This building is constructed entirely of hollow tile and stucco
corridors of cement, and rear stair and front stair fireproof towers
of metal, and fire glass construction with cement stairways. The
room floors and nursery floor, living room floor, and dining room are
of hardwood construction, but you will note that all exits and main
corridors are fireproof.
General plan of using gray slate roof on our institution buildings has
been adopted. Dormer windows in the roof give ample storage space in
the attic for clothing and other stock. The laundry is situated in the
basement, and here the mothers are taught properly to care for their
infants’ clothing.
The other cottages are similar to those which are built for younger
delinquent girls in State industrial schools, without prison
construction, strong doors, or window-bars, except that in some
cottages the lower window-sash is protected by an iron grill which
obstructs but does not prevent egress. Some of the cottages are old
farmhouses which have been repaired and equipped with plumbing in order
to adapt them to their present use.
[Illustration: MATERNITY COTTAGE--FIRST FLOOR PLAN]
It must be borne in mind that all the women in this institution are
committed for criminal offenses, including many petty offenses and sex
offenses. They include also such crimes as grand larceny, burglary,
assault with intent to kill, atrocious assault and battery, highway
robbery, and manslaughter.
There are no walls or high fences surrounding the buildings.
Notwithstanding the absence of prison walls and prison buildings, the
number of escapes is very small and escaping prisoners are usually
recovered within a few hours.
The institution was opened January 8, 1912, and it has received 584
women. Of these, 33 have escaped, of whom 25 have been recaptured and
8 still remain at large. This makes a record of only one and one-third
per cent of successful escapes, which in view of the absence of prison
restraints is a remarkable record. It certainly justifies the policy
of the Board of Managers in adopting the cottage plan and discarding
prison walls.
[Illustration: MATERNITY COTTAGE--SECOND FLOOR PLAN]