The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-02-09
Jail Food Bill
Shows Good
Eats Purchased
Baltimore Sun Cores
pOndent Tells Of Visit
To Cecil Jail

Louis ]. O'Donnell, who is contri-
buting number of special articles to
the Baltimore Sun on the condition
of jaiis in the various counties OF
the State, in Friday mornings Sun
has the following to say OF the Cecil
County institution at Elkton:
Somebody at the Cecil county jail
in Elkton was exceptionally fond OF
crabmeat-at 81 pound-but in
spectors wko looked over the food
bills and menus of this institution
reported no trace of this delicacy, OF
turkey, chicken and leg of lamb even
having been served to the prisoners.
The Cecil Jail, which is serving a
county in which the population has
jumped from $4,000 as of 1910 to
more than $4,000, and in town
where the population rise was from
$500 to 10000 in the same period
is classed by the inspectors as poor
and ranking twelfth among the 23
county. penal institutions.
The cost of it's operation ranks
high, being set for one year, exclu-
sive of salaries, at $3,4S3, of which
$2,865 was listed for food. On the
food subject, the inspectors report
said
Because of a rumor that the Sheriff
was somewhat extravagant in pur-
chasing groceries, which was not re-
flected in the meals served to the prl-
soners, an examination was made Oh
the entire group of vouchers submit
ted by him during the fiscal yeal
ended June, 1914.
There were 116 of these itemized
statements, to each of which was at
tached a bill from the store in ques-
ton. This examination revealed that
someone at the Jail loved crabmeal
and it is to be assumed that the per-
son or persons in question were moi
prisoners. There were many purchas-
es OF this commodity at 80 cents, So
cents and 81 a pound.
Inept Program
ut was the opinion of MI. Wickes,
who made the examination with me,
and myself, that less than one-thiro
OF the money spent for groceries &C
tually went into meals for prisoners.
AT least there is no indication in the
menu submitted that they received
eggs, fresh vegetables, turkey, chick
en-, leg of lamb, fruit juices, etc.
GAS matter of fact, the food cos,
per day, even with the above-men-
toned abuses, is approximately 81
cents, since the total number of jail
days for the twelve months covered.
was 1851"
Commenting on that section o.
the report dealing with the Cecl.
county Jail at Elkton, Sheriff Ralph
Robinson said last night he had beeh
in charge of the Jail since December,
1912, and during that time he made
monthly reports of food purchase
to the county commissioners.
I"Whoever wrote that don't know
what the hell they are talking about
he declared. 1--WE go to the store, buy
food and send vouchers to the county
commissioners and they approve
them.
1--WE Stand Al -
["We stand Al with the county
commissioners. The Jail food bill is
below that allowed US by the commits
sioners. We are allowed so cents a
day per prisoner and other counties
are allowed rs cents a day and up
ward.
I"As for crabmeat, where are you
going to get crabmeat these days..
would like to know where to buy
some. Our vouchers don't show the
purchases given in the report.
ri invite you to send reporter
up here to make his own inspec-
toni
This (the Cecil county, jail al
the present time provides an excel
lent example of the ineptness of any
program of improvements based sole
~ on structural change without &C
companying attention to administra-
tive policies and practices. After q
series of very critical reports by
State and Federal inspectors, the
county commissioners closed the ole
Jail in 1899 for remodeling and, as
far as the building itself is concern
ed, did fairly good job -.
The Night Supervisor
Attached is photostatic copy Of
price list which was found in the
Jail. The Sheriff disclaimed all know
ledge of it However, this is consis
tent with the practice of permitting 6
trusty to go to store in town t.
make purchases for his fellow in
mates
Theoretically, there Is separate
section for women and juveniles OF
the second floor. However, it is nee.
essary for them to pass through ths
front end of the first floor to reacl
their quarters. There are cots PLACED
ton +sss PsssA