The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-06-08
CONDITIONS OF JAlLS
m STATE REPORTED
TO BE MUCH lMPRO OWED

Raleigh.-They may have place
for you-in the county Jail. You
had better hope it is at least
clean and decent place to stay un-
til you can get released.
Suddenly and unexpectedly you
may find yourself therein one
of. North Cardinals county jails,
says the State Board of Public
Welfare.
But, you say, you are not going
to be put in Jail; you are a pretty
good citizen. The records show
that many a good citizen has gone
to JAIL.
Here are few typical instances
(you may be among them some
day..
You are on an automobile trip
far away from home and become
involved in a serious accident
where someone is injured. You do
not have sufficient money with
you to put up bond and it may
be impossible for you to contact
any friend-into Jail you go.
Or, you are in distant commu-
nity-you look like some person
wanted by the authorities for a
criminal offense in another State
= you may be lodged in Jail and
held on suspicion until you can
clear yourself by proper identifi-
cation.
Or, you are a diabetic and driv-
ing your car while undergoing an
attack which makes you drive
erratically because of dizziness.
Some officer puts you in Jail for
driving while intoxicated. You will
stay there until the matter is
Strengthened out.
Or, you may attend some gay
party and drive home when you
are actually under the influence
of alcohol-you may land in Jail
and remain there until you clear
up.
This sort of situation happens
too frequently for the. average
good citizen to remain unconcern-
ed about the conditions in North
Cardinals jails. Fortunately much
has been done and is being done
to improve county and city jails
in the State.
Over the past six years, here
are some of the improvements
that have been brought about, ac-
cording to the records Of the State
Board of Public Welfare, which
supervises these facilities under
State Law.
Eight new county jails have
been built; nine county jails have
been remodeled; sixteen county.
jails have undergone major repairs
and have been reconditioned; one
new county Jail is under construc-
ton; and three county jails are
now in the blueprint stage with
money. available for completion of
planned improvements. Sixteen new
town and city jails have been built
and eighteen have undergone major
repairs and reconditioning. One
town Jail is under construction.
Unsatisfactory jails in the State
have been closed during this six
year period. A total of fifty-nine
town and city jails and five county
jails have been closed.
The city and county jails of the
State are inspected periodically by
Thomas A. Early, inspector of cor
rectional institutions for the State
Board of Public Welfare. A full
report of the conditions found in
the Jail including physical aspects,
stating, safety, food, cleanliness,
etc. is made to the appropriate
city or county officials after each
inspection. Recommendations for
improvement are part of the re-
port submitted. Personal confer
ences with sheriffs, jailers, county
commissioners, and judges are fire.
quent as progress is being made
toward some needed improvement.
DR.. Ellen Winston, commissioner
of the State Board Of Public Wei
fare, has this to say about the
progress in Jail improvement,
"County, town, and city officials
have cooperated in a way which
has made the progress in Jail con-
struction and improvement in
North Carolina a matter of pride.
Though not all county and city
jails are yet brought up to the
level they should be to meet mod
ern standards, much progress has
been made. The harmonious work.
ing relationships between the
State Board of Public Welfare and
the local officials give promise of