Evening star., 1944-07-07
- una
Rutland Urges
Air Conditioning
For D. {. Jail
Meeting to Study
improvement Pluns
SIoted Today

be aforementioned by a dry ice-elec-
trlc fan system was made today by
Health Offlcer George C. Rutland
as officials here called a conference
TO discuss measures to improve con-
dltions for the approximately 500
prisoners.
The meeting will be held at tho
Municipal Center Building this
afternoon and will be attended by
Ray L. HUFF, director of public well
fare; Howard B. Gill, newly-ap-
pointed superintendent of District.
penal institutions, and Howard
wentworth. acting special assistant
TO Commissioner John Russell
Young.
In announcing the meeting Mr..
Young said: I'VE want to do everv-
thing We can to make conditions at
the jail as livable as possible. We
nope that some effective solutions
10 the problem will be arrived at"
A fact-finding tour of the jail yes.
teroay revealed that lack of outdoor
recreation for the PIT men awaiting
trial and the sweltering, humid at
mosphere remain the most pressing
problems. At the same time. it was
found that, although seriously ham
olcapped by lack Of funds, Jail off.
Gals have effected some improve
ments in line with the recent Rover
committee report recommending
numerous changes in the Jail setup.
An offer to sponsor or support a
denciency appropriation to meet the
needs OF the jail, if additional funds
are found to be the answer. came
To-Day from Senator McCarran.
democrat OF Nevada. former chair
man OF the Senate District Commit
zee ana now head of the Judiciary
Committee.
Senator McCarran said the find.
lngs of the Commissioners commit
tee undoubtedly were well founded
ana that something should be done
70 provide necessary outdoor exercise
for prisoners.
Until few weeks ago none of the
men awaiting trial were permitted
outdoor exercise due to the shortage
OF guards. They are now given two
hours Sunday to get whatever fresh
air and sunshine they can. Dailv
outdoor exercise, however, is out Of
the question until added appropria-
tions are secured for hiring addi-
tlonal guards. Only the fact that
jail activity is reduced over the week
end and guards are released for ward
outy permits even limited exercise.
Omclals are unanimous in admit
ting that daily outdoor activity is
needed to maintain the mems health
ana sustain their morale. Antici-
patlng the day when additional
funds will permit everyday usage of
the yard, volley ball courts and a
softbau diamond have been set up.
PROBABLY the major Improvement
is the establishment of a Jail cam
teen. operated by the Society for the
bnnd. Twice week the men are
permitted to place their orders with
the guards. Soft drinks, CANDY
magazines, fresh fruit and ice cream
are now available. Visitors also can
purchase articles from the canteen
for the men.
Inmates are now allowed to order
milk by the week. Each morning a
carton of milk is delivered to their
cells.
Until the establishment of the
canteen last month. none of these
services was available. The onlv
outside food they could get was left
over items from Lorton tVa.) Re.
lormatory. Usually. officials saw.
this consisted of stale candy bars
and old magazines.
Use of the indoor recreation hall
has been extended from one and a
nall to three hours a dav. The
problem here, however, is lack of
suitable equipment and facilities
and the intense heat.
Three metal tables, six chairs.
one blackboard. one deck of cards
are the only facilities offered the
men. Located on the top cell tier,
the recreation hall is unbearablv hot
during the summer. The tempera-
ture was in the COS when the re-
porter visited it yesterday. Funds
are needed to remodel the thick
glass roof to defect the suns rays.
Additional time is now given in
mates to permit shower every day,
The Rover report had criticized pro-
cedure where the men, it said, could
use the shower only once a week.
In the medical department. also
due to insufficient funds. one doctor
continues to care for the jail's 479
inmates. There is dental labora-
tory. but no dentist.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Gill today took up
permanent headquarters at the Jail
to study the various problems. He
said that plans seek a special de-
ficiency appropriation for needed
improvements are pending before
the Department of Public Welfare.
DaiKRationi1n