Evening star., 1936-12-19
RVES SAYS NEW
D. c. JAIL NEEDED
T0END CROWD|NC
Enlargement Held made
quate Substitute by
Superintendent.
CUMMINGS PARLEY
MAY DECIDE ISSUE
Hazen, Puzzled by Lack Of Funds,
Leans Toward Moderniza.
ton of Ancient Plant.

Alternative proposals for solution Of
overcrowding of the District jail were
being studied today by the Commis-
sioners as Capt. Thomas M. Rives.
superintendent Of the jail, insisted
that the proper solution was the con-
struction of a new home for the in
stitution on a new site.
Expenditure of q large sum for
the enlargement and modernization
of the present plant would serve to
perpetuate the institution in a loca-
ton which Is not suitable, he de-
clared in a memorandum to the city
heads.
The Commissioners likely will not
reach final decision on the problem
until after they have consulted with
Attorney General Homer S. Cum
mings. who recently made personal
inspection of the old building, to see
for himself the extent Of overcrowd-
ing. The conference may be held
next week.
Hazen Undecided.
Commissioner Hazen, doubtful Of
the ability Of the Commissioners to
find funds for building a new jail,
leans toward plans for Improvements
in the old plant but has reached no
final decision Public attention was
focused on the problem of overcrowd-
ing in a recent series Of stories in
The Star.
Plans submitted to the Commission
ers by Capt. H. S. Bishop. assistant
mates that the cost of undermining
and enlargipg the present plant would
run as high as 81 ,407 900, with other
plans costing s1,045,000 or $685. 400.
The cost of construction of an ade-
quate new Jail which would house
1000 prisoners was estimated at 81
900, 900, and one to house 878 prison.
ers for some sl.5o0.O00. Capt. Bishop
said a new Jail to house 1000 could
not be built on new site for as
little as $1,000,000. He suggested the
larger OF the plans for remodeling
and enlarging the old building.
More Protection Urged.
Defending his plan for a new jail.
Capt. Rives said: For entirely too
long. the jail has been entirely too
vulnerable in many respects. It's vul-
| nerability is no secret to many who
might have occasion to take advan-
tage of the present arrangement. In
my judgment there is real need for
protective wall around the entire
institution, or for equivalent pro-
lection"
Submitting long list Of improve
ments which should be made if it is
determined to recondition the old
plant, Capt. Rives said 1T seems
quite clear to me that the expendi.
ture Of any considerable sum of money
on the present Jail plant can mean
only that it will be used for an indefi-
mite period. probably extending far
into the future. I am still very def
nitely of the opinion that that Is not
the proper solution and recommend
strongly that the jail's problem should
be solved by a new and modern Jail
of proper size in a proper location"
Executions in Dining Hall.
Capt. Rives insisted there should be
no question OF the need Of suitable
quarters for housing condemned pris-
oners and for proper and secluded
space for executions. Death sentences
are now executed in the mess hall Of
the oil Jail because of lack of space.
Plans submitted for the proposed
enlargement of the old building pro-
posed placing the death row" of cells
and an execution chamber on one Of
the floors of the old building, now
used for other purposes.