Evening star., 1946-03-07
DC. Jail Aide Charqes
Gill Program Reduced
Control Of Prisoners

A rehabilitation program intro
duced at the District Jail by Howard
B. Gill, suspended superintendent
of penal institutions, reduced Gus
todial control, a witness testified
today before board of inquiry
hearing the case for removal of Mr..
Gill.
The witness, Thomas r. Sard,
chief clerk and deputy superintend-
ent of the Jail, said the program
entailed added duties for guards,
who complained that they already
were overworked An activity room
established for prisoners in cell
block 3 made 1t necessary for one
guard to control two areas, he added.
When Mr.. Gill took over, he an
nounced he intended to carry out
the recommendations of the Rover
report for Improvements at the jail
and would make it his policy to
establish decent routine, normal
conditions and significant case
work" Mr.. Sard reported
Prisoners Studied.
Mr.. Gill established a committee
including representatives of the
Council of Social Agencies and the
Bureau of Rehabilitation to study
five prisoners, diagnose the reasons
for their crimes and prescribe treat
ment, the witness said. Two guards
were requested to report on "signifi-
cant actions" by the prisoners, he
testified. The penal superintendent
also put guards on a committee to
discuss with prisoners their prob
lens, he said.
Mr.. Sard testified that Mr.. Gill
once criticized him for making a
remark critical of the penal super
intendent during an interview with
prisoner The witness did not
know of any instance in which
Mr.. Gill violated prison procedure
by granting interviews to prisoners
without going through channels.
One Of the charges is that Mr.. Gill
encouraged prisoners to interview
him without the prior knowledge of
officers in immediate charge.
Reporters Rights Upheld.
The right of newspaper reporters
to interview prisoners held for court
action was established today by John
j. Wilson, defense attorney, to refute
charge that Mr.. Gill permitted un-
authorized persons to visit inmates.
Mr.. Sard yesterday identified per-
mits initiated by Mr.. Gill allowing
several reporters to interview a pris-
oner whose name was withheld. Mr..
Wilson demanded that Assistant
Corporation Counsel Chester H.
Gray produce an order. signed by
Ray L. Huff, director of welfare, per-
mitting reporters to interview pris-
oners awaiting court action, with
permission of the penal superintend-
ent.
Mr.. Gray said today that two en-
ployeS of the Board of Public We'll
fare searched for three hours with
out finding trace of such an order.
Mr.. Wilson then produced an order
dated December 4, 1899. It requires
the prisoner to agree to the inter-
view.
Mr.. Gray agreed that the order
was authentic but declined to with
draw his exhibits.
Testifies to Swearing.
Jesse R. Knight, a lieutenant of
the watch at the Jail, testified that
Mr.. Gill "swore" at him because of
key found in death cell follow
ing the escape of five prisoners
from the Jail November "a.
Mr.. Knight said he had no idea
how the key got there and that it
would not open any door in the
Jail. The key was taken by po-
lice sergeant, and the captain of
the watch said the matter was not
important enough to report, Mr..
Knight added.
When Mr.. Gill read in the news
papers of the discovery of a key,
he called in Mr.. Knight and used
abusive language" the witness
said. ACi IN, on December 5, Mr..
Gill cursed members of the GUS
todial staff, he continued.
Il was so nervous, couldn't begin
to tell you all he said" Mr.. Knight
remarked. He damned this and
damned that and said we were
no good"
Would Require Changes"
Asked by Mr.. Gray if he could
work with Mr.. Gill If the penal
superintendent were restored to
duty, the witness said: