Evening star., 1944-07-07
Rutland Offers Plan
For Air-Conditionino
System in D. T.. Jail
Meeting Today Will Study
improvement Proposals.;
More Funds Needed

De air conditioned by dry Ice e-elec-
trio fan system was made today by
Health Ofiicer George c. Ruhland
as oficials here called q conference
to discuss measures to improve con-
ditions for the approximately 500
prisoners.
The meeting will be held at the
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 every
thing We can to make conditions at
the Jail as ivable as possible. We
hope that some effective solutions
TO the problem will be arrived at"
Lack Outdoor Recreation.
Meanwhile, tour of the Jail yes
terday 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, 1t was
found that, although seriously ham
dicapped by lack Of funds, Jail ON
cials have effected some improve
ments in line with the recent Rover
Committee report recommending
numerous changes in the Jail setup.
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. Daily
outdoor exercise, however, is out of
the question until added appropria-
tlons are secured for hiring addi-
tlonal guards. Only the fact that
Jail activity is reduced over the week
end and guards are released for yard
duty permits even limited exercise.
Onclals are unanimous in admit
ting that daily outdoor activity is
needed to maintain the mems health
and sustain their morale, Antici-
pating the day when additional
funds will permit everyday usage of
the yard, volley ball courts and a
softball diamond have been set up.
Probably the major Improvement
is the establishment of a Jail cam
teen. operated by the Society for the
Blind. Twice a 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.
Eat Lorton Leftovers.
Until the establishment of the
canteen last month, none of these
services was available. The only
outside food they could get was left
over items from Lorton CvaD re-
formatory. Usually. officials saw.
this consisted of stale candy bars
and old magazines.
Use of the indoor recreation hall
has been extended from one and
half to three hours a day. 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 unbearably hot
during the summer. The tempera-
ture was in the COS when the re-
porter visited 1t 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, 1t 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 jails 479
inmates. There is q 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-
f1ciency appropriation for needed
Improvements are pending before
the Department of Public Welfare.