Chapter III: Part 3

SCOTCH PRISONS.--The Twelfth Report of the Commissioners of the Prisons of Scotland, shows that the average number of persons in custody in the prisons of that kingdom, in 1850, was 2990 against 3143 in 1849. The total expenditure on prison account for the last year was $220,000.

CHARITIES IN LONDON.--Taking the whole of London, and not exempting
from the account such as may be correctly classed as metropolitan
institutions, as Greenwich Hospital, &c., there are no less than
491 charitable institutions, exclusive of mere local endowments
and trusts, parochial and local schools, &c. These charities
comprise--12 general medical hospitals; 50 medical charities
for special purposes; 35 general dispensaries; 12 societies and
institutions for the preservation of life and public morals; 18
societies for reclaiming the fallen and staying the progress of
crime; 14 societies for the relief of general destitution and
distress; 12 societies for relief of specific descriptions of want;
14 societies for aiding the resources of the industrious (exclusive
of loan funds and savings-banks); 11 societies for the deaf and
dumb, and the blind; 103 colleges, hospitals, and institutions
of almshouses for the aged; 16 charitable pension societies;
74 charitable and provident societies, chiefly for specified
classes; 31 asylums for orphan and other necessitous children;
10 educational foundations; 4 charitable modern ditto; 40 school
societies, religious books, church-aiding, and Christian visiting
societies; 35 Bible and missionary societies; showing a total of
491 (which includes parent societies only, and is quite exclusive
of the numerous “auxiliaries,” &c.). These charities annually
disburse, in aid of their respective objects, the extraordinary
amount of £1,764,736, of which upwards of £1,000,000 is raised
annually by voluntary contributions; the remainder from funded
property, sale of publications, &c.

PRISON AT ATHENS.--The following description of an Athenian prison is extracted from a letter of an American citizen, (Rev. Dr. Jonas King,) whose name is doubtless familiar to most of our readers as associated with a very extraordinary exercise of arbitrary power.

_In the Prison of Athens, called Medrese, 9th March, 1852._

I am now in prison, and my name is inscribed among the vilest
malefactors of Greece, in a book kept for the purpose, in which the
names of all who enter are written, with the age, description of
their person, and the crime of which they have been guilty. Mine
is that of preaching the word of God. That of two others here in
chains, is the murder of seventeen persons.

The prison is called Medrese, which is a Turkish word meaning
school; and this is so called, because it was formerly used by
the Turks as a school. Besides myself, there are one hundred and
twenty-five persons. A few days since there were one hundred and
eighty. These occupy eleven small rooms, eight of which are about
ten or eleven feet square, in each of which are from eight to
twelve persons. The other three rooms are perhaps two or three
times as large, and in each are confined twenty-five persons. From
these facts you can judge of the accommodations enjoyed here.
Most of them have no beds on which to sleep, and some not very
warmly clad. It is enough to make one’s heart ache to see them.
The sight of them made me feel that my trials and troubles were
small.--Decent looking men, and the vilest malefactors; men not yet
tried, and who are perhaps innocent, and those who have already
been condemned for piracy, rape, and murder; the youth who has
committed perhaps his first crime, or no crime at all; and those
who have grown old in iniquity, and whose consciences are seared as
with a hot iron, are here crowded together in one common mass, from
which proceeds an odor by no means agreeable, even now when the
weather is cool, and which as the weather grows warm, must become
intolerable. And just think of sleeping in a little room, about ten
feet square, with ten or eleven others locked in with you for the
night, and only a small window in the door for air, and one by the
side of it for light, darkened by its thick heavy iron gates, and
looking upon a small court within.

It is scarcely credible that a country so closely associated with the most enlightened kingdoms of Europe, as Greece, and a city so conversant with modern improvements in municipal economy as Athens, should be open to the reproach of such folly and cruelty, as this paragraph discloses.

DOMESTIC.

NEW YORK STATE LUNATIC ASYLUM.--The annual report of this
institution for the year 1851, furnishes the following facts: At
the commencement of the year there were 429 patients in the asylum;
366 have been added, and 357 discharged during the year; of whom
112 were recovered, 15 much improved, 51 improved, 13 unimproved,
and 45 died. The number in the asylum at the date of the report was
425, of whom 220 were males, and 215 females. Of those admitted
during the year, the greatest number were between the ages of 25
and 30 years. Of the causes of derangement, the chief is stated to
be intemperance, the number of patients from this cause now in the
asylum being 44 males and 1 female.

