The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-11
Detention Home
Is In Spotlight
lContinued from Page One)

iContinued from Page One)
diet is served the inmates, ac-
carding to the committee which
noted that buttermilk, rice and
beans were served yesterday At
lunch.
The report specifically stated
that there had been no heat IN the
building for two days, the boller
having been out Of order.
Mr.. Hewlett said that it had been
impossible to get plumber TO
make repairs Immediately upon
their discovery.
The rooms have been lately
painted, according to the welfare
committee, and new blankets have
| been furnished. Towels were sup
Piled Thursday, only.
In the white girls building there
is no matron, no sitting room,
books, magazines or games, said
the report. The investigation re-
vealed that no fire extinsulshers
are available. There are no chairs
supplied and the building is I'm
clean.
The committee stressed that two
new buildings constructed with
| WPA assistance are at present
unoccupied, and are used to store
collins, peanuts, beans, hams, cots
and mattresses.
'Only a. small amount of furnl-
ture would be needed to furnish
these very nice buildings" the
committee stated. Material facl
lities for adequate care are avail
able. Only adequate supervision
and supervisors and a few ne"
furnishings are necessary to ere
ate a Juvenile home to which we
could look with pride rather thar
deep shame" the committee stat
ed.
It was disclosed at the meeting
Thursday, held in the Sorosis club
room. that probation officers in the
community are reluctant to make
use Of the home in its present con
dition; that the structure is made
quately heated without proper san
itation facilities, without proper
supervision, &, negro woman II
the custodian) provideS no counse
lor. and has no plan for construc
tive recreation for the young per
sons confined.
The group admitted that tn
county commissioners had mad
recently some minor improve
ments in the juvenile home setu
but that mot enough has bee
done"
1--WE must be realistic about tn
situation" said one member c
the group. 1.-THE juvenile hom
must be made decent. Altruisti
theories about caring for delir
quents are very fine for futur
planning, but this is a probler
that must be met now.''
1.-THE fact that the boys an
girls kept there have absolutel
nothing with which to occupy thei
time is one of the major faults {
the institution" another socis
worker explained.
The committee named to dra,
up suggestions includes Miss Vii
ginia Ward, Mrs Herbert Blue
. thenthal, John Sheehan and He1
bert SIENNA.
City Commended
At the same time the Welfare d
vision recommended action on tn
home, it heartily commended tn
city government for carrying OF
.. the second of three recommends
tons on the juvenile program ret
commended by the group to tn
Board of County Commissioner
on July 10, 1913 - that of az
pointing two additional probatio
officers to assist the judge of tn
!, juvenile court.
The three-point program laid bt
fore the county government la.
summer called for consolidation {
| the city and county juvenile cour,
and formation of a new combine
court Of domestic relations and il
venile delinquency as soon as 1el
islation permits, naming Of the az
ditional probation officers; an
major improvement of the pre-!
ent juvenile home pending cor
struction of new building. Onl
the second point has been acte
upon.
The recommendations Of the we
fare body have had the support {
the Kiwanis club and the Junic
Chamber Of Commerce. o..
| In other action of the welfa,
workers. Mrs. Helen Galloway We
named secretary Of the division.
Regular meetings were agree
upon for the third Thursday i