Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-08
GRAND Jury URGES
NEW JAIL BUILDING
Special Report Cites Crowd
ed Conditions and Dete-
rioration of Structure.

Complaining of inadequate quarters
for housing prisoners at the District
Jail, the grand jury in a special re-
port to the Board of District Commits
sioners today recommended that Con
gress be urged lat the earliest possible
date" to provide funds for new build
ing
The grand jury made an investlga-
ton of conditions at the Jail Decem-
her Is at the suggestion OF the district
attorney. and indicated that 1t was sur
prised to discover two and three times
rs many prisoners occupying cells
than originally intended; that the
plumbing and heating plant is obsolete
and III a defective condition, and that
the entire building is badly in need of
repairing There is little hope of the
present congestion being aileNiated IN
the immediate future, the report point
I'd out unless an additional supreme
Court judge is appointed.
The grand jury also visited the
penal institutions at Occoquan and
Lorton. Va. and declared that ii has
only words of praise for the splendid
manner in which they are conducted,
and says they appear to present all
Of the qualifications necessary 10 meet
the purposes for which they are es-
tablished."
Erected in 1870.
Referring TO its investigation at the
jail, the report said:
The inadequaCy of the building for
the accommodation of preSent-day
purposes may be realized from the
tact that this building was erected in
the year 1870, that the population of
the District of Columbia at that time
was 131.700. as compared with the
estimated number of 4S1 900 persons
1T the present time. and with this stu
alton in mind ii may readily be OBJ
served that there has been a CORE
spending demand for additional space
and facilities in order to accommodate
the growing need of the present day
Upon request the warden embodied
information to the effect that in the
fiscal year 1921 the appropriation for
maintenance was S59.1SS90. with a
total of 3.So4 pprisoners to support.
In 1925 S53.+S0 was appropriated and
spent in the maintenance of an
annual turnover of 1851, an increas Sc
of 6,047. or more than twice the num-
Der to support on a budget of s5.70S.9O
less money. The amount appropri-
ated for maintenance this year is s53.-
$50. still less than that of recent years
with an estimated annual turnover of
10000.
Buildings Deteriorated.
"All supplies have been almost en-
tirely exhausted at the close of the
last two fiscal years, thereby necessi-
tating large inroads into the succeed
ing appropriations Because of this
1,,,I II
have deteriorated, and will continue T.
do 50 until an appropriation more
commensurate with the population is
allowed. An additional burden has
been experienced this year over last
in the demand for 500 blankets
purchased at a cost of $3.50. and re-
pairs incident TO the recent fire to the
extent of S422.
AT the close of the second quarter,
December 81, 1925. there will be an
approximate deficit of "a 200, exclusive
Of the per cent deducted from the
general reserve.
IT is thought that strict adherence
10 the purchase of foods and the dis
continuance of repairs and improve
ments to buildings and cells, purchase
of paint and clothing, will materially
reduce this deficit by the close of the
current fiscal year. 1t would take an
appropriation for maintenance of s10,-
600 10 support the prisoners and to
prevent the deterioration of buildings
and equipment.
Peake Commended.
1T was also pointed out that the
oVerCroWding which is continually in
CreaSing could be partially overcome
by the addition of at least one addi-
tional Supreme Court Judge 1t is
obvious from the above situation as
outlined that Congress should be re-
queSted, at the earliest sossible date
TO provide funds for a new building.
spacious in it's dimensions and ap-
proved in its character and in keeping
with its needs as a MOTEL penal insti-
tuition
The report commended Maj. Peake
for his admirable supervision and
excellent management in view of the
inadequate finances and equipment
available" 1t was signed by all mem
bers of the grand jury, of which J.
Leo kolb is foreman.