Evening star., 1936-09-06

duty. divided into three shifts of eight
hours each. to keep check on the
more than 2,700 inmates.
An immediate increase Of l61
guards is urged by the penal authori-
ties, and even then, it is said, the in
stitutions will be unable to meet the
requirements Of the standard 44-hour
law, and maintain an adequate force
of guards at all times.
Repeated Appeals Denied.
Capt. M. M. Barnard, general super
intendent of District penal institu-
tions, and officials at Lorton and Oc-
coquan, anticipated for some years the
conditions that now exist and the po-
tential dangers that might result, and
have made repeated appeals for ade-
quate appropriations to prepare in ad-
vance for the problem that now con-
fronts them. Yet. deaf ears were
turned on their pleas.
Not only have funds been denied
for additional buildings to house the
prisoners and more guards to watch
them, but other vital necessities at the
two institutions have been ignored.
One striking illustration, for instance,
is the acute shortage Of hospital facili-
ties and an inadequate medical staff.
There are only two resident physi-
clans at the penal colony-one at Lor-
toin and the other at Occoquan-who
are responsible for the health OF the
2.700 prisoners as well as the main
nurses, there are none. Inmates, some
of whom had never before been inside
a hospital, constitute the nursing staff
at both institutions
The hospital at Occoquan Is a
small, dilapidated, frame building that
has been kept looking fresh since its
erection in 1912 with an annual coat
ing of kalsomine. The building itself
is dark and dingy looking inside
despite its spotless condition. For
a hospital it is poorly equipped. The
accommodations for patients are so
few that cots are scattered around on
a screened porch. An outbreak Of a
contagious disease at Occoquan would
find the hospital unable to cope with
the situation.
Lorton Has Brick Hospital.
Lorton boasts more modern, brick
hospital building. that appears to be
properly equipped. It has a capacity
Of so beds, but the accommodations
now are inadequate. Twenty-four
prisoners. known to be suffering with
tuberculosis, arc wandering around
the reservation, possibly injecting
others, because there are no quarters
In which to isolate them.
A temporary tuberculosis building
. frame structure adjoining the hos
pital BUILDINGS caring for 26 other
tubercular inmates. 1t cannot ac-
commodate any more. The beds
which they occupy are only IL inches
apart, and when Winter comes, some
Of the more fortunate will be taken
inside the building. The others must
be discharged, again to subject every
inmate at the institution to the dread
white plague.
Second only to additional guards
do ofacials Of the penal institutions
regard the vital need of a modern
building in which to isolate and treat
the tuberculosis patients. More med
ical assistance also is regarded as alb
solutely essential, especially trained
nurses. The resident physicians at
both the reformatory and work house
must examine all incoming prison.
ers, diagnose ailments, perform ma
jor operations and administer anti
leutic therapy to approximately $50
inmates each week.
Sol Admissions in Year.
In the Lorton Hospital alone there
were 801 admissions in the last fiscal
year ended June 80. In addition to
caring for these patients, the lone
physician there treated more than
5000 cases Of one type Of social dis