The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-05-22
PJyBIIG BE FARE
INSPECTION
Report Aims House, Jail and
Gang

:
Gang
The Item is in receipt of several
communications from the State Board
OF Pablo Welfare, IN which the
E9ard makes q report Of the. results
or the recent inspectsonssof theSceun-
sty institutions. Score cards were en-
closed which gave the ratings ofstide
different Institutions IN comparison.
with the ratings that it is possible to
obtain With a possible 1.0Ge points
the average. made by these instltu-
ions is about 80, but it is interest
E ing to note that the fault In each case
Per not reaching the standard is4s:in
$ the equipment and not IN the man
ageraent. Below are the reports on.
the several Institutions.
several important particulars the
SaE3ter county chain gangs have I'M
proved since the last inspection. The.
clerk OF the Board of County Com
raissioners: has instituted system of,
conn5ete records that alone has add
/ ed SO points to the total scores Of.
each foreman. The records showing
tie work done and the cost of doing
1t ere the most satisfactory seen in
some time. The cost of feeding each
COP sict for day IS thirty seven and
enc saan cents This is a little less
than a sufficient variety OF food can
Be pErchased 1t is probable that the
amount OF work done would be IN
sresbsed il the prisoners were given a
little more diversified diet. Both. of
The camps are to be congratulated
apoaz their methods OF sewage dispos-
md the personal hygiene OF the
convicts
he .main camp under foreman
Holland has the better equip
naeslt and location The. .sheadquart-
camp, under Road Superintend-
ss eRt d. Thompson has an advantage
81 ,in having no mules and mule pens
their taff ffffiieult sanitary problems.
Fr. Thofnp pson's camp does not
score as we1sas Mr. Hollands because:
thes tentssshere are in poor condition
IS 4 and need flies. In rainy weather
there must be almost no protection.
s This camp also has a very unsatis-
fantery location on the edge of a
s bEalph in the midst of the almshouse
grave yard. No pump has yet been
ss.zsnt down and the water supply ~ not
QnHsnient, so the convlcts are liable
- to drink the contaminated water near
4 81. hand
AZ he Sumter county jail is very we'll
managed IN spite of its Inadequate
plant Jaiier D. w. Owens seems to
ssgpe conscientious man who does the
z best he can with the resources at his
l; ranmand Due to the use Of large
garden for the benefit Of the prison
ers the food supplied in this jail is
ss above the average.
eSzg The bedding is cleaner than in any
&, OF the ten jails already visited this
e year.
Tire cnjef immediate needs OF this
institution are better heating ,sys-
tenn and more hammocks and metal
buniss, but even these improvements
NiH not result in providing the coun--s
s5ts. with an adequate jail. The build
ing is entirely too small, is poorly
: lighted, and badly arranged. The
ss grand. jury of the county has recon-
mended a new Jail and it is to be hop
ed that the recommendation Will be
s. put into effect in the near future.
I asssss The Sumter County almshouse is
3 being allowed to fall into a state of
disrepair. The fences and outbluld-.
ings are not being kept up, the SUI
: perintendent's house IS beginning to
! look ilapadated,sand the plant of the
institution generally shows signs OF
neglect. 1t is to be hoped that this
=, no + q
!. Board Of sCounty Commissioners to
= try to make moreaadequate provision
s for the unfortunates of the county by
Joining with other counties to build a.
Z district hospital home, such as was
z provided blythe acts of 1920 for-The
- counties of Anendale.s Beaufort, Col
& leton. Hampton and Jasper Most OF
= the present inmates of the. aamsheuse
Z are a badly broken lot and need care
s as a trained nurse If they are to live
& the few years left to them in any
IS peace or comfort. Since such seaEe
S cannot be provided for a few persons,
except at great expense, the commits
Z sioners should take steps to put into
execution some plan for improving
conditions by cooperating with the
other counties.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nunnamaker. the su-
+ perintendent and snnatron, are doing
VERY well with the means at their dis
posal. They should be paid salary
instead of by fees as at present. Addi-
sstiorial help IN caring for the inmates
is also needed
State Board of Public Welfare.
G. Croft Williams, Sec'ty.
New Club For Sumter.
A nun1berlof men who feel that