Chap. 259.—An ACT to Amend and Re-enact Sections 4 and 5, Chapter 50,
Code of 1860, in Relation to Inspection of Jails.

Approved March 29, 1871.

1. Be it enacted, That sections four and five of chapter
fifty, Code of Virginia (eighteen hundred and sixty), be
amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows: :

“$4. The county or corporation court of every county or
corporation, shall, at its first term after the commencement of
this act, and annually thereafter, appoint three persons, one ot
whom shall be a physician, to inspect the’ jails within such
county district or corporation. The judge shall administer to
them the following oath: ‘ You shall report to the court as to
the (or each) jail in this county (or corporation), the size thereof,
the number of its apartments, and its state or condition;
whether it is in all respects such as is required by the second
section of the fiftieth chapter of the Code: and if not, in what
it is deficient. You shall also diligently examine and truly re-
port whether or no the jailor has, during the last three months,
faithfully performed the duties required of him by the third
section of the said chapter; and if he has not, in what respect
he has failed to perform the same.’ The said inspectors shall
make quarterly inspections, and report as above provided;
shall be furnished for their guide with a copy of the said oath
and of the said second and third sections. If they make a re-
port which fails in any respect to conform to said oath, it shall
be recommitted to them until they fully report upon all of said
matters.

Ҥ5. If it appear to the county or corporation court, by
such report or other evidence, that the jailor has in any respect
failed to perform his duties, the said court may, in a summary
way, after summoning him to show cause against it, fine him
not exceeding thirty dollars. The reports made by inspectors
as above, shall be laid before the circuit court having jurisdic-
tion in the county or corporation, if the judge of such circuit
court so request; and if in his judgment a special inspection
of any jail is necessary, he may call upon the inspectors ap-
pointed by the county or corporation court, to appoint special
inspectors for that purpose.”

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.