The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-12-11
JAIL NEEDS REPAIRS
STATE BOARD FINDS CHESTER.
FIELD COUNTY PRISON
WOEFULLY OUT OF
FIX
Credits Mr.. J. T. Grant With MANAGE.
ment Above Average, But
Finds Fault With
Condition OF
Building

the State Board of Charities and Cor
rections visited Chesterfield and in.
vestigated conditions at the jail
! In the official report, just issued by
4, the Secretary, G. Croft Williams
there is evidence that the commission
was much dissatisfied with the condi-
ton of the building, but gives jailor
j. T. Grant credit for good manage
ment, under existing conditions.
Following is the report in full:
Mr.. j. T. Grant, jailor. Visited
December 8, 1919, by assistant See
retary Broyles. Population two white
men and three negro men.
The active management of the
Chestereld Jail by the jailor is above
the average, but the plant is wocfully
out of repair, and needs considerable
work upon it to make 1t decently use
able. To begin with, nearly all the
window glass is out of the prison sec
ton and the prist ners are pathetic as
they hug small stove in their efforts
to keep moderately warm. In spite
of the State law requiring the COM
plete separation Of the races in coun-
ty jails, the negroes and whites are
compelled to crowd together around
the stove. None of the hammocks,
iron beds, or springs laid on the floor
have mattresses on them, and there
are not sufficient blankets to serve
hptb onI cnuar;n,r rrb,,
prisoners undoubtedly suffer severe
iy when the weather is extremely
cold. Most of this condition could be
remedied by putting glass in all the
window sash.
The toilets are in bad repair, es-
pccially the one in the main prison
section, which leaks on the floor con-
stantly, and does not properly flush.
The water rusts the steel and in ad-
dition to the filththiness of the floor
it is poor economy to allow the steel
to rust out for want of necessary re-
pairs to plumbing.
We recommend that cotton pad
mattresses be purchased for the ham,
mocks, beds, etc, and that these mat
tresses be covered with slip covers
made of heavy canvass, to protect
them from wear and to keep them
clean.
We recommend that one of the
small cell on the second floor be pad
dcd, in order to provide proper and
safe place in which to house insane
persons until they can be brought to
the State Hospital. 1t is dangerous
and cruel to confne them in a steel
barred cell, against the walls of which
they may seriously hurt themselves.
Finally, some means ought to. be
provided for getting more water into
the Jail. The jailor reports that the
present supply is inadequate and says
that he is seldom able to have the
Jail secured because the present we'll
does not furnish sufficient water.
Since our 1918 inspection the Com
missioners have built new fence
around the rear of the Jail, but the
gates are allowed to remain open
most of the time and visitors
talk to the prisoners through the
rear window. We believe there is
constant danger of some outsider
passing a weapon, a tool for filing or
| digging out, or even key to the
prisoners inside, and therefore we
recommend that back yard be
kept closed, and that no persons be
allowed to communicate with prison.
crs under any circumstances except
in the presence of the jailor, or ex-
cept as may be provided by law for
legal advisers.
G. CROFT WILLIAMS,
Secretary
State Board of Charities and Correc-
tions.