Annual Report of the Prison Association of New York for the Year

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ...and for rags and papers to be hidden in corners and behind pipes, and by all means no necessity for having the toilet equipment in a wretched condition. The jail can be safely termed an antiquated, unsanitary fire trap. RECOMMENDATIONS That the Board of Supervisors of this county should consider at once the question of erecting a new jail because the present jail is inadequate, unsanitary, and classification and separation is impossible. That the following recommendations be carried out in order to improve conditions in the present jail until a new jail is constructed: (1) Bathing facilities for men and boys should be installed. (2) The spacing between the ceiling of the first floor and the flooring of the second should be cleaned of all rubbish and the small trap door which leads to this opening should be nailed down, thus discontinuing the practice of using this opening as a means of disposing of the sweepings and rubbish from this section on the second floor. (3) The toilet equipment throughout the entire jail should be overhauled and put in working order and in a sanitary condition. (4) The sheriff should make it a practice to visit the jail oftener in order to see that the general cleanliness is improved. (5) That some means be devised so that the law relating to the classification of prisoners can be carried out. (6) That the practice of using the jail as a town lockup be discontinued. (7) That the windows in the lower section be kept open so as to do away with the foul odor and damp atmosphere. (8) That the practice of using the tables and radiators and window-sills as store places for worthless paper and books be discontinued. (9) That the mattresses in women's quarters be refilled with fresh straw and the ticks washed. (10) That more...