Evening star., 1947-02-05
Advisory Unit Urged
For Juvenile Court
In Alexandra Survey
By Robert c. RoIIinqs

e11u 4<OAuCotlC 1NCAdt1U1Ao SOu4 Y 10 tAaC
chief recommendation concerning
the court in the corrections section
of the social survey report.
The corrections section, now under
study by the Council of Social
Agencies which sponsored the sur
vey, also makes recommendations
regarding other Alexandria courts
the public schools, the police de-
partment, the Jail and recreation
and group work agencies.
The Juvenile and Domestic Rela-
tions Court, the report notes, sis
faced with several problems, among
which are lack of adequate quarters,
small staff and no detention facil-
tities.''
(Since the survey was made
last summer, however, steps have
been. taken by the city and the
judge which eliminate, at least
partially, the reasons for the rec
concentrations concerning court
quarters and detention facilities.)
Held Serious Problem.
Recommendations for the Juvenile
and Domestic Relations Court are
made "in the light of the seriouness
of the problems, the report points
out.
There has been much discussion
among those interested in the court
regarding the appointment OF an
Advisory Committee as provided for
in Virginia law" the report con-
tinues, adding, however:
"The prevailing opinion of juve-
nile court judges In Virginia Is
against the use of such committees
and none has been appointed"
Recommendations, in addition to
the appointment Of the Advisory
Committee, include these:
That the court and the Advisory
Committee "set up a careful system
Of record-keeping, covering every
complaint and disposition known to
and made by the court"
That the court engage the services
Immediately" Of one additional
male probation officer, q Negro
social worker, and a full-time stem
ographer for the probation Office.
Pooling of Facilities Urged.
That plan be developed to per-
NIT an extensive use Of community
agencies for the treatment Of proba-
ton cases, especially those involving
definite family problems.
That the court and the Advisory
Committee outline complete plan
for permanent court quarters and
determine facilities.
That consideration be given to the
possibility of pooling financial re-
sources with Arlington and Fairfax
in building a detention facility for
the joint use of the three jurisdic-
tions.
(Since the survey report was
written, the court has been moved
into larger temporary quarters
and work is progressing on per-
manent quarters. The State De-
partment of Public Welfare ap-
proved the latter but rejected
plans for other than overnight
detention facilities at the head
quarters.
(Plans for a dentention home
for the joint use of the three
jurisdictions, favored by the State
Department of Public Welfare,
are presently "up in the air." ac-
cording to Alexandria City Man
ager Carl Budwesky.)
The Juvenile and Domestic Rela-
tions Court, the Civil and Police
Court and the Corporation Court
should publish reports "at least an
|nually," the survey declares.
Would Add Policewoman.
"Such reports, incorporated In the
report of the city manager, would
give the citizens of Alexandria an
opportunity to form an accurate
estimate of the efficiency Of judicial
processes" the findings contended.
Regarding the Police Depart
ment the report recommends that
sick leave and retirement be em-
bodied in department regulations,
that a policewoman be added to
the force "as soon as accommoda-
tions can be provided" and that
serious consideration be given to
referring alcoholics to clinics and
hospitals in cooperation with AL
coholics Anonymous instead OF putt
ting them In jail.
For Improvement Of the jail the
report supports recommendations OF
the Virginia jail inspector re- ard
ing providing Of safe for val
uables Of inmates and taking GER
tain security measures. In addi-
ton the report recommends con-
sideration be given to development
Of work and recreation programs,
that inmates be given q physical
examination within "a hours Of
their admission, that chaplain serv-
ice be provided and that an isola-
ton block for diseased prisoners
be set up.
Joint Jail Suggested.
It also was suggested that con-
sideration be given to the joint use
of q single Jail for Alexandria, Ar
lington and Fairfax. This, the re-
port points out, is not . new idea
for Virginia, since several counties