Evening star., 1929-06-09
Research Secretary Finds
Problem of Ex-ConVicts
Is Difficult.
OCC0QUAN W0RKH0USE
HAS MANY "REPEATERS"
Penniless Freed Inmates Often
Found Willing to Go
Back to Jail.

Lack of adequate prisoners aid service
in the District of Columbia and the
need for separate, co-ordinated or
ganization which would devote its entire
time to this purpose are stressed by
Miss Clara Somerville. research secre-
tary of the Council of Social Agencies,
in report to the executive committee
of the council after a two months sur
vey OF problems of ex-prisoners in Wash
ington. The report was unanimously
adopted by the committee.
The workhouse at Occoquan offers the
most pressing immediate dif1culty, &C
cording to Miss Somerville. The daily
average population for 1928 was Sos
prisoners, serving from 10 days to one
year each. OF this daily number, about
so were women. Occoquan officials esti-
mated that from 20 to 25 per cent of
the inmates were ''repeaterS," many OF
whom were such constant visitors that
they were welcomed by name by the
officials on each occasion of their re-
turn. During the year about 5000 were
sent from Washington.
And every night in the year, she re-
called. the Richmond, Fredericksburg
& Potomac Railroad dumps" a number
of discouraged, detected returning pris-
oners at the Seventh street station, and
the guard accompanying them informs
them that they are free"
Turned Out Penniless.
Most OF them are penniless. Few
have anything that remotely resembles
a home. In the colder months, many
are inadequately clothed. Hungry, cold
and homeless they are turned loose in
the streets of Washington and this, Miss
Somerville finds, is largely the cause OF
the large percentage of ''repeaters." >"
They are often glad to get back be-
cause to them the prison means
warmth, shelter, clothes and food.
The municipal lodging house is not
in shape to be considered in any mod
ern social program, which looks to the
rehabilitation of these men and women.
Studying their abilities and striving to
place them in useful occupations where
they will be an asset rather than Ii
ability to the community. is what is
needed to solve this problem, Miss
Somerville thinks.
Conditions are different at the Dis
trict Jail, Miss Somerville finds. The
daily average of prisoners there, based
on the 1928 report, is 464. The out
standing fact is that the largest number
is in the 2l-3o years Of age group, an
age when they can still be taught to
be useful citizens. The women's de-
partment at the JAIL she finds, is a
complete. independent unit, in charge
OF nurses and capable matron who
has had considerable experience.
Represent Denominations.
Most of the workers who visit the
jails in behalf of outside organizations
services or in the interest OF one par
ticular danopnin ti0n
Conditions among the prisoners at
the District Reformatory at Lorton are
somewhat better. The prisoners there,
sent up for longer terms, are for the
most part Of higher mentality than
the short-termers and in addition they
are at the prison long enough to learn
some kind of trade, several OF which
are practiced there. The making OF
bricks is the biggest industry, the prison
supplying all bricks for schools and
other public buildings in the District.
The prisoner released from Lorton
does not fare quite so badly as the
short-termer from Occoquan. The Lor-
ton prisoner IS given SIS In money and
clothing and is returned to Washing
ton.
On July 3, 1926, Miss Somerville
points out in this connection, there was
enacted a law to increase the clothing
and cash gratuity furnished to persons
discharged from prisons.
1t provides that on the discharge OF
any Federal prisoner he shall be FUR
nished with transportation to the place
of conviction or place Of bona f1de resi-
dence within the United States at the
time of commitment, or to such place
in the United States as may be author
lied by the Attorney General, and II
the Imprisonment shall have been six
months or more he shall also be fur
nished with such suitable clothing as
may be authorized by the Attorney Gen.
eral and. in the discretion Of the At
torney General. an amount OF money
not to exceed $40.
Law Is Not Used.
The possibilities of law, she declared
are not utilized. The same old SIS con-
tinues to be the prisoners gratuity and
he is sent back to Washington. regard
less of the place of his bona flde resi-
dence at the time of conviction.
Probation officers of the various courts
are not sufficiently stated to handle the
cases. More intensive case work in the
Police Court probation office is declared
a necessity. The Juvenile Court proba-
ton Office Is composed OF stah OF Is.
This STAFF holds medical and psyche
logical clinics each week. The ONCE
also calls on the several charitable or
ganizations to supplement with mate
rial.
Miss Somervilles report will be sub
mitted to the budget committee OF the
Community Chest for its guidance in
making appropriations to those OF its
member organizations which do prison
ers' aid work; while the Council Of So
cial Agencies will work as rapidly as
possible on plans for the development
Of the central prisoners aid organization
which Is recommended.