Evening star., 1955-07-11
Bennett Urges
D. {. 10 Build
Own Prison

Because the Nations Federal
prisons are oVercrowded and
contain the highest number of
Inmates in history. Director
James v. Bennett Of the Fed
eral Bureau of Prisons today
again advised the District to
construct its own prison facilities.
He urged appropriate legisla-
ton without delay to solve the
problem.
Mr.. Bennett told the District
eral Brownell for the first six
months of 1855. Mr.. Bennett
pointed out that Federal institu-
tions are now caring for 992
violators of the Districts criminal
laws. There are 584 adult
prisoners sentenced in District
Court and 408 juveniles, over
which Juvenile Court here had
jurisdiction. Some Of the latter
are confined in the National
Training School for Boys here.
Sees Assistance Ending
Mr.. Bennett told the District
Commissioners in his report that
their growing dependence on
the Federal system can no longer
be justified" Not for much
longer. he contended, can the
Federal institutions continue to
carry the Districts burden. The
space is needed for those who
commit offenses against the
Federal Government itself.
Donald Clemmer, director of
the Districts Department Of Cor
rections. upheld Mr.. Benefits
suggestion that the District
should have its own prison sys-
tenn. He declared he has been
advocating that for more than
10 years, but without success.
Apart from those held for vio-
lations Of the Districts own laws,
the Federal prisons held 293 res
idents Of the National Capital
for infractions of purely Fed
eral laws, the report pointed out.
Mr.. Clemmer explained that
the District uses Federal prisons
just as cities use State prisons.
Mr.. Clemmer pointed out that
the District now is caring for
from $500 to $500 felons-the
number varies monthly-at Lor-
ton, Va.
Mr.. Clemmer said that if the
District Commissioners and Con-
greSs approve a new facility for
adult felons would be erected
also on the $500 acres at Lorton.
The Commissioners have given
consideration to this but cannot
see their way clear to financing
lit, the corrections chief ex-
planned. This building would
house TOO to 800 prisoners.
New Youth Institution
A new youth corrections insti-
tuition is also to be erected at
Lorton, he said. Plans for this
are nearing completion and it
will be started within a year.
With these new facilities
erected, Mr.. Clemmer said, the
District Government could take
care of all it's inmates except
those mental cases sent to st.
Elizabeths Hospital and the drug
cases that go to the United States
Public Health Service Hospital
in Lexington. Ky.
Mr.. Bennett told the Attorney
General the peak load Of more
than 10000 prisoners is an in
crease of 470 over a year ago.
He attributed this largely to
longer sentences imposed in re-
cent years by the judges.
Mr.. Bennett told a reporter
that while his report does not
directly advocate immediate re-
moval of the National Training
School for Boys. Bladensburg
road and South Dakota avenue
NE, from the District, it is in
the long-range plans. The bu-
reau hopes to obtain funds from
Congress for new capital i'm
provements that would permit
the erection of new maximum
security institution for new Of
tenders elsewhere. The location
Of this was not disclosed.