Evening journal., 1922-01-04
JAIL FARMS RUN
At HEAVY LOSS
Cost $l0,46S.24 TO Operate
Workhouse Properties
Last Year
URGE SEPARATE
PRISON FOR WOMEN


Plummer OF the New Castle County
Workhouse. in his report Of that in
sutution for the year ending Novem-
Der 80. to the Levy Court, shows
that the two farms owned by the in
stitution we're operated last year at a
gross loss OF SI2.3S9.44. The loss
on the Del Castle farm was S10,-
46S.24 and Home farm. S1,921.2O.
The loss at the Del Castle farm In
1921 however, was greatly reduced
compared with 1920 when the total
loss on that farm alone was S25,-
257.S7. The Home farm in 1920
made s954.55. The cause OF the loss
OF $19212O on this farm during the
past year is said to be due largely
to the drought OF 1921.
The report also shows the total
receipts from all sources Of the insti-
ton for the year ending November
80, to have been $146,54495, which
Includes a balance OF s7,612.Ss, on
hand November 80, 1920, and a
balance OF S1O,393.79. on November
80, Of last year. The principal re
ceipts were. s34.o36.1O, from the
shop contractors for labor and S5,-
i912.19 shop bonus from the same
source; $S.O53.25. for outside labor
furnished; s54,20lSO. for board OF
prisoners OF which amount s46,534
was from New Castle county. the re.
mainder being paid by the other two
counties and the government, $3.50.
81, from the products OF Del Castl,
farm and {s,Os5 23 from the
Home farm.
Some OF the larger items or ex
pense during the year were. salaries
f26,159.23; inmates and officers $27.
426.76; heat, light and power, $40.
l9O.75.
In hts report, Warden Plummei
comments on the old system OF pc
, nology, compared with the moderr
, system and also again recommend.
new parole law. on these sub
/, jects ne says:
, 1T is my opinion. based on per
, sonal observation. that the old sys
tenn Of penology is a crime factory
and makes men more intent upoi
breaking the law and makes then
Z unit for re-entry into society. an,
therefore forces them to continue
a prisoner that nc cannot rehabili
. tate himself I. never teaches hin
{ how TO relieve himself OF the tread
Z, mill grind OF prison life. as mos
jails are foul. leprous. and graves q
s blasted hopes. sepulchers OF ghast
r. " tragedies, where abnormal condi
j. tions exist and where men an
women become mere elementa
beasts.
Establish the Golden Rule II
prisons (Which is the very founda
. tion rock OF the honor system") an
v the prisoners will do their own re
forming. Our honor system
teaches that IL we dig deep enoug
l. beneath the stain and dross {
I, crime. you will find some gold wort
II redeeming.
Il beg to call your attention
10 the necessity for a parole law Il
II the State OF Delaware; suck as wa
Z. presented to our last Legislature b
the Prisoners Aid Society Of Dels
80 ware. As the official duties OF N
Board OF Pardons Of this State ar
- many. I doubt the advisabiity {
:. having this board to act in the ca
- pacity OF the Board OF Parole.
I. believe that It would be more benS
fetal and effective to have sue
y, board separate and distinct, and I
~ have a board Of parole appointe
ID by the judiciary OF our State, COT
a, sisting Of four members. as follow
rs One from rural New Castle county
,e one from the city OF Wilmington
RI one from Kent county, and one froi
Sussex county, Delaware.
Warden Plummer in advocating
separate prison for women says;
Il sincerely hope you will aga
m use your best efforts to obtaining
IL separate prison for women. Prese
conditions are a menace to the di
cipline and well being of the inmat
p. of this institution. No law ever 4
II, tended that men and women shou
~ be placed under the same roof
visual contact in prison.
3 at is my opinion that there shou
e. be a separate prison for women
Ut Delaware under the supervise
mt and management OF Board
e- Trustees, which board should cons
ne of four women appointed by q
NJ members OF the judiciary of Del
r., ware; one from rural New Cast
d. one from Wilmington. one fro
Kent and one from Sussex countie
e. and further that the building be
remote as possible from the NJ
he Castle county workhouse."
m on the matter Of labor for pr
ir- oners the report says;
he 1t causes mutinies, riots, and J
p deliveries. Constant employment I
ert every inmate who Is physically al
to work keeps him in as cheerful a
le- hopeful frame OF mind as possil
lse under the circumstances. Work
r. prisoners at least eight hours a d
ks is Just as essential for his well bel
we as is food and water to sustain
ID physical needs 1t makes them me
IN restful. hopeful and happier for {
IN future. 1 do not mean all work a
81. no play, but labor carried on unC
on healthfui conditions and with r,
lp- sonable hours and no improI
'iu strain"