Porter County Jail, Valparaiso. Visited August 24, 1908. L. M. Green, sheriff. The capacity of the jail is 24, but there were only 5 prisoners at the time of this visit.
The building is constructed of brick, stone, and iron. The cell house is surrounded by an open yard with a high brick wall around it. Inside the cell house walls, which are of stone, is the iron cage with separate cells each large enough for six hammocks. There are also two cells for women and two to be used for children. These are within the cell house corridor, but with the doors closed they are out of sight of the men. The jail seems very strong and appears entirely safe. The ventilation is excellent. The building is well lighted during the day from large windows on either side and electricity is used at night. The jail is heated by a hot water plant and is supplied with city water. The jail is in excellent sanitary condition. The plumbing was recently put in good repair and the sewerage is excellent. There is connection with the city sewerage system. There is one bath tub in one of the women’s cells, which can be used by all prisoners almost all the time. The prisoners bathe weekly and change their underclothing once a week. The bedding is fairly good and is washed once in two weeks. Most of the hammocks are old and pretty well worn. There are a few wooden chairs about the jail. There are no rules. The prisoners could be classified. They are not occupied. Some reading matter is furnished. Religious services are held by the Salvation Army once a week. Tramps are admitted at the discretion of the sheriff.
If the floor in the cell cage were repaired and a bath tub placed in the men’s department, this jail would be in good shape. It is in good hands and seems to be well kept.
This information originally appeared on page 172 of Indiana’s Board of State Charities 1908 report.