Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-09
Miss Richardson, Training
Institution Superintendent,
Holds System Necessary.
REFUSES TO DISCUSS
WICKERSHAM CHARGES
Use of Handouts Resorted to in
Order to Prevent Damage to
Buildings, She Says.

SuPI' AoItAe l. RlCHdTuSOn OF the Ma
tional Training School for Girls at
Muirkirk, Md, today admitted that girl
inmates there had been shackled at
times, as charged in the report made
by the now dsbanded Wickersham
Commission, in which conditions and
disciplinary measures at three District
and Federal institutions for juveniles
were singled out for particular criticism.
IN the absence of George P. Wilson.
director Of public welfare, however.
Miss Richardson refused to discuss
further the charges in the Wickersham
report.
Wilson Visiting Schools.
anything I may have to say about
these criticisms for the press will be
made in the presence of Mr.. Wilson"
she explained. The public welfare di-
rector was absent from his Office early
today making routine visits to Sarious
institutions and she was unable to
reach him
MISS Richardson is also superintend-
ent OF the National Training School for
GlrS on the Conduit road, which, with
tne National Training School for Boys
on the Bladensburg road, were sub
1ected to criticisms in the Wickersham
report
ANY one knowing conditions at our
training schools realize that nobody is
receiving cruel treatment ct either
school," Miss Richardson said by way
OF explanation. 1T has been necessary
occasionally in the past eight years to
nandcu1 some unruly girls to keep them
from damaging the building"
Both District Institutions.
The two institutions, it was explained
at the Board CT Public Welfare, are Dis
trlct institutions, although the PROPERTY
Is OWNED by the Federal Government.
The Department of Justice contributes
TO the support of the few Federal pris-
oners sent to them.
In the Wickersham report conditions
at the Muirkirk Training School for
White Girls cited the Handwriting of in
mates as one of the Objectionable fea-
lures, and also asserted that no pro-
gram OF vocational training or recrea-
ton was provided 1t was less severe
in its criticism Of the other two insti-
tutions. In connection with the Ma
tional Training School for Boys, a Fed
eral institution, the report made refer
ence TO conditions which have since
been corrected to large degree
Admits Crowded Conditions.
Col. Claude D. Jones, superintendent
OF the boys training school on the
BladenSburg road. explained that it
would hardly be proper for him to COM
ment upon conditions pointed out in
the report, which existed before he took
charge of the institution, a year ago.
He did refer to the crowded ccEdi-
tons" mentioned in the Wickersham
report, explaining that 1t was a matter
which the officers and trustees of the
institution could not help at this time.
These crowded conditions, Col. Jones
said, are due to the activities Of the
courts in sending boys to the training
school. Appropriations for improve
ments. he explained, unfortunately have
not kept pace with the increase in the
number Of boys received.
During his year at the training
school, Col. Jones at all times has kept
the doors open to personal and Official
investigators.
Seeking to Correct Ills.
eve are alive to the situation here"
he explained when questioned today,
and the board of trustees is doing all
it can to have them corrected.
THE report of the Wickersham Com
mission criticized the central dining
room and kitchen. but stated that APP
preparations for new service buildings
have been requested by the administra-
ton"
Col. Jones explained that appropria-
lions had been sought last year for a
new kitchen and dining room, but the
Budget Bureau evidently had thought
that the new dormitory cottage and
vocational shop for which appropria-
lions were made were sufficient for
that year.
I'VE have every reason to believe
that the budget will allow for the
kitchen and dining room this year"
Col. Jones said. 1t is proposed to COM
bine the kitchen, bakery and dining
room and have 1t complete and up-to-
date.
Conditions under the circumstances
are very creditable to the institution,
he believes. and the trustees are work.
ing on ambitious plans for the future.
Work on Vocational Courses.
An investigation conducted recently
by The Evening Star at the institution
revealed that the training inaugurated
there has cut down the number Of
escape from 80 a month to /.
Col. Jones explained today that more
and more attention is being paid to
vocational courses. The school now
has a full time psychologist. who is
making a careful study of vocational
and placement of the boys.
The policy now in vogue, he added,
Is making for increased use of the
recreation rooms.
So far as the disciplinary treatment
Of the boys Is concerned, Col. Jones
said that any one visiting the instIsu-
ton could see for himself that harsh
treatment is lacking.
There Is q constant effort at i'm
provement," he said, land the voca-
tional training is helping a great deal
to improve the mental state Of the
boys"