Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-19
.UNWH0LES0ME HOMES
CAUSE OF DELINQUENCY
Report Of State School for Girls Pre-
scnts Study of Economic
Conditions.
AVERAGE AGE is MUCH HIGHER
Would Employ Probation Officer to
Supervise Girls Discharged From
Institution and Aid i'm Securing
Suitable Forms OF Employment

Cnwholesome home conditions. not
dangers that arc commonly believed
to dog young girls i'm their working
environment. arc held by the board
of directors Of the Virginia Home and
Industrial School for Girls. chiefly re-
Sponsiblc for tn. moral delinquency Of
the charges committed to their care.
The indictment is made by the insti-
tutfon's committee ON admissions and
dismissals the report OF which forms
part OF the second annual report OF
the home. filed yesterday with Cover
nor stuart. 1t rcvows the progress
of the institution during the fiscal
year ended september 20. 1916.
After presenting detailed tables
showing the parcnt;tGc and economic
condition of the girls at the home be-
fore their commitment. the report con
tinucs:
"A study of tho tables reveals the
ia't That not upon amy specific work
ms. financial or social conditions,
must be laid the whole blame OF
our female delinquency problem. our
girls come to us from every trade. from
our schoolrooms. nan% from homes ma, :
tcrially comfortable. from city town
ana country. The fathers are trained
workm.n. The mothers arc living at
no'gl' flGnl oil our rl~ tIlI 40
out to work at all rhcs. facts point
AN accusing finger at our homes. hence
10 the crumhling foundations If our
whole social order. Preventative work
done mere by church. State and ind,-
vidral Will diminish greatly the need
OF curative work through our insti-
tutions.
SUGGESTS EMPLOYMENT
OF PAROLE OEf'iCER
use by other schools OF like nature
your committee has arrived a, the
conclusion that without "a unit In one
OF our cities from which our girls. who
cannot he returned To their homes. may
secure employment and thus gradually
be restored TO their place in the social
oraer under the supervision, guidance
and discipline OF one OF our star
any parole system viii bc in q large
measure failure. AS the success OF
oar work depends ultimately upon tn.
success o! our parole system. your
committee recommends. al the earliest
moment. sufficient financial nelp can
be secured either from the state or
other interest sources:
The employment OF n parole officer
whose entire time can be given TO
III" investigation OF causes Of dcliu-
qu cnoA and TO the supervision OF girls
paroled Ia relatives.
IhG purchase II! some city OF the
State Of :, lu:iGinr suitable fot use as
the last unit ~ our plan for restoring
= society saved In body. mind and
spirit, such OF her delinquent girls as
size commits 10 cur care"
st.r OF ,oiIMJIM I:NT
NON, NttiI HIGHER
According to Chairman EcDcr, I.ccliy.
j. =! the tug:d 4. trustees, TIN. insii-
tuition has at present fity-ou- inmates
During the year. ciSutccu new Gii,S
were admitted, eleven We're parolcd.
eighteen were transferred TO other IN
siltuiions and ,wo were discharged
The average age OF commitment is
getting higher" reports Supcrintend-
ent Anna NJ. Peterson. "A year ago
the average age at commitment was
nitcen years, whi!Si the average age
OF those committed during the past
twelve months Is sixteen and two-th!rtis
years. This means that we are getting
girls who are Older and who arc an.
preaching the end OF the formative
period.
''rhe Younger a girl comes To us. the
NOR" hopeful j. her case and the great
or possibility Of her complete refornia-
ton. This r9c in age is III part the
result Of the establishment Of the Ju-
vcnilc and Domestic Relations Court in
Richmond and The Improvement of the
work being done throughout the state
liz social service.
Agencies caring for children o-e
realizing more and more that every
child has IN" right to II family home
until ihc absolute futility Of that plan
In her especial case has bcn1 demon
siratcd. and not until every otter means
, Of restoring her 10 Socicty has been
tried is she sent to :, disclrIinarv
/ -chool such as th;s"