Evening star., 1946-04-19

advisory responsibility for broad
penal and rehabilitation policies and
the Commissioner would, OF course,
continue to retain their general
executive powers over the correction
department and see that 1t was EN-
GENTLY, economically, honestly and
intelligently operated.
But all administrative details, in
cluding selection, Advancement and
discipline Of personnel, promulga-
ton Of rules and regulations, upkeep
of plant, maintenance of control and
discipline Of inmates, and develop
ment Of the details Of the inmate
treatment program, would be left In
the hands Of the department Of cor
rections.
Legislative Action Not Needed.
IAN Of this could be accomplished
Immediately and without legislative
action.
Obviously, to accomplish this
without legislative action, imme-
diately and for the immediate
safety OF the community, there must
be full cooperation and under
standing between the Board of
Public Welfare and the District of
Columbia Commissioners. They
must be in full agreement and ac-
cord and waive all technicalities of
legislative recourse in an effort to
guarantee Immediately to the Dis
trict Of Columbia its full protec-
ton from escaped criminals"
Proposing the loan" of a tempo
rary director Of corrections from
the Federal prisons system, the SUBJ
committee added: This individ-
ual, If obtained, should be given
immediate authority to put into
effect at once all necessary changes
in personnel and in operations nee.
essary for the full protection Of the
public.
"The situation in the District
of Columbia institutions is criti.
cal and 1t cannot be permitted te
continue without fortnight anc
competent leadership"
Gilrs Usefulness Held At End.
It was pointed out that the At.
torney General had indicated hi
would be glad to cooperate anc
undoubtedly would make available
some trained person to direct loca
prisons.
The committee said 1t did not de.
sire to discuss or make any conclu.
sions regarding the charges against
Mr.. Gill. Yet, the report added, "be.
cause Of the very nature of these
charges and subsequent develop.
ments, and the complete breakdown
Of the morale and discipline in tn,
penal system, the usefulness of tn,
general superintendent 50 far as tn,
District Of Columbia penal institu'
tions are concerned is at an end"
The report added: "Your com,
mittee makes the observation tha
regardless of the ability of the pres
ent general superintendent, an i'm
passe has arisen whereby he canno
under any circumstances be con
tinued in the capacity of genera
superintendent.
Your committee is also of tn
opinion that the present residen
superintendent Of the jail has beel
made an unwilling and unwittin,
victim of divided responsibility an,
lack of coordination by his superior
in the Jail operation and custodia
practice. He has been placed in tn
unfortunate position of being calle,
l,,roy. 20 eArya y,.ara than oy,o ~ q 81 q
and at a loss to know and to de
termine which one to serve at tn
moment.
Situation Called Unfortunate.
This has resulted in a most I'm
fortunate situation, SO far as he l
concerned, but at the same tim
indicates that he, too, cannot con
tinue to serve toward any useful EN-
In his present capacity. Your com
mittee. however, makes this observa
ton, that the present resident su
perintendent has been made q vic
tim Of circumstances over which b
had no control and has suffered II
his capacity as result OF thes
circumstances" p"
/ The report assailed divided re
sponsibility and hesitancy in . fell
of law enforcement where decision
and fortnight action are indis
pensible."
It was stated:
This octopus Of divided respon
sibility finds its tentacles strangulat
ing all hope Of authority which
might offer q solution to this i'm
mediate problem and other prob
lens which arise from time to time
"Basically and Fundamentally
your committee finds that one.
again this lack Of responsibilit,
and direct authority which are thl
offspring Of the laws which have
been enacted by Congress for ths
operation of the District govern.
ment can be charged with the two.
headed monster now threatening
the welfare of the District of Co.
lumbia, as a result of which ther,
cannot be safe incarceration of tn,
criminals"
The subcommittee found tina
present difficulties in the pena
system stem partially from certain
basic shortcomings in the organi.
rational structure and just com.
mensurate financial support of thu
District government, and PARTIAL,
from the failure of the Board ol
Public Welfare, which is the cog.
nizant authority in the control o.
the penal institutions, to compl,
with fundamental penalogical pro.
cedures and standards"
Pointing out that the changes II
the basic difficulties relating to tn.
administration of the District gov
eminent cannot be awaited, the re.
port said the prison system mean.
while could be placed on a basi!
where it can fully protect the pub.
lie and faithfully and undeviatingly
carry out the orders Of the courts.
The committee found "a deplor'
able lack of discipline and recogni.
ton of authority In the guard per.
sonnel of the District Jail" Thi!
breakdown Of morale and discip'
line, it was added, has resulted
from small infractions of genera
rules Of discipline which at the mo.
ment were not perhaps of great i'm.
portance but which subsequent,