The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
TAKE WHITE WEN 0UT OF CITY JAIL, ANDREWS ORDERS
Inspector Says Present Quar- ters Cannot Be Used for
 Sentence Servers

Disposition of white men, sentenced 10 serve time for violation of city ordinances, who cannot be held in the city jail, according to report filed with Governor Brandon Satur- day by D. Glenn Andrews. state prison inspector. because of unsanl- tary conditions. will be discussed by the city commission when W. J. Wynn, city attorney, reports on letter from Dr. Andrews to the com mission. received Friday. D. F. Me Iendon, president of the commission. made this statement Saturday night when called by The Age Herald re- garding the report, received from The Age Heralds Montgomery bu- reau by special leased wire.
 We have adhered 10 the general practice of not working white men on the streets in the past" Mir. Me- Lendon said. sThe only solution 1 can see offhand is putting them on the streets. The jail has recently been renovated"
 According to the Montgomery dis- patch. Dr. Andrews filed reports on inspections of the city jail of Bir- mingham, the county jail of Jeffer son county at Birmingham and the sub jail of the county at Bessemer and the city jail at Bessemer, In ad- dition to reports on county jails in several North Alabama counties. Letter to Commissioner.
 Attached to the report on the con- dition of the Birmingham city jail was copy of letter which Dr. An drews had addressed to the board of commissioners of Birmingham, which said in part: Attention Is again in- vited to the number of white men who were serving sentences in that jail. As you know, it Is hazardous from q health standpoint for a man to be kept confined any length of time in this jail. and some provision must be made for confining them elsewhere if jail sentences are given.
 "It occurs that some provision should be made that these men could be given profitable employment, which would be not only best for them, but relieve the community, somewhat at least. from the expense of maintaining them during the per iod which they were serving as pun ishment for their infraction of the law"
 Dr Andrews said his inspection. made March 13, showed that nine white men were serving sentences in the jail. Provisions have been made whereby the negro conyicts are worked on tho streets. Dr. Andrews sasd the -sB rmingham city jail 'is wholly unfit for such confinement" and that "most of the blankets should be laundered; the canvas slips, in- landed to cover the mattresses, were only spread over them and evidently have not been properly used. resulting In the mattresses un- necessarily becoming soiled.
 County Jail Condition Good.
 @ Conditions in the Jefferson county jail and county convict camps gen ehally were found to be good. Minor suggestions were made regarding inn provements in some of the camps. During conference with Sheriff T. J Shirley, Dr. Andrews was told that the sherifrs force will do everything possible to keep the county jail in sanitary condition during MT. Shir- ley's term. pr. Andrews said the county jail at Birmingham and sub ! jail at Bessemer had been painted throughout the interior.
 The Bessemer city jail was found to be clean and in order and had been painted recently. Dr. Andrews was rated said he intended to keep the prison in proper condition.
 O o O Four other Reports.
 pr. Andrews also filed reports on the condition of the jails of Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties following inspections made by representatives of the prison in spection department.
 The Jackson prison was found to be in good condition and prisoners said they were being well treated and adequately fed. The inspector recommended that the county dis- continue canvas hanmocks and pur- chase beds for the jail
 Limestone's prison brought no crit ieism and the inspector said the jail was clean. the prisoners satisfied and the food adequate and well cooked. Minor suggestions were made for the improvement of conditions at the almshouse of Limestone county.
 The jail of Madison county was be- ing cleaned and renovated when the inspector made the visit and Dr. An drews suggested that the interior be painted throughout. Prisoners said they were being well fed and prop erly treated. The county almshouse was found in fair condition. Dr. An drews reported that two insanne per sons are confined there and that some steps should be taken to remove them to the inEane hospital.
 Male and female prisoners were not properly segregated in the Nor gan county jail when the inspection was made. according to Dr. Andrews report. The doors to the cells used by white women could not be locked. The sheriffs attention was called to the law which requires the sesrega- tion of men and women and the tn- were transferred to other sections of he nri son.