Chapter XX: Appendix: VII

The head of the Madras Medical Department Dr. Edward Balfour, visited this jail in August, 1863, and thus recorded his opinion:--

The point that most struck me in the management of this jail
were the diversified occupations and evident industry of its
inmates, and their complete employment. The mass were actively
working, and the few were superintending those engaged in
labour. I have not before seen the various labouring industries
of artizans so largely introduced in any jail, nor have I seen
such diligence in their labour. Blacksmiths' and tinsmiths'
work, carpentry and sawmills, carving and coopering,
stonemasons, manufacture of coir and woollen yarn for blankets,
weaving door-mats, and printing too, all in active operation
inside the jail, with wood-cutting, brick and tile works, and
vegetable gardens without. Daily task work, and its allotment
and registration as to quantities performed in the jail, may be
operating to produce the application to the work before them
which the prisoners were everywhere giving. The hospital and
its arrangements were very perfect. The well-kept floor, the
clean cots, and the very small number of about twenty inmates
out of a strength of 2,000, may be taken as indicative of the
care in all other sanitary arrangements. Both the sickness and
mortality seems very small. I have been much gratified with
what I have seen, and have learned some points of interest and
value.