New York House of Refuges

1. Harold Sowards
Juvenile Justice
New York House of Refuges

2. Background
• 18th and 19th century courts punished and confined youths in jail even
with noncriminal behavior because there was no other options
• US population boomed from 1.5 to 23 million during this period

3. Founders
• Thomas Eddy and John Griscom –Society for the Prevention of
Pauperism and Crime
• Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents

4. The First Refuge
• New York House of Refuge (Incorporated 1824, opened on January
1,1825)
• Why?
Create a place for youth (arrested, vagrant or homeless) to be
received and while there will be taught to read and write and do math
while being offered treatment to better their lives
• First superintendent: Mr. Joseph Curtis
Started off with 6 girls and 3 boys

5. Funding
• April, 1825 given $2000 a year over 5 year period
• Wanted: $8000 per year from Hospital/Passenger Fund
$10,000 from Excise Fund
$250 to $500 in licenses from attractions such as
carnivals/theaters/circuses
• Given to them: $40 per inmate
$8000 per year from the city and up to $5800 from licenses

6. Additions
• 1839- 23rd Street, East River
• 1844- $5500 from Board of Education
• 1849- Western House of Refuges opens (change in jurisdiction)
• 1852- gets 40-50 acres of Randall’s Island, East River by giving up their
property on 23rd Street (now can hold an additional 750 inmates)
• Autumn 1854- Boys House opened
• May, 1857- Female House opened

7. School
• Writing
• Reading
• Math
• Religion
• Boys: 5 teachers: 3 males and 2 females
• Girls: 2 female teachers

8. Grade System
• 4
• 3
• 2
• 1
• Class of Honor

9. Religion
• Held every Sabbath by the Chaplain and the Head Teacher
• Consists of:
2 sermons and 2 Sunday School classes
The boys attend them in the audience room and the girls attend inn the
gallery

10. Punishments
• Solitary confinement
• Ducking stool (girls)
• Handcuffs
• Silent system

11. Labor
• Males: Make brushes, cane chairs, brass nails and shoes
• Females: Make laundry, do laundry and other domestic work
• Hours: No interfering with lunch, school and religious activities

12. Reform was Needed
• 19th Century
• Hull House
• 1899 and the 1st Juvenile Court in Chicago, Illinois

13. References
• http://www.usprisonculture.com/blog/2011/02/03/punishing-
children-houses-of-refuge-juvenile-justice/
• http://www.nytimes.com/1860/01/23/news/our-city-charities-the-
new-york-house-of-refuge-for-juvenile-delinquents.html

14. Thanks for your time 