Evening star., 1947-09-26
Judge ReidCaI|s
For New Jail
In Arlington
Candidates Report
Also Urges Mental
Hygiene Clinic

"abnormally low" but there is "ur-
gent" need for better detention
quarters to replace the present
"hopelessly outdated" Jail, County
Trial Justice Hugh Reid declared
today.
In a report to the people who
support the courts" Judge Reid COW
cred the three and one-half years
he has been in Office. He is run
ming for reelection in November.
The report also points up the
need for a mental hygiene clinic, for
separation of the Juvenile Court
from the County Court, for codifi-
cation of county ordinances and for
the need of more persons with
authority to issue warrants.
Jail Defective, Judge Says.
Regarding the more than 40-year-
old Jail, from which three escapes
were made in less than a month
recently, Judge Reid said:
I'm spite of frequent repairs and
additions the fact remains that the
building itself is structurally de-
fective and poor in design. The
proper segregation of sexes is at
tanned with the greatest difficulty
and cleanliness is attained only at
cost of unremitting labor"
The jurist declared great credit"
is due Sheriff Homer BauSerman
for the betterment of the Jail and
the reform of the Jail diet, but it
is still neither decent nor a proper
place for the confinement of pris-
oners."
Courthouse Roof Location Urged.
The Jail should be an integral
part of the courthouse building, the
report declares, and should pref
erably be on the roof with adequate
outdoor space for exercise" Further
large capital expenditures on the
present structure are not recon-
mended and all prisoners serving
sentences should be transferred to
State farms or other county or city
jails, according to the report.
Judge Reid wrote the report prior
to the recent escapes. The men,
one of whom walked out" of jail
twice, have been recaptured. An
tiquated locks and shortage Of Jail
personnel were blamed for their
escapes.
The crime rate in Arlington, the
report states, "is low as compared
with other communities of like pop
ulation. Serious crime is abnormally
low. The felony rate is abnormally
low. Intoxication in a public place
accounts for the largest single group
and9this lis followed by diserderly
conduct. assault and battery and
petty larceny.
With regard to the physical and
mental examination of juveniles,
the report declares "a very deplor-
able situation exists"
Mental Tests Neglected.
The examinations should be- a
part of normal court routine, the
report declares, but because Of lack
of funds the mental examinations
cannot be obtained although physi-
cal examinations are taken care of
by clinics and "public-spirited" pri-
vate physicians.
"A mental hygiene clinic would
solve this problem" Judge Reid said.
I'm its absence the court will con-
tinue to labor under serious handi-
cap until a clinic is in operation or
until the appropriating body (the
County Board realizes the full i'm
portance of the needed facilities"
The report asserts "the time has
now come for actual legal separation
of the Juvenile Court from the
County Court" with the former be-
ing located away from the court
house and removed from the court
house atmosphere.
Only three persons, the report
points out, the trial justice, the sub
stitute trial justice and the Judge
Of the Circuit Court. have authority
to issue warrants. Possibly the Office
OF Justice of. the peace should be
revived or a number of commission
ers in chancery of the Circuit Court
should be empowered by statute to
issue warrants and take bail, the re-
port states.