Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-27
COORDINATE CONTROL
OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS
Legislative Committee Urges One
Board for State Farm, Laurel and
Girls Industrial School.
HEFoRMAToRY ON DIG FARM
Recommends Purchase or 1900
Acre Tract on James River, Oppo-
site State Farm and Transfer of
Girls School to Laurel.

Coordination OF State penal institu-
lions and rcformatories Is a policy
earnestly advocated in the report sub
mitted to the General Assembly by
the special legislative committee au-
thorized by the session OF 1916 to In
NestiSate the feasibility of the pro-
posal This committee consists Of
senator Julien Gum. OF licnrico:
Senator Saxon w. Holt OF NcwDort
News. and the following members OF
the House OF Delegates: DR.. &. H. Roi-
ston. OF Rockingham: Philip Murray.
81 Newport News. and Harry &. Beat
tic. Of Henrico.
eent time that the State Farm. the
Laurel Industrial School for Boys and
me Industrial School for Girls. located
IN Chesterfield. DO placed under tho
management OF one board. Recon-
mendation Is made that the State ac-
qutro tho Tucker farm. sometimes re-
icrred TO as the AcDonough tract. con-
sistinS Of 1000 acres. and located on
inc James River, In Powhatan County
directly opposite the State Farm: that
The Laurel refornatory be removed 20
this location. and that. instead OF
erecting tho extensive buildings neces-
sary TO it's expansion at the present
location OF the Industrial School for
Girls in Chesterfield. this institution
De removed to the present quarters of
Tho Laurel rcformatory.
Tho rcasone advanced by tho COM
nittea seem sound. and appear to be
based upon the real needs OF tho in
st!tutions affected. The Laurel re-
formatory now houses $50 hoys prac-
ticaliy all OF whom may be usefuliy
employed, and much to their own bene-
ht. In farm work. The Laurel farm
consists OF only 115 acres, and much OF
the best OF the land is occupied by the
buildings and Fairgrounds. 1t is not
deemed by agriculturaiists az a good
farming proposition. Last year out
side land was rented. and very con-
siderable improvement secured in re-
suits. while the boys co-operatcd with
farmers for miles around in harvest
ing the crops. the results proving
highly gratifying TO the farmers ano
helpful to tho boys.
SHOULD DE LOCATED OS
LARGE TILIABLE ACREAGE
The legislative committee believes
that il will be most excellent move
on the part OF the State 10 locate the
refornatory on an adequate acrcaE.
or good farming land. feeling that il
VIII mako the institution moro than
oeif-supporting. while proving of great
value In developing into useful men
the boys committed to the reformatory
The state has an option on the Tucker
trac. at $4,000
Tho transfer OF the girls school TO
Laurel and tho taking over OF that
property entirely by the State Will
mean that. without expense the State
viii have an institution which will not
only accommodate tho young women
VINO arc now inmates Of tho Chester
ho!d institution. but will also provide
Tor the large number OF young women
held in detention homes and il jalis
because there is now no room for them
A. the Industrial SCHOOL, Tho Laurel
institution is thoroughly equipped. and
rs taking over by v'the state means
mat the Commonwealth will be get
ting property said to be worth $3.50
900 without cost il now being owned
ny tn" corporation formed years ago
10 meet tho needs for such an institu-
ton for toye. the owners being will
ing 10 transfer IL In fe- to the state
II * held rs the committee that
these institutions should DC. and car
be. made entirely self-supportlns and
with great benefit 10 the inmates and
that each can help the other n many
ways. especially BY the exchange O..
products
Not AN AGsPICIoUs TIME
To NEN0EE pENYTENTfARY
While favoring the policy OF inciud-
Ing the State Pcnitentiary eventually
In the plan Of coordination. the com
m;itcc does no; regard this rs an au-
sptciouS time to make change In
that connection. 1t favors, however.
the ultimate removal Of the peniIcn-
tiary 10 the state Farm in Goochland
and the disposal OF the pcuilcn,iary
here. The committee does no, regard
u advisable under existing real estate
market conditions TO offer tho pcnl-
Tertiary site for sale, or. win labor
and material conditions as al prcsert
10 undertake the necessary improve.
ments a, the state Farm transfer
thereto would mako necessary.
II j. anticipated by tho committee
that the operation If the stat. Farm
mean that much better resuits can hc
obtained thercfron, while the fac,
that thu rcfo-matory boys might br
drawn On To aid in tie work there
would mean the release 10 the road
force OF many OF the able -bodico
prisoners generally cmploy.d IN ,ne