Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-22
WOULD MOVE PRISON
FROM CITY TO COUNTRY
Commission Advocates One Board
for AL Penal and Rcforma-
tory Institutions.
MOVE GIRLS HOME TO LAUREL
Boys Now at Industrial School to
BE Placed on Large Farm-Op-
poses State Aid for Institutions
Not Under State Ownership,

Removal of tho State Ponitentiary
from Richmond to the State Farm, in
Goochland County. and the acquisition
OF the Laurel Industrial School for Boys
ny the state and the conversion Of the
latter TO house the inmates Of the Vir-
ginia Home and Industrial School for
Girls. now located in Chesterfield Coun.
~, are advocated by the commiss ion
appointed by the 1916 Legislature ia
formulate plans for the coordination
OF State reform and penal institutions
The report OF the commission was
presented to the General Assembly yes
terday. This report concludes with the
following recommendations:
l. That the proper steps be taken to
form board of FIVE members. two OF
whom shall he practical and successful
farmers. to be appointed by the Cow
ernor, subject to confirmation by the
Legislature, to be known as the State
board OF control TO take charge OF
and administer the affairs Of the Laurel
School for Boys, the Virginia Home
and School FOR Girls and such similar
institutions as the State may from time
TO time erect. When this board shall
have been appointed. qualified and
taken over the management OF the
Aforesaid institutions. the powers and
duties of boards now administering
them shall cease.
IDEAS and methods, less expensive
buildings be erected hereafter.
3. That hereafter no money be ap-
propriated for buildings or betterments
at any institution not owned by the
state.
4. We suggest that inasmuch as the
state appropriates large sums of money
for maintenance of the Negro Reforma :
tory for Boys and the Negro Reforma-
tory for Girls. this board OF control
should sit with the present boards Of
these institutions. and help to inaugu-
rate In them such general policies as
they may have found wise In similar
institutions under their control.
5. That the State take over the Laurel
Industrial School for Boys
6. That the boys be moved from this
plant and be placed in suitable quar-
tiers on larger farm.
Z. That the present plant of the vir-
Etnta Home and Industrial School for
Girls be sold and the girls be put on
the plant vacated by the boys.
8. That the State buy the farm Of
l.2so acres lying Immediately oppostte
the state Farm across the James River.
The removal OF the State Penitentiarv
to the State Farm or other luitable
farm, We believe, would be exccedinly
desirable. both from the standpoint OF
the good OF the inmates thereof and the
HHalSidi interests OF the state. The
present site and buildings would prob.
ably bring handsome price far in eS-
cess of any amount needed to erect
suitable buildings on the farm. Owing
to war stress and burdens we might
defer any action in this matter for the
present. In the meantime. we believe,
and SO recommend. that the necessary
steps be taken to have the State Con-
stitution SO amended as TO place the
penttentiary the State Farm, the
Laurel School for Boys. the Virginia
Home and School for Girls and all SINH
lar institutions that may hereafter be
erected for penal or reform purposes.
under one board. This board should not
exceed two In number and should be
composed OF thoroughly good bus.n . IS
men. at least two of whom should he
practical farmers. Their powers should
be Fixed by statute along lines indi-
Gated In the preceding part of this re-
port.
We desire to acknowledge our very
grateful appreciation OF the assistance
80 cheerfuily and fondly given OF DR..
j. L. Mastin, secretary OF the State
Board of Charities and Corrections. and
commend 10 the thoughtful considcra-
ton OF the State the splendid work OF
his department OF our government.
we do not feel that this report would
be complete without direct mention
or the great improvement made at the
Virginia Home and Schoo! for Girls, un.
der the administration Of its fine SUI
perintcndent, Miss Peterson. She and
The board deserve g-ca. credit for thr
work so well done at this ;ns,itu-
ton.