EMIGRATION.--The commissioners of emigration of New York, in a recent report to the legislature, state, that at the port of the city of New York alone, there arrived during the year 1851, 289,601, of whom there were natives of Ireland, 163,256; Germany, 69,883; other countries, 56,462; making an increase of 75,998 over the preceding year. The emigrants from Ireland exceed the whole number from other countries by 36,911. Of these, 85,000 were in a condition which required aid, being either sick or paupers.

It is stated in the public prints, (and we have seen no contradiction of it,) that a single Irish nobleman secured a passage to our shores of nineteen hundred persons, at the rate of £2 per head, and ten shillings on their arrival.

BOSTON CITY MARSHAL’S REPORT.--By the annual report of the marshal
of the City of Boston, we learn that the whole number of robberies
reported at the marshal’s office during the year 1851, was 562;
amount of property lost and stolen, $44,418; amount of property
recovered and restored to owners, $26,131. The whole number of
complaints and arrests was 5,449, among which were, for larceny,
625; drunkenness, 1,465. Of the whole number of arrests made, 1,110
were minors. There have been 969 complaints made to the Grand
Jury, growing out of the sale of intoxicating liquors; and fines,
exclusive of costs, collected, amounting to $12,474; and 36 have
been imprisoned in the House of Correction, for different periods,
amounting in all to more than 10 years. The number who apply at
the marshal’s office for charity is very large, and all who were
really deserving have had their wants supplied by that department,
from a fund which is the proceeds of stolen and unclaimed goods,
an accurate account of which has been kept. “There is no greater
imposition practised,” says the report, “than the system of begging
and soliciting charity. We have now in the office a large number
of written and printed papers which have been taken from these
impostors; and from one person we took _twenty-one_.”

HEALTH OF THE BOSTON FARM SCHOOL.--The following remarkable
statement respecting the health and the mortality of the boys
connected with the Farm School, on Thompson’s Island, in Boston
harbor, is made on the authority of Robert Morrison, Esq., the
Superintendent.

The number of boys in the school, June 1, 1851, was 85; January 1,
1850, 89; January 1, 1851, 97. The present number is 94, several
having been recently sent to places in the country. No death has
occurred on the island since August, 1845; which is the only time
when a physician has been sent for on account of sickness among the
boys, for nearly ten years!

Under Providence, we consider this, in some measure, owing to a
healthy location, a simple but wholesome diet, exercise in the open
air, and good ventilation.

The average number of boys in the school, for several years, has
not been far from 80.

BOSTON PAUPERISM.--The Annual Report of the Boston Society for the
Prevention of Pauperism, estimates the cost of pauperism to that
city, in 1840, at $43,454; in 1845, $45,000; and in 1850, $111,905!
It also states that in the past five years, the native American
paupers have decreased about 37 per cent., while foreign paupers,
supported by the city, have increased about 150 per cent.

MAINE STATE PRISON.--When the State of Maine was about to erect a new Penitentiary a few years ago, the commissioners were disposed to recommend the separate system as decidedly preferable on every ground, except that it costs more at first, and may not yield so large a profit on convict labor. By the last report of the commissioners, we observe that of the whole number of convicts, (eighty-four,) about one-half are employed in making shoes--a business quite as profitably pursued in seclusion as in association. Basket-making furnishes employment to such as, from age or infirmity, are unable to perform hard labor, and this also might be as well done in a cell. As to the finances of the institution, a special committee of the legislature, appointed to investigate its affairs says, “they cannot give any definite information,” but they portentously intimate, (what time will probably reveal,) that if revenue is a prominent object in the management of the prison, it will be defeated. “For any losses which may accrue to the State,” say the commissioners, “we attach no blame to any former warden or officer of the prison, for any neglect or want of care, but believe, the loss arises from the universal credit system which has been too prevalent in our State.” “We certainly hope so,” says a leading newspaper, “for it is high time the State were realizing more from the prison economy than it has yet done.”

We wish this notion of making penitentiaries a source of profit could be eradicated, or absorbed in the higher and more important objects of making them the means of instructing the minds of convicts, softening their asperities, correcting their false views, elevating their motives, and counteracting the corrupt influences by which they have been surrounded. These humane purposes cannot be answered to any considerable extent under any system, save that of _separation_, and it is from this conviction, and not from any pride or pertinacity of opinion, that we advocate the universal adoption of that principle.

THE MARYLAND PENITENTIARY.--By the report made to the Maryland
Legislature, it appears the receipts of the institution, during the
last year, do not equal its expenses by the sum of $9,302 78. The
average deficiency in the receipts for the last four years has been
89,267 63, and the aggregate deficiency for the same period 37,070
54. Various causes are stated for this deficiency--the unequal
competition which the manufacturers of the prison have to sustain
with those made by more improved machinery--the loss of time and
labor consequent on the necessity of teaching the most of the
convicts their employments--the prejudices which are entertained
against the prison manufactures, and the difficulty of selling
them at remunerating prices, being the principal causes to which
it is to be attributed. The number of persons received into the
penitentiary during the year was 119; discharged by expiration of
sentence during the year 44; pardoned during the year 18.

