the buildings 10 be erected thereon
If this plan shall be adopted added
the committee. all those idle sentenced
prisoners may be put TO work with the
opening Of the coming spring. So strong
ly do we believe in the necessity Of I'm
mediate action that we have taken the
liberty OF submitting a draft of a bill
for the purpose"
Speaking Of the criminal conditions
peculiar to the District. the commission
points out that although the negro people
constitute one-third % the population,