Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-19

New Superintendent
To Stort Recruiting
Program Soon
Recruitment of veterans for the
guard force of the District Jail and
an in-service training program to
improve the staff are two of the
first steps the Districts new superin-
tendent of penal institutions intends
to take.
Donald Clemmer, appointed yes
terday by the Commissioners to sue
coed Howard B. Gill, also assured
reporters that construction of new
fences, gates and towers will begin
as soon as Congress appropriates the
money.
AS soon as he can move his family
from Atlanta, Ga, where he was
associate warden of the Federal
penitentiary. to the Lorton Reform
atory, Mr.. Clemmer will step into
his new post. He already has worked
for month as assistant to J. Ellis
Oyerlade, loaned by the Federal Blu
reau of Prisons to reorganize the
penal system following a congress
sional investigation, and said he
would continue to work with Mr..
Overlade until that job is completed.
Exact Office Undecided.
1t has not been decided whether
Mr. Clemmer will continue perma-
nently as penal superintendent or
will head the new department of
corrections provided for in a bill
now before the Senate. Mr.. Over
lade said he thought there should
be a penal superintendent as we'll
as director of corrections.
James v. Bennett, head of the
Federal Bureau of Prisons, in whose
Office the press conference took
place, praised Mr.. Clemmer as
man of wide experience" and said
he thought the Commissioners GER
tainly would consider him seriously
for the corrections post Mr.. Over
lade said he would return to his post
as warden of the Federal peniten-
tiary at Terre Haute, Ind, as soon
as the reorganization is complete.
Stockily built and 43 years of age,
Mr.. Clemmer, who looks like pros
porous businessman, was serious and
careful at his first press conference.
When reporters asked If he would
fire any of the present staff, Mr..
Bennett took over and emphasized
that I'VE are not on a head-hunting
expedition" that changes will be
made carefully and slowly.
Seeks Men Through USES.
Mr.. Clemmer said there are many
efficient, hard-working officers at
the Jail. He indicated the first new
recruits would be employed under
the 1947 Appropriations Act provid-
ing for additional positions at the
Jail.
The United States Employment
Service already has been asked to
furnish qualified men, he revealed.
Their appointments will be tenn
porary, until new civil service ex-
animation is given next January.
Thereafter, appointments will be
made from civil service lists.
I'VE soon will start a training
program for some of the present
staff and will broaden it to take
in new recruits as we get them" he
added.
Lack Of training program was
hit in a House District Committee
report that found lax discipline
among the jail's guard force.
Mr.. Clemmer said he hoped to
start vocational training program
for prisoners at the Lorton Reform
atory. but did not believe District
Jail inmates remain long enough to
make one feasible there.
Dodges Gill Controversy.
Questioned on two of the principal
issues in the firing of Mr.. Gill last
April, Mr.. Clemmer skirted contro-
versy. He said he had not seen the
control cells that Mr.. Gill was &C
cused by the Welfare Board of aban-
doning. Mr.. Overlade disclosed,
however, they are now in use.
AS to the housing of juveniles, Mr..
Clemmer asserted they do not be-
long in a Jail but observed that
there might not be any place else
to put them. If available, a secure
room would be preferable to a cell
for tough" 17-year-olds, he added.
Experts from the Federal Bureau
OF Prisons now are studying specific
Jail problems, Mr. Clemmer dis
closed. He will make his plans for
Jail procedure, the commissary, con-
struction, housing, ETC., on the basis
of their reports.
The Welfare Board suspended Mr..
Gill following the escape of five
prisoners last November. The escape
of two convicted murders in April
brought the congressional inquiry.
Mr.. Overlade said the Welfare Board
has co-operated fully in authorizing
recommended changes in the penal
system. The bill passed by the House
and sent to the Senate would strip
the Welfare Board of its powers and
place the Department of Corrections
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