POOR AND INSANE OF RHODE ISLAND.--Thomas R. Hazard, Esq.,
commissioner to inquire into the condition of the public poor and
insane of Rhode Island, made his report to the Legislature at its
late session. In fifteen towns in the State, asylums for the poor
are maintained. In sixteen towns, not having asylums, the poor
are put to persons who will keep them for the lowest sum, or are
boarded out by contract. The average cost for each individual per
annum, in the asylums, is $51.50; for each individual, per annum,
of the latter class, $45.60.

The average number of poor, supported in asylums, is 500; all
others, 229; total, 729. Whole cost of supporting the poor,
including interest on cost of asylums, $51,003.23. Insane persons
in Rhode Island, 282. Idiots and imbeciles, 136. Blind, 60. Deaf
and dumb, 64.

RHODE ISLAND INSANE HOSPITAL.--We have not been favored with Dr. Ray’s last report, but we learn from other sources, that of 54 patients discharged, during the year, 36 were cured, and 8 improved. There were 16 deaths. Of 420 insane persons in the State, only 180 are enjoying the advantages of Hospital treatment.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS IN INDIANA.--_Hospital for the Insane._--This institution has 140 patients under treatment, and yet there are in the State 300 insane persons (exclusive of idiots) who are totally unprovided for. Applications are rejected for want of room, and an immediate enlargement of the buildings is contemplated. It is stated that there are in Indiana 442 insane, and 617 idiotic persons. Of the 292 patients who have been treated in the hospital, only 78 were natives of Indiana.

_Deaf and Dumb Asylum._--One hundred and thirteen pupils were under instruction at the date of the report, and the earnings of the pupils during the year, are valued at $3,770. Only two deaths occurred during the year.

_Institution for the Blind._--Fifty-two pupils are under instruction, from 33 counties. “The superintendent is of opinion that all applicants of sound mind, and not above twenty-one years of age, should be received, provided they are otherwise qualified, reserving discretionary powers as to the rest.” A new building is in progress, which will enlarge the accommodations so as to admit every blind child in the State, who is capable of instruction.

ALABAMA.--We are happy to observe, by the public prints, that the people of Alabama have resolved to establish, forthwith, an Insane Hospital and a Deaf and Dumb Asylum.

KENTUCKY DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.--The Annual Report of the Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum shows that the institution is in a prosperous condition. There were 60 pupils in the institution from January 1 to November 12, of whom 29 were males and 21 females. Forty-five inmates of the institution are from Kentucky, 9 from Louisiana, 1 from Arkansas, 1 from Mississippi, and 1 from Tennessee.

_From the Episcopal Recorder._

This periodical gives a large amount of information on Prison Discipline, and cannot fail to interest such as grieve over the sufferings occasioned by crime, and regard the imprisoned criminal as still belonging to our common humanity, and needing the commiseration of the wise and good.

_From the Public Ledger._

We have received the October number of the Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy, published under the direction of the Philadelphia Society for alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons. It is stored with interesting matter.

_From the Presbyterian._

We have been reading with great interest the Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy.

AN INQUIRY

INTO THE ALLEGED TENDENCY OF THE SEPARATION OF CONVICTS, ONE FROM THE OTHER, TO PRODUCE DISEASE AND DERANGEMENT.

BY A CITIZEN OF PENNSYLVANIA. _Philadelphia_: E. C. & J. Biddle. 1849.

It is, as might possibly be anticipated from the residence of the author, an elaborate and ardent defence of the separate system of confinement. The charge of its peculiar tendency to induce disease and insanity, is altogether denied, and the testimony of the successive physicians to the Eastern State Penitentiary, during a term of nearly twenty years, goes very satisfactorily to warrant the denial.

The author is not, however, inclined to rest at this, but carries the war into the enemies’ camp. The chapter entitled Medical Practice, in a Congregate Prison, is calculated to attract attention, from the positions laid down in it, and their startling illustrations, deduced from the well known case of Abner Rogers. It is not the time or the place for us to enter on this warmly controverted subject, and we have noticed the work only on account of its bearing on the subject of insanity, and as forming a part of its literature.--_Am. Journal of Insanity, published by the Superintendent of the New York Lunatic Asylum, July, 1850._

So far as the leading controversy, in regard to the rival systems of prison discipline, is concerned, it seems to us to cover the entire ground with singular ability.--_Princeton Review._

☞ A few copies of this pamphlet are still on hand, and may be had on application to the publishers, corner of Fifth and Minor streets, or to any member of the Acting Committee.

