Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-05-02
Jail Plans Get sanction.

Considering the county Jail house of
correction rather than a prison, the court
house building committee has approved
plans for the county Jail here which will
provide large dormitories for women and
dormitories for men who commit minor
infractions Of the law
The Jail. which is to be located on top
of the new court house. is planned to OBJ
scure the humiliating atmosphere of in
generation as much as possible For this
reason. no cells are provided for women,
with the exception of small room which
has been provided for the care of men,
tally unbalanced women awaiting removal
to the State institutions.
In coming the plans for the Jail, the
committee took into consideration the sue-
eestions toward betterment of county Jail
conditions of Gov. Albert C. Richie and
other high officials who have made study
of criminelogy. 1t was brought to the
committee that the State favors LARGE
dormitories rather than individual cells
in prisons Loo.
Two cell tiers are provided for men, one
for white and one for colored. together with
two rooms which each contain four cots.
Prisoners held for minor infractions will be
placed in these rooms. Women prisoners
also will be segregated. one large dormi-
tory being provided for white women and
another for colored. The Jail is planned
for the accommodation of 80 prisoners.
Three small rooms are provided for wit
nesses held by the State and can be
utilized as dormitories il needed.
1t was suggested that the cell rooms be
planned high enough so that an additional
floor of cells can be built over the original
cells If it is necessary to enlarge the jail
facilities. Wings are to be added TO the
court house and Jail in about five years.
Mayor J. Roger Spates. member of the
committee. Informed the body that the
town plans to increase the capacity of the
sewer in the rear Of the new court house
on Jefferson street.
Delos H. Smith, architect in charge, re-
ported that final definite plans have been
drawn and that 1t will require about q
month to get them in workable shape.
An elevator is to be provided which will
be located next to the incinerator in the
basement and will provide a means of
bringing prisoners to the Jail from the base
ment. as well as carrying refuse from the
Jail. Two large boilers are provided for
the basement with room for a third which
will furnish enough heat for the courthouse
and the two wings when they are built
later. The ventilatins system in the county
commissioners Office and the circuit court
room will be forced air and for the other
sections of the building will be gravity.
The entrance hall will be Of marble with
the floors of special design depicting some
outstanding historical features of the coun-
ty Floors in the county commissioners
Office and court room are to be OF cork and
the other floors Of asphaltum or mosaic in
design.
Wood work is to be Of birch with mahoe-
any finish. The woodwork In the court
room is to be Of walnut or other fine wood.
The heating system is to bea vapor system,
with the pump in the basement. The court
room is to have three concealed radiators.
with ether radiators being visible. Electric
connections will be provided for 20 clocks.
and waterproof floor outlets every 10 feet
will be provided for special lights and for
fans and telephones. A private branch
exchange switchboard is to be provided In
the court house.
The exterior design is to be of limestone.
preferably of buff. and monolithic columns
will be preferred to those cut In three Sec
tions. Windows and screening to be Of
metal.