Evening star., 1909-04-22
SAYS SYSTEM IS BAD
Maj. Judson Opinion After In
specting Workhouse.
TOO MUCH CONFINEMENT
Considers Virginia Camp Plan Better
Than District Method.
FAv0Rs ITS ADOPTION HERE
Engineer Commissioner Going to
Boston to Inspect Model
Institutions.
FAvoRs ITS ADOPTION HERE

THE District workhouse is pretty bad
place. declared Maj. William V. Judson.
Engineer Commissioner, this morning,
following an inspection of that institution
yesterday afternoon. Il wouldn't like to
be in it,, was his first reply when asked
by a Star reporter for his opinion. In
discussing 1t further. he compared the
methods of handling prisoners in the Dis
trict and in the Virginia convict camps"
which he visited a few days ago, and his
opinion was not favorable to the local in
stitution.
to have him live in the open air and with
a considerable opportunity for moving
around with shackle on his ankle than
10 lock him up in a small, almost air.
tight cell, in which he has little oppor-
tunity to move about. The Virginia
method of caring for prisoners appeals to
me as better for the men found guilty OF
crimes. and / think we will try to work
toward the same plan after the new re-
formatory and workhouse for the District
have been established.
Il was also impressed with the methods
or punishment used In the Virginia
camps. ! am in favor of punishment
which will In no way threaten the health
or sanity of the prisoner. In some pris-
ons think the methods of punishment
do threaten the prisoners physical condi
ton or his mental balance. / hope in
our new institutions here We will have
some methods Of proper discipline, and 1
think they will be an improvement on the
methods In vogue here and in many other
places at present"
Studying Methods.
AS the Engineer Commissioner is chair
man of the special penal commission in
charge of the plans for the reformatory
and workhouse buildings. and is, with the
other District Commissioners. to look after
the construction of the buildings. Maj.
Judson is studying prison matters with
thoroughness and care.
He will leave Washington this evening
for Boston, where he expects to inspect
the refOrmatory and workhouse, which are
regarded as models of penal institutions.
The jail commission, whose general plan
was adopted by Congress and is to be
carried out. spent some time at those in
stitutions and was much impressed with
the methods of handling prisoners in
vogue there. Maj. Judson therefore ex-
poets to learn from an inspection Of the
Boston prisons what to work for in the
District.
II may also take time to inspect school
buildings around Boston, while l am up
that way he said this morning. AS
Engineer Commissioner. he has charge of
the construction Of new school buildings
here and of their maintenance and re-
pair.
Selecting the Sites.
Next week, Maj. Judson said, he Will
visit several of the proposed sites for the
new penal institution. so that he can
make some definite recommendations to
the Commissioners. As a result of the
inspection trips now being made by Capt.
Markham, assistant to the Engineer Com
missioner and NJ. c. HaZen, District sur
veyor the unavailable or undesirable
sites offered to the District will be weeded
out and Capt Markham will probably
narrow the selection down to half dozen.