San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-25
j. s. PRISON
HEAD To MAKE
TRIP To TEXAS
May Result in Erection of
Penal Institution in
Southwest.
NEED is STRESSED
Western District of Texas
Sends Many to Fed
eral Prisons.

As result of the proposed visit to
Texas by II. II. Votaw, superintend-
ent of federal prisons, with head
quarters with the Department of Jus
tice at Washington, d. c., United
States Marshal d. A. Walker be-
lieves that definite step will be
taken toward locating within the
southwestern part of the United
States, a federal penal institution dc.
signed primarily for the treatment of
narcotic addicts. For several months
Marshal Walker has been cOmmuni-
eating with administration officials in
furtherance of his plan TO have such
an institution located in the South
west, not only to relieve the over
crowded institutions of the country.
but to provide for the normal increase
and 70 effect an ultimate saving to
the government.
Several weeks ago Mr.. NOtaw in
formed Marshal Walker that he in
tended to visit the Western district
of Texas and study conditions here,
Marshal Walker said. With the eX-
New York and the Northern district
vi TIC W eSltTl ul>lEltl VI
Texas handles more business annual
ly than any other district in the
United States. Marshal Walker said.
Out of the 200 prisoners at Leaven-
worth. Kan, - per cent are from
the Western district of Texas, he
said.
No Room In Prisons.
In order to provide room fer wo-
men narcotic addicts sentenced to re-
formatorics by federal courts. a per
diem must be paid to n state-main-
tanned refOrmatOry ut Caldwell, y.
j.. Marshal Walker said. One insti-
tuition after another has been filled
and the last report from the reforma-
tory at Caldwell stated that the in
Stirution had room for only eight
additional prisoners. Since prison
CrS from all sections of the country
ere now sent TO New Jersey. Mar
shal Walker is doubtful as to whether
IL will find accommodations for three
women addicts who have been sentenc-
cd by federal courts in this district
end who are now being held in county
jails Mt III Paso and San Antonio
waiting TRANSPORTATION to the reform
g?Et by Marshal Walker to the re-
f1@matory in New Jersey reveals that
TIC institution will have no room for
the three prisoners, he does not know
what provision can be made for them.
II believe that the publicity recent
j. given regarding the dope traffic in
FL Paso, combined with the statistics
that l have been compiling and for
warding TO Washington officials re-
garding the expense Of sending pris-
oners from the Western district of
Texas to institutions located in far
sections of the country, will do much
toward inducing administration off
Gals to seriously consider the estab-
lishment of federal penal institution
in the Southwest" Marshal Walker
said.
FavOrs Site Near Ell Paso.
Although believe that the insti-
tuition should be designed primarily
for the treatment and education of
both women and men addicts. yet it
should also be adapted for the con-
finement of other federal prisoners.
ITO be of the most efficient ser
vice, the location of the institution
should be governed by the geographic
cal center, climatic conditions and
with the idea of economy. There
should be ample acreage to provide
light outdoor employment for the
prisoners. I believe that the logical
location for an institution of this
nature should be in the vicinity of