CHAPTER XXXI. [Containing Tables 160-166.] REFORM SCHOOLS. Statistics for the year 1906-7 relating to 96 reformatories and industrial schools are given in this chapter. Some of these institutions are known as reform schools, some as industrial training schools, some as houses of refuge, and a few as parental schools. In nearly all cases the inmates have been committed in accordance with State laws. Perhaps thousands of the inmates have not been guilty of criminal acts, but the authorities have attempted to rescue all of them from criminal environment. The number of inmates of the 96 institutions reporting to this Bureau for 1906-7 was 35,231, the number of boys being 27,328 and the number of girls 7,903. There were 26,774 white inmates-20,660 boys and 6,114 girls, and 3,995 colored inmates-2,961 boys and 1,034 girls. These items are given in Table 160. Table 161 shows that 13,089 of the inmates were American born of American parents, 1,985 American born with one American parent, 4,061 American born with both parents foreign born, and 1,465 were foreign born. It is shown in Table 162 that 2,139 of the inmates could neither read nor write when committed, and 1,203 could read the second reader, but could not write when committed. The number committed during the year was 13,032 and the number discharged 12,505. The average number for the year was 21,299. Table 163 shows that 23,473 of the 35,231 inmates were taught in the schools of these institutions. The average number of teachers employed was 710-a number far too small considering the unusual difficulties with which they must contend. The average number of assistants employed not as teachers was 2,068. Of the total number of inmates, only 23,916 were being taught useful trades or occupations. Of the 12,505 discharged during the year, 11,349 could read and write. Table 165 is an exhibit of property and a statement of the expenditures for the reformatories and industrial schools for 1906-7. The value of grounds and buildings aggregated $24,431,808, and scientific apparatus was valued at $926,364. The schools had 101,336 volumes in their libraries. The endowment of a number of schools amounted to $533,331. The aggregate expenditure of these institutions for all purposes for the year was $5,325,904, distributed as follows: For educational administration $513,889, for buildings and permanent improvements $1,338,223, and for all other current expenses $3,473,792. In the North Atlantic Division there were 34 of the 96 schools. These schools had 242 teachers and 7,498 pupils. There were 15,157 inmates-13,012 males and 2,145 females, 7,155 of the total number receiving industrial training. The value of grounds and buildings was $12,311,042, or more than one-half the value of all the property occupied by reformatories in the United States. The expenditure for buildings and improvements was $313,932, for school administration $206,884, and for other current expenses $1,464,964. Reports were received from 14 reformatories in the South Atlantic. Division. There were 1,764 pupils instructed by only 68 teachers. There were 154 assistants caring for inmates. In these schools 2,045 of the 3,381 inmates were learning useful trades. So far as reported, 2,362 of the inmates belonged to white schools and 1,019 to negro schools. The value of grounds and buildings was $1,915,000. Expenditures on buildings amounted to $205,012, for school administration $30,060, while $254,170 was expended for maintenance. The South Central Division reported only seven reform schools, with 57 teachers and 2,074 pupils. The institutions had 2,513 inmates, 1,533 being taught useful trades. In white reformatories there were 2,018 inmates and in negro schools 495. The value of grounds and buildings was $676,660. For improvements there was an expenditure of only $36,250, for school administration $1,600, and for support $133,682. There are 30 reformatories in the North Central Division, with 246 teachers and 8,332 pupils. There were 12,426 inmates-8,427 males and 3,999 females. Of the inmates, 9,496 were receiving training in useful trades. The 30 schools occupied property valued at $8,812,578, upon which $732,730 had been expended during the year. The expenditure for school administration was $199,102, and for support was $1,424,835. In the Western Division there were 11 reform schools, with 55 teachers and 1,352 pupils. There were 1,754 inmates-1,519 males and 235 females. The number taught useful trades was 1,367. The institutions occupied property valued at $1,716,588. Buildings and improvements cost $50,299, school administration $76,243, while $196,141 was expended for the support of these institutions. THE ELMIRA REFORMATORY. The following extract from the thirtieth annual report of the board of managers of the New York State Reformatory, at Elmira, will indicate the scope of the work now attempted by the leading State |