OFFICERS FOR 1852.

PRESIDENT--James J. Barclay.

VICE-PRESIDENTS--Townsend Sharpless, Charles B. Trego.

TREASURER--Edward Yarnall.

SECRETARIES AND COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE--

William Parker Foulke,
Edward Townsend.

COUNSELLORS.

Job R. Tyson,
Garrick Mallery.

ACTING COMMITTEE.

James J. Barclay, Townsend Sharpless, Charles B. Trego, Edward Yarnall, William Parker Foulke, Edward Townsend, Job R. Tyson, Garrick Mallery, F. A. Packard, Jeremiah Hacker, William Shippen, Charles Ellis, Dilwyn Parrish, A. T. Chur, Morris Wickersham, M. W. Baldwin, Mark Balderson, Joshua L. Baily, George Dilks, Thomas Latimer, Josh. T. Jeanes, John M. Wetherill, Horatio C. Wood, John Lippincott, John J. Lytle, Henry M. Zollickoffer, W. P. Sharpless, William S. Perot, Rodman Wharton.

☞ Quarterly Meeting of the Society on the 12th of July instant.

ODD NUMBERS SUPPLIED.

There are no full sets of the FIVE volumes of this Journal (already published) on hand, but a large stock of odd volumes and numbers. Many complete copies of Vols. I. and II., can be had, and a few of Vols. IV. and V. If any person has duplicates of Vol. I, No. 1, Vol. II., No. 2, Vol. III., No. 1, Vol. IV., No. 3, or Vol. V., No. 1, they will oblige us by sending them to the office of publication. Copies of Vol. I., No. 4, Vol. II., No. 1, Vol. III., Nos. 3 and 4, Vol. IV., Nos. 1, 2 and 4, and Vol. V., Nos. 2, 3 and 4, will be given in exchange, or supplied to such as want them.

“JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY,”

_Published by the “Philadelphia Society for alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons.”_

DESIGN AND PLAN OF THE WORK.

The members of this venerable Institution, which has been mainly instrumental, in introducing the great reform in Prison Discipline that has distinguished the last half century, have long felt the need of such a medium of communication with the public as is now proposed. Their attention has of late been more especially aroused to the importance of the measure, from the deep interest which has been awakened in such reform; and from the misapprehension which prevails, as to the true principles and results of what is termed the “Pennsylvanian,” or “Separate System.”

Of the intrinsic usefulness of a Journal of this nature, it is believed but one opinion can prevail among the intelligent and humane. One of the most active and well-informed of those engaged in the reform of Prisons, has justly remarked, that “judgment is but the result of comparison.” All reasonable men, before deciding on a measure, will acknowledge the importance of becoming acquainted with the history and results of similar efforts. Hence the necessity felt by all civilized nations, of publishing and preserving public documents, reports, discussions, criticisms, &c. In America there is no adequate provision for the preservation of these, so far as they relate to prison reform; they are scattered among an accumulation of pamphlets on other subjects, are frequently destroyed, and are always difficult of access; and the labour which ought to furnish instruction for our future progress, and for posterity, becomes too often merely temporary in its utility.

At the present time a greatly enhanced importance is attached to a publication of this kind, as a medium of communication with foreign countries. Several of the governments of Europe are endeavouring to ascertain the best system of Prison Discipline, with a view to its adoption; and although the Society have no doubt which of the methods now in existence is the best, some Philanthropists of the Old World are yet undecided.

It is from a knowledge of these facts and from a belief that it is due to themselves and the cause of humanity, that the Society have been induced to undertake this publication.

TERMS.

This periodical is published quarterly; each number to contain at least 48 pages octavo. It will be delivered without charge to members of the Society; but to those who are not members, the price is $1 per annum, always in advance, or 25 cents a number.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] For example, in the New Jersey State Penitentiary, the plan of which was inspected by the English and French commissioners, the warden’s department is in immediate connection with the observatory.

[2] See our April Number, pp. 84, 85.

[3] In those States where it is usual to transfer insane convicts to a Lunatic Asylum, the boon would certainly have been extended to two of our convicts, and thus the institution in which the mental disease originated would not have had to account for its physical termination. This fact should be remembered, when comparing our state of health with similar establishments, as it shows that the Eastern Penitentiary has always had a double mortality to account for, that which is due to it as a penal institution, as well as that which properly belongs to an Insane Asylum.

[4] Published by Acting Committee of the Philadelphia Society.

[Transcriber’s Note:

Page ii, continuation of paragraph from Page iii joined to start of paragraph.

Page 96, erratum incorporated into text.

Obvious printer errors corrected silently.

Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.]