The evils in the present Cook County Jail, as pointed out by Dean
Kirchwey and his associate, Mr. Winthrop D. Lane, are as follows:
First, insufficient yard space for exercise and separation from the
public. The county owns a piece of ground about 600 feet square on
which are located the Criminal Court, the old jail, and the “new jail”
(built some thirty years ago). To provide a suitable jail yard with
room for exercise would require a space at least 1,200 feet square;
and even with that space the jail yard must necessarily be dark and be
deprived of the free circulation of air because of the proximity of
high buildings.
Second, overcrowding, under conditions which make it practically
impossible to enlarge the present plant, with the result of confining
two or three men in each cell. The jail should be so situated as to
permit of enlargement at any time without disturbing its general plan.
Third, lack of classification. It is generally agreed that prisoners
ought to be divided into classes according to age, color, criminal
experience, condition of health, especially with reference to
communicable diseases, and disposition to attempt escape or inflict
injury upon officers or other prisoners. Such classification is
impossible in a jail of the ancient type which characterizes the
present buildings.
Fourth, enforced association with the worst people to be found in the
county. The prisoners are released from their cells four hours out of
the twenty-four to relieve the bitterness of their confinement under
present conditions and to obtain such exercise as they may by moving
about in the crowded corridors.
Fifth, lack of employment. The constitutional provision that slavery
or involuntary servitude, except for crime, shall not be permitted
within the boundaries of the United States is universally construed to
mean that unconvicted prisoners cannot be compelled to labor. But such
prisoners may be _permitted_ to labor, to their own great benefit; and
the jail should be so constructed as to make it possible to provide
workshops where prisoners may labor voluntarily at simple employments
with proper compensation. An admirable example of the possibility
of such employment is found in the Indiana State Prison at Michigan
City in the department for insane prisoners who formerly stagnated in
the insane wards but who are now diligently, profitably, and happily
employed in a variety of simple industries.
Sixth, lack of exercise and recreation. These unconvicted prisoners
are not only entitled to humane and decent detention pending trial
and conviction, but are entitled to be kept under such conditions as
will not impair their health. Physical exercise is indispensable to
good bodily health, and we have now come to recognize that wholesome
recreation is equally indispensable to mental and spiritual health; and
it is very desirable that both physical exercise and recreation shall
be provided, as far as practicable, outdoors.
Seventh, lack of clinical and hospital provision. The majority of the
inmates of our jails are in need of medical, surgical, dental, or
psychiatric treatment. In many cases their unsocial tendencies are due,
in greater or less degree, to these conditions. It is necessary to
treat those who come in with communicable diseases in order to protect
the other prisoners and to protect the public after their discharge. It
is necessary also (a necessity which is being recognized increasingly
by judges and legislators) to enlist the psychologist and psychiatrist,
both for the study and treatment of such prisoners, in order that they
may be so dealt with as to conserve the public interests.