Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-31
GRAND JURY URGES
! PRISON REFORMS
Segregation and improve
ments at Lorton, 0Ccoquan
and JaiI Recommended.

Urging that attention be given to
the segregation of reformatory pris-
oners of different ages and character
in separate buildings and making va
rious recommendations for needed Inn
provements at the Lorton Reforma'
tory. at the workhouse at Occoquan
and at the District Jail. the District
grand jury yesterday presented a re-
port on it's inspection tour. December
s. Of these institutions. and commend
ed the respective arrangements Tor
their efficiency.
Included in the recommended tons
for the District Jail, the urgent need
OF new cell blocks in the wings was
stressed. as were improved faciiities
for lighting. ventilation and general
sanitation; the establishment OF a
laundry plant at Lorton RefOrmatory
was urged as an immediate and press
ing need. and at Occoquan the con-
struction of new buildings to replace
the present inadequate accommoda-
tions in the women's department was
suggested as a vital necessity.
The report was signed by Dorsey
w. Hyde, jr., foreman.
OF the jail it was said;
1.-THE members were impressed with
the efficient manner in which this IN
stitution Is managed, and viewed with
approval the new wing TO take care
of the increase in the number Of pris-
oners. Unfortunately. this new wing
was not fully equipped because OF the
lack of an appropriation by Congress
It is eminently desirable that the nee
essary funds for this purpose be pro-
vided at the earliest possible moment
The old wings of the Jail building
were found to be far from satisfactory
from the viewpoints of lighting. venti.
Iation and general sanitation. In har-
mony with the suggestions OF the Blu.
reau of Efficiency and the board or
Public Welfare. the grand jury rec
ommends the reconstruction OF the
cell blocks and interior arrangements
in these wings. in order that the de-
fects may be corrected"
Conditions at Lorton.
At Lorton the Jurors reported they
found progress toward the realiZa'
ton of a modern prison plant of prop.
erly designed and constructed brick
buildings is now we'll under way. and
it should be noted that substantial
economies have been effected through
the use OF prison labor. Jury mem.
bers were interested in the splendid
start which has been made in the de-
velopment of appropriate prison IN
dustries in addition TO the building
construction and farming activities.
The tag plant. In particular. appealed
10 the visitors. who were impressed
by the high quality of the automobile
factory, overall and shirt factory and
printing plant aroused a similar
Interest.
I'm the opinion OF jury members
these industrial activities at Lorton
are OF the highest importance In SOW
ing the problem OF effective use OF
prisoners time and in training them
for the pursuit OF useful and profitable
vocations. While IL would be undesir-
able TO produce commodities which
would compete unduly with local man.
ufactures, there are many fields where
such competition would not result and
in which developments along this line
call for all possible encouragement
The immediate need OF most press
ing Importance at Lorton Is a modern
laundry plant. and the members OF
the grand jury urge upon the appro.
providing this essential item OF equip.
ment as soon as may be possible" the
report added.
Occoquan Buildings Urged.
The jury members were impressed
by the fact that the effectiveness OF
able administration was greatly less
ened due 10 the old frame buildings.
impossible to maintain in properly
livabie and sanitary condition at
OcCOQuan.
This situation" they added. was
further accentuated by a degree OF
overcrowding which apparently had
not been foreseen In past calculations
OF future requirements. However.
five permanent buildings OF approved
type have been completed or are un.
der construction. The grand jury
urges that every means be employed
TO facilitate the completion OF this
work. In their opinion the appropria-
ton or sufficient funds 10 achieve this
end Is the most immediate need OF all
such recommendations made in tais
report"
The women's department at Deco.
guam. the report said. is housed in
dilapidated structures. which should
be replaced with modern buildings Of
PSTHldHSHt tn1t9C(PF.
Other general Improvements are
urged. AS follows:
Il The proper planning OF any
scheme OF reformatory treatment calls
FOR thorough investigation OF the
physical and mental health status Of
Offenders. Grand jury members are
advised that this need Is now met In
so FAR as medical examination is con-
cerned. but they advocate the compile,
ton OF this need by the retention on
tuli time Of trained psychiatrist
competent to make examina ,ions OF
the mental health status OF those com.
United to District penal institutions.
New Facilities Needed.
40. The development Of the re.
formatory and workhouse has reached
Il point where additional facilities for
water. heat and power are imperative.
The water supply now drawn nom
Occoquan Creek Is deficient In both
quality and quantity and an appro.
prIation for driven wells in an out.
standing need IL Is further recon.
mended that. after proper engineering
investigation. funds he made avail
able 10 provide for needed additions
Ia present heating. lighting and power
facilities.
-, IL has come To the attention OF
the grand jury that tndeterminate
sentence laws have been enacted In a
number OF States. Under the present
short sentence system hahitual offend
ers frequently are committed several
times during n single year In the
opinion OF Jury members the enact
ment Of such law In the District of
Columbia would Do In line With mod
ern practice and would aid the penal
authorities I'm their efforts To reform
the offenders committed 10 their care,
- Members Of the grand Jury
were struck by the fact that under
present conditions II IN difficult 20
regulate reformatory EFFORT To meet
L., IA..la az ArisaaAa.s az .iiITsrlnK.