Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-04-28
JUDGE INOORSES
HOT CRITICISM OF /
DETENTION HOUSE
Thomas A. Davis Suggests Some
Improvements Which
Might Be Made.
ARCHITECT PUTS 1T UP
TO FREEHOLDERS' BOARD
Claims Building Met Approval!
Of Sheriff Harrigan's
Predecessor.

Following the exclusive story in yes
terday's EVENING STAR. in which
Sheriff William Iarrigan gave his rea-
sons for nottusing the new $4,000 House
Of Detention at the corner of New and
Newark streets which has been ready
for occupancy since early in March, but
has yet to house its first inmate, Judge
Thomas A. Davis today said:
II think some of Sheriff Harrigan's
criticisms of the building are well
founded. The sheriff is responsible for
the safe caretaking of the juvenile Of
Tenders and witnesses in his charge,
and must have a building capable OF
holding them without easy chances of
escape
However, l do think that IL a fence
were built around the lot on which the
building stands and bars placed on the
djning-rootn windows the building
would be available for use right now.
The building may not be ideal for the
purpose for which it was intended, but
1t certainly Is vast Improvement over
the conditions as they exist today.
We ought. to make as much of 1t as
possible. aaa
Mcbride Explslns.
1t was on the Recommendation of ex-
Sheriff Frank H. Sommer that the
House of Detention was decided upon
by the Board of Freeholders in 1907. 1t
is said by those conversdnt with affairs
at that time that Mr.. sommer had
practically the entire say and last
word as to the plans finally adopted
David A. Mcbride. freeholder from
East orange, who was member of the
building committee in June. 1908, when
the plans for the House Of Detention
as prepared by J. O'Rourle s. Sons
were adopted, said IT remember very
we'll that Mr.. SoInmer. then sheriff
consulted with the committee many
times while; the different plans were
under consideration. There were. sew
eral different schemes of buildings pro-
posed three In all, think. The one
finally adopted by the board had the
full approval of Mr.. Sommer."
At the office of j. O'Rourke & Sons,
architects for the building, it was said
that Mr.. Sommer conferred with them
many times about the plans, was much
interested In the building, and made
many suggestions for the construction
of the building, all of which were fol-
lowed in the final plans which were
adopted by the freeholders"
Speaking further on the House of De
tention, Judge Davis said:
~ "The original idea for the House of
Detention was for a place where the
county could keep female witnesses and
juvenile offenders. II was built under
an act passed In 1908. That act pro-
syides for a house of detention for
Juvenile offenders and witnesses. 1t
does not specify that the building
should only be used for female wit
nesses.
Judge Puzzled.
.sThere are only from two to ten
female witnesses on an average held
in our jails, while the number of juys-
nile Offenders under arrest is few. in
humber, and then they are only de-
tafned for short time, as rule.
do not know just what l viii do about
: sending witnesses To the house. will
have to talk the matter over with
Judge Ten Eyck and Sheriff Harrigan
before decide what to do.
zone thing certainly should be done
At once, that it the obtaining Of the
vacant property now to the east of
the House Of Detention at the corner
of Wilsey and New streets. This prop
erty is needed to protect what we al
ready have In the House of Detention
lot, and will have to be obtained sooner
,sor later when either new building IL
erected of additions bui1t to the pres
ent one
S Judge Davis would not, at the pres
Ant time discuss the adyisability OF
putting lmale witnesses in the same
dormitories and assembly rooms with
Juvenile offenders 1T was not the
original purpose of the building to de-
tain male witnesses there and 1 do
not know that Sheriff Harrigan intends
to keep them there after such changes
as he desires made to the house and he
takes formal possession he said.