The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-01

waier). combine to render II highly
probable that person SO confined
will lose his reason. especially as this
form OF punishment Is almost exclu-
sively used for the negroes. a race
peculiarly susceptible to nervous
fears. and easily overcome by their
emotions. We most earnestly protest
of barbarIsm. and suggest that some
more humane form of punishment be
substituted
Not Enough Food.
The prisoners have breakfast at
1880, dinner at 1880, and nothing more
until the next breakfast. We do not
consider this sufficient food. The
jailer is allowed is cents apiece per
day for his prisoners food. This
should enable him to supply them
with three meals day. The report
of the penitentiary for the last year
shows that the amount spent on the
food of each prisoner there was 81
cents per day. and It the almshouse
IT Is IL cents per day. and In both
these institutions they are given
three meals, and at the almshouse. at
least. the supply is most generous.
every inmate being allowed as much
as he wants.
When we inquired concerning the
offenses for which the prisoners are
sentenced, we learned that the only
record kept is that prisoner Is
charged with felony or committed
for misdemeanor, as the case may
We would advise that the State
board should make an effort 20 secure
Hesitation requiring that each pris-
ed as having been convicted of or
charged with some specific offense
very definitely stated.
Need Information.
In 81 EFFORTS ct improving condi
tons tho first step is the securing of
Information. The knowledge of how
many and what offenses arc committed
In n given period, and how often n
given person is convicted OF the same
as these are OF the first Importance in
any work looking to scientific treat
ment of crime. The fault lies with
the court II full statistics are sent
to the taller. he Will keep the record.
The additional labor to each Is but
small and the good to be obtained is
great. We desire to indorse very cor
daily the ordinance now under CON
'lehr. OF the city Council Of Richmond.
concerning the employment OF prison
ers. Such legislation is much needed
and the plan suggested is practical
Ing sentenced to the penitentiary are
kept In the jail from one to thirty
days. This means An additional term
or incarceration not contemplated in
the sentence, and Legislation looking
to the correction of this condition is
needed.
We strongly recommend the en-
ployment of "A female probation officer
for the benefit OF female and juvenile
In closing we desire to express our
appreciation of the courtesy shown us
by the CITY Sergeant and his deputies.
Such recommends tons as we have
made in no way reflect upon his man
agement. He is doing his best under
the conditions as he finds them There
Is need TO remedy these along the
lines suggested.
The AImshouse
The almshouse IS. as heretofore.
place OF spotless cleanliness. and the
spirit OF kindness on the part OF
the officials Is conspicuous There are
many feeble old people to whom this
CITY Home is the only shelter nos.
sihle and for such the accommodate
ttons arc perhaps sufficient, The city
provides shelter and ample food of
very simple kind. nut the lack of any
occupation for those who arc unable
10 do the cleaning and sewing. cook.
ing and heavy work, makes active in.
ierest on the part of the benevolent
important,
There are religious services held
with more OF less frequency. but tho
practical cheer and help witch would
come from systematic visits Of henev-
olent organizations and individuals Is
tho most conspicuous need of the in
rtitution.
visit to the almshousc in the sum
mer when the white female side atona
was inspected revealed the presence
women. or these seven had had
thirty-three children. Nineteen OF
these are dead. Tho remaining four
teen are of necessity degenerates.
Breed Feeble Minded.
One little boy of nine was in the
tlmshouse, sent there because there
pas no other place to keep him. His
Gather and mother arc both feeble
minded and he is plainly degenerate
morally.
If this Is the condition of affairs
m tho Richmond almshouse. is IL
not reasonable TO estimate that every
almshouse in the state can add some
thing to the sum OF Altman misery
,aused by the failure to segregate the
feeble minded? Is II not time to uaa
II least some effort to secure an in
: Intuition where persons OF feeble mind
l nay be cared for and made self sup
! lorting while they are protected from
I he sin Of increasing their kind?
The number Of maternity cases calls
Or grave consideration. The children
/ prn in the almshouse rarely remain
, nth their mothers. Is not this a sub
.ct worthy the careful thought of the
S late board?
blH the HillSnpuSe. as At the Jail, we
r. t,eived most courteous treatment, and
e. Merry effort was made to answer fully
{ 10 questions asked.
Summary OF Recommendations.
~. Need OF Jail yard and employ
u Ent for prisoners,
Il. A place for the isolation OF con-
Il yious diseases
b. Daily visit from JAN physician and
e. iiployment OF an Mterne.
l4. Tho abolition OF the dungeon.
10. The prisoners should have three
m balls a day.