
Report of the Commissioners of the Ohio Reform School
[submitted to the Governor by] Chas. Reemelin, John A. Foot, James D. Ladd, Commissioners of the Ohio Reform School. Stab-stitched 8vo, 20pp + folding chart. Soil to covers, rubbing around the edges with lower left corner abraded but overall Very Good with minor foxing. OCLC lists 2 digital holdings only. Prompted by outrage over boys being held with adult offenders at the Ohio State Penitentiary, the bill to establish a reform institution was passed in 1856. The report contains information considered in establishing the "State Reform Farm," which operated from 1858 to 1884, when it changed to the Boys' Industrial School. It was organized on the "cottage system" of reform, which prioritized "delinquents" as pupils and "family" members. It stressed communal action and the role of adults as positive influences to be consistently present for the boys' daily life. Includes correspondence on planning matters, considerations of land and combining religious and academic instruction with regi