The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-04-29

The grand jury empanelled for the
April term, 1910, OF the Wayne Circuit
court, to inquire within and for the
body OF said same county, respectfully
report that in compliance with the
laws of this state and your instruc-
tions, we have inspected and examined
all OF the public institutions of said
county as to their condition. needs and
requirements.
I'VE first inspected the Home for
the Friendless and found that institu-
tion in excellent condition 1t Is
clean and In nearly perfect sanitary
condition and the inmates are being
we'll cared for. We have no recon-
mendations whatever to make in re-
gard to the management of this insti-
tuition. 1t Is well provided with all
necessary equipment and conveniences
for the proper care Of the inmates.
I'VE next inspected the county Jail
and found 1t In as good condition as
possible, under the circumstances. The
jail Is old, poorly constructed and ar
ranged and is inconvenient for the
handling and keeping of prisoners.
The ventilating system and facilities
are very poor and can not be improved
without an entire reconstruction of the
jail. The water closets are old and
out of date, but are kept in as good
condition az possible. considering their
reconstruction. The entire jail was
found to be In very excellent condition
clean and sanitary.
I'VE wish to again emphasize the
necessity of providing some method to
compel prisoners to work while in con-
finement in the county jail. At pres
ment of prisoners, but the sheriff has
no means Of compelling prisoners to
work. Many prisoners absolutely re-
fuse to do any work and regard the
county Jail as q convenient place to
spend the winter months. There is no
place where these prisoners can be put
in solitary confinement as a punish
ment for disobedience. We recon-
mend that two cells be thrown to-
gether and isolated from the remain
der of the jail with necessary toilet
equipment, SO that prisoners can be
put In solitary confinement upon q
diet of bread and water, II necessary.
I'VE do not recommend, however,
the construction Of work-house addi-
ton to the Jail, or q total reconstruc-
ton OF the jail at this time. There Is
now considerable opinion among the
people who are interested in the mat
ter of the care OF prisoners that work
house system should be inaugurated by
the state by means of districts; that is.
that there should be work-house pro-
vlded for each OF several districts
comprising several counties each. 1t
Is probable that this matter will be
worked out by the state at some time
IN the future.
Eve next visited the county infirm-
airy. We found the conditions there
generally good. The present superin-
tendent has taken charge Of his work
with business methods. This institu-
tion was found to be clean and AZ san
ltary as the present physical condition
of the property will admit. We found
the inmates well dressed, clean and
comfortable, and We noted no dissatis-
faction among any Of them.
I'VE found the facilities for taking
care OF the helpless inmates entirely
inadequate. Those inmates who are
not able to get about and care for
themselves are confined In large
room. This room is not provided
with any water closet or toilet room,
and we recommend that two toilet
rooms, provided with water closets, be
constructed, one each. upon the first
and second floors Of the mems building
In the large wards where the helpless
inmates are confined. The duties and
responsibilities of the superintendent
are SO great that he and his family are
not able to give these helpless inmates