Evening star., 1945-10-13
Jury Demands Action
To Stop Escapes From
CheItenham School

Prompt and effective" action by
officials of the Cheltenham School
for Boys to prevent escapes was
among recommendations by the
Prince Georges County grand jury
for the October term of Circuit
Court in its report submitted yes
terday to Judges Charles C. Mar
bury and John B. Gray, jr.
The grand jury, of which Fred S.
Chichester is foreman, considered
1876 cases. Ninety indictments were
returned, 80 cases were ignored and
eight continued for further inves-
tigation. During the To-day ses-
sion, 298 witnesses were examined.
No specific recommendation were
made for improvement of conditions
ut the Cheltenham School. The jury
explained that its report was con-
fined to statement of facts with
respect to present conditions because
Of the failure of the schools off,
cials to follow recommendation
made by the grand jury for the
April, 1913, term of court. This re-
port could not be obtained.
707 Escape in Year.
In its report, the present grand
fury declared that inmates appar-
emily roam the countryside almost
at will, Committing depredations
and causing constant alarm to the
residents of the community"
During the IL months ending Sep
tember 80, 1945, the report stated,
TOT of the inmates escaped 'or more
literally just left" this number being
three times the present population
Of the school.
About half of those who escaped
were returned by institution author
ities and more than 200 brought back
by citizens, while 80 are still un-
accounted for, the jury said.
Although it could not obtain ac-
curate information concerning the
number of ofienses committed by
the escaped inmates, the jury de-
clared a substantial" number of
criminal offenses was committed in
Prince Georges County.
The group added that there ap-
parently are no facilities or serious
efforts" made to prevent escapes
and escaped inmates who are re-
turned ARE not dealt with in any
way which would tend to discourage
the practice"
Warns of Penalties.
Judge Marhury expressed the hope
that institution officials would take
heed" of the grand jury's charges,
(which must not be disregarded with
impunity" +
He said future grand juries should
determine whether authorities at
the school have taken steps to cor
rect conditions there. If, they have
not, he added, indictments against
them for malfeasance in Sofice may
well be returned"
The grand jury also noted that
the concrete stairway leading down
to the cell block in the Hyattsyille
police station constitutes "poten-
TALLY dangerous condition" and
urged either that alterations be
made to the present stairway or
that an outside entrance be provided
to the Jail.
Two instances were mentioned in
the report in which persons in the
custody of police subsequently, died,
One of the cases ingolvAd Leroyl
Beall, Burtonsville war veteran, whof
died August in the Prince Georges
General Hospital five days after he
was arrested by Laurel police on
drunk and disorderly charges.
The other case involved Alexander
A. Dow of the 2200 block of Six
teenth street NV, who died August
81 in Leland Memorial Hospital,
Riverdale, after he fell down the
steps to the Hyattsville Jail. He
had been taken to the Jail on a
charge of being drunk, according to
police.
"In neither case" the jury report
said, was the death attributable to
improper handling or neglect of
duty on the part of the police.
1T is recommended, however, that
all policemen and others in charge
of prisoners ascertain beyond any
reasonable doubt whether persons
taken into custody require medical
attention Immediately upon their in
generation and to see to it that all
persons who require such attention
receive 1T promptly" s-
The jury also recommended that
plans for the separation of juvenile
and adult prisoners at the county
i. Jail at Upper Marlboro be acted on
as soon as possible.
Those indicted and the charges
against them include:
Norman Woods nnans1a,,rhter IN |