Evening journal., 1920-01-16
Workhouse Trustees Deny
Grand Jury Structure


cets or moving about the halls, and
report to the deputy, in writing, any
Tolatlon Of rules or breach OF disci-
pine among the prisoners.
1T was also provided that The con-
vlcts must no. be allowed TO lock or
unlock doors or gates anywhere aDou'
The institution.
we would also particularly can YOU
attention TO Rule II. under "lhe pu'ies
OF the warden as follows
"Ile must not permit the prisoners
10 De together at any time Wlthoul
proper supervision OF an oihcer.
IN relation 20 the complaint In the
presenlment made by the Tand jury as
TO insufficient lighting IN the MoFA,
house. we desire TO say that contract
had already been given and WORK com,
menced prior % the escape OF Leuiuel
Price or the report Of the grand jury
10 your honors, for the installation OF
means Of supplying greater power IOt
this purpose. With this added current
we can take care OF the additional lislts
recommended.
"The presentment OF the grand jury
also charges that more guards should
have been appointed for workhouse du-
ties. In answer to this, we desire 10
saw. as previously stated. that the war
den had full power and authority 10
recommend The appointment OF guards
that al no time was any request made
by the warden for the appointment OF
any extra guards TO the board or trus-
ices that was not fully compiled With.
In addition, when Guard Hastings re-
signed from the Institution in November
last the warden was asked by the trus-
fees. whom he desired 20 recommend TO
take the place Of Guard Hastings, ana
he Informed the trustees that he Thought
Il would not be necessary at that tlme'
20 appoint any additional guard, as the
population had greatly decreased dur
ing the last year and there were prac-
tlcally the same number Of guards as
when the greater number OF prisoners
were confined 10 the workhouse ana
no escapes from the jail proper took
nlace In fact, we desire 10 call your
bonor's attention 90 the fact that dur
ing the last four years there has Deen
only one escape. excepting Price, rom
the inside OF the wOrkhouse' wheh
many thousands Of prisoners had Deeh
confined therein during that time.
Complaint was also made about INC
compensation paid the guards being IN,
adequate when the present high cost
OF living is taken Into consideration
we would Ike TO call your hopors' at
tentlon 10 the fact that these guards
were paid not only a salary, but were
furnished, IN addition 10 their saiary'
with board and q suit Of clothes ana an
extra pair OF trousers each year. we
have increased the salaries Of the guards
for several years back at the end or
each wear. namely, in December OF
January. and a committee had Deeh
at the December meeting 10
arrange for an Increase In the salaries
10 be paid 70 tho guards and report us
finding al the regular January meet
ing. the increase 10 take effect from
december 4. 1919, and the guards had
been 50 notified OF the action OF ule
hoard This committee reported ana
an increase Of salaries was provided.
In fixing the salaries we had regard not
only for the welfare OF the institution,
but also 10 the taxpayers OF the three
counties OF the State, making strong ei-
forts to avoid, II possible, the necessary
OF petitloning the next Legislature 70
grant an increase from the three coun-
ties for the maintenance OF prisoners.
At present the taxpayers are furnishing
less than one-half OF the expenses ior
the upkeep Of the institution.
"As 10 the presentment or the grahu
Jury that two Of the guards had re-
celved extra compensation from the
Lew Court and from private parties
we desire 10 make answer that so tar
as the payment Of extra compensation
NV the Lew Court was concerned, the
matter was brought 70 the attention OF
the board Of trustees, and the warden
was Immediately notified 10 cause the
same 10 be discontinued and the Levy
Court instructed 10 pay no more money
as extra compensation to our guards
AT the request OF Frank l.. speak
man, ESQ. who was at that time attor-
ney for the Levy Court, that the Levy
Court desired 10 secure the services OF
one OF our guards at n time when ne
was not in the regular service OF theI
and when it would not IN
terfere with his duty as a guard OF the
the board Of trustees de-
clded that as Il had no control OF The
men when not in its employ, 1t could
offer no obiectlon TO this, provided
however, that IL was distinctly under
stood, that no compensation be paid 10
him for any service rendered 10 the Levy
Court during the hours Of his services
as wOrkhouse guard.
"In reference to the other case cited.
the board Of trustees had no knowledge
whatever Of this until it was brought
10 their attention in the grand jury
room. The board Of trustees would
under no circumstances. authorize or
tolerate anythingO Of the kind ha,sit been
within their knowledge that such al
thing was being done.
"As 10 the apprehension OF escaped
prisoners as referred 10 in the report Of
ihe grand jury, the board OF trustees
said that undoubtedly, notice should
be Immediately given to the proper au-
thoritles, including the police depart
ment OF the city OF Wilmington, state
end county constables, and
the warden distinctly stated to us that
was his constant practice.
"As 10 the allegation in the grand
iury's presentment that the warden had
made application TO the police depart
ment 10 have the photographs and fin
rer-prints taken Of a number Of long
term prisoners confined within the
the board Of trustees de-
sire 10 state that no such application
was made 20 it, but we desire TO say
that In 1914 Warden Crawford was au-
lhorized and instructed to purchase a.
complee phoiographic equipment for