Oral Histories

Interview of Rhea C. Ackerman

Assistant superintendent at Los Angeles Juvenile Hall and assistant administrator at Children’s Hospital.
Subtitle:
Juvenile Hall Superintendent: 1936-1943
Series:
Z: Orphan Interviews pre 1999
Topic:
Politics and Government
Biographical Note:
Assistant superintendent at Los Angeles Juvenile Hall and assistant administrator at Children’s Hospital.
Interviewer:
Schippers, Donald J.
Interviewee:
Ackerman, Rhea C.
Place Conducted:
Hollywood Plaza Hotel in Hollywood, California.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Interviewer Background and Preparation:
The interview was conducted by Donald J. Schippers, Interviewer-Editor, Oral History Program, UCLA; B.A., UCLA; M.A., American history, Occidental College; M.L.S., library service, UCLA.
Processing of Interview:
The transcript was edited by Patricia Waring, Bibliographer II, UCLA Oral History Program. A verbatim transcription of the tape recordings was completed in March 1969, The editor did an audit-edit check of the manuscript, checking the transcript against the original tape. Editing was minor in nature; punctuation was introduced, spelling corrected, names verified, syntax emended only slightly when necessary. The manuscript was retained in the order that the material was recorded during the interviews. The editing was completed in January 1970. The edited transcript was sent to the respondent in February 1970 and returned in April of the same year.Ackerman reviewed and approved the edited transcript from which the following final manuscript was typed. She made minor corrections and deletions of occasional words or phrases and added some material by way of clarification and elaboration, including the verification of proper names the editor was unable to locate.The index was prepared by Melanie Rangno, Editor, UCLA Oral History Program, and the supporting documents by the Program's staff.
Length:
7.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Abstract:
First employment at Los Angeles Juvenile Hall, 1929; preparation for work with problem children; assistant superintendent, 1929-36, superintendent, 1936-43; conditions in Ju-venile Hall during early years; description of children held in facility; procedures for education, discipline, food, visitors; changes in procedures during tenure; relations with other county agencies and officials; innovations such as Girls Club; controversy over enlargement of Juvenile Hall; subsequent resignation; work as assistant administrator of Los Angeles Childrens Hospital, 1943-51; appointment as director of public relations at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, 1954-59.