The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-09-02

r~hy WAI nqu1prc0-CIOSer Med.
ical Inspections and More Attention
Desirable.
Our score card report on the Sumter
county Jail, based on our inspections
and attached hereto, shows a total
score Of so1 points out OF possible
1000. grouped under three main
heads:
4. Jail Plant: Permanent Features.
Under this first head only 223 out
OF possible 4o0 are allowed. This
score is due primarily to insufficient
ventilation Of the prisoners quarters,
very inadequate facilities for separat-
ing the different classes of prisoners.
rather poor sanitary facilities, and
cells Of very undesirable type. To
make the fundamental structural
changes In the jail really necessary to
Improve these conditions materially
would involve an expenditure of pub
lie funds likely to be possible only on
the public's demand. In the mean.
time. however. We strongly urge that
the following improvements be made
Il once. E1t
Since Sumter county Is preparing to
build . new Jail plant. we withhold ali
suggestions for Improvement of the
present inadequate jail plant.
II. sherta's ManasemenA Of the Saii.
Increasing the score under this sec-
tion is entirely In the hands of the
sheriff and his jailer. who. as tho To-
sal custodians Of the JAN and the pris.
oners. are primarily responsible for the
conditions considered here. 1t should
be noted under this head that the
jailer II making good use. OF the poor
facilities at his disposal for separating
the prisoners, that he IL performihk
his duties In general very well, and
that his method Of discipiining and
keeping the prisoners occupied Il
GOOD. TO enable the sheriff and jailsr
to increase their score further. we sug-
gesk that they
CD Get the people Of the COM
munity 70 visit the Jail and taks d
greater interest III its management
and conditions In It. Account quarter
y to the Board of COMMISSIONER for
supplies received. used. and on hand,
making At the same tinae written re-
requisition for supplies, needed dur
ing the following quarter.
CD Enlarge the records kept of
the prisoners to include the race, sex
and age Of each one Of them.
(S Keep the prisoners quarters
cleaner: securing the floors and steel
cell work weekly: have the bed cover
Ing used by the prisoners washed
monthly; keep the toilet and bathing
fixtures cleaner.
(D Require each prisoner to bathe
himself within twelve hours after he
10 committed to the jail and to annoint
his person with verminicide. when
It Is suspected that he may be infested
with vermin. Make provisions for
having the underclothing Of the pris-
oners washed weekly and, after It is
furnished by the county board of
commissioners. see that each new pris-
oner gets clean outnt Of clothing to
wear while in jail.
(5) Provide prisoners infected with
syphilis with separate bed and bed
ding at all times and separate table
utensils.
ts) Serve three meals day to the
prisoners instead of two, and give them
fresh meat twice a week with more
vegetables and wheat bread than at
present.
III. County Commissioners and the
jail.
bettering conditions under this head
Ia the responsibility of the county COM
missioners. The supervisor and his
board Of commissioners are to be COM
mended for the care they have shown
In coupling the present inadequate
jail and the good repair in which
they have kept the building. This Is
shown by the fact that we are allow
Ing liz out Of possible 200 points to
them under this head. Though the
jail was in pretty good repair when
inspected and the equipment fairly
adequate. the medical service should
be Increased. Specifically. we suggest
that the county board of commits
u Require professional service of