The National Register.
London, England, 1821-10-01 00:00:00

.~.

No. 1,334.—V0t. XIV.]

SOCIETY FOR THE IMEMENT OFI
PRISON DISCIMINE.
The Committee of dila benevolent, enlightened,
and estimable association, rave just published their
third report. The public• arc already too well ac- ,
quainted with its character and objects, to require
from us any account of its origin, or enumeration of
its past philanthropic labours. We cannot, however,
deny ourselves the gratification, and our readers the
advantage, of extracting some passages from the re-
port before us. The first extract, after stating the
attention paid to the new system, removes an objec-
tion often advanced by the enemies of the society,
and the abhorrers of incarcerated " Turkey carpets,"
that the principles of these benevolent persons tend
to diminish the terrors of impiisonment, by render-
ing a prison a place of enjoyment, rather than of
punishment.
0 With sincere pleasure, the Committee report that
during the last year improvements in the construction and
management of gaols have been progressive, and that the
inagistiates throughout the kingdom evince an earnest
desire to amend those wi'hin their jurisdictions. In the
constnietion of places of confinement, the great advan•
Mites of inspection become more and more justly appre-
ciated. In most of the gaol* erecting, or about to be
erected, that important object has obtuierd consideration
—provision has also been made for an enlarged scale of
classification, and suitable accommodation provided for
the introduction of various branches of labour. In seve-
ral instances, on the application of the magistracy, the
Committee have, without delay, prepared pions, and
suggested improvements in designs about to be adopted ;
end they have had the satisfaction to find, that their views
have sin t with the couctu rence of those who have favored
them with their communications.

" In many prisous, in which no written regulations have
hitherto been in force, rules, selected from those observed
in the most approved gaols, have been adopted, and there
prevails a strong feeling in favour of the introduction of
employment. Light and voluntary employments are pro-
per for the untried, whom the law considers innocent,
until proved to lie guilty ; but a broad and marked dis-
tinction should be observed in the treal..tent of the con-
victed, on whom, in most, if not in all eases against pro-
perty. the personal realties of hard tabour and rigid dis-
cipline ought to be' . To indict them in the same
degree on all ciiptio is of offend be impolitic
and unjillt.; b i fltal,may. without 11111111eillify, be adapted ll
to the several Willik'of prisoners, fibre the temporary
Correction of the idle apprentice, to a ity secondary
only to capital punishment. The efficacy of such a sys-
tem of bard labour on the mind and habits of an offender
has not, even yet, Been generally tried, or fully appreci-
ated, in this country ; but where the experiment has been
fairly made, the benefits have been most striking. Few
who have been subjected to this species of punishment
regard imprisonment without terror ; and the Co 11111 l ittee
cannot too strongly express their opinion, that the law
which nova 11111111.1 S it only on certain classes of offinders,
should be extended to other calms, to %%Web it might be as
justly applicable.
" In their filmier Report, the Committee enumerated
several trades, which were suited to the employment of
prisoners. On this subject great difficulties impede the
wish( sof the warmest friends to prison discipline. In the
selection of a trade, profit, however desirable, must not
be regarded as essential. The amendment of the prisoner
is the object to be suited at, and if this can he attained,
teen at a pecuniary loss, it is wise policy to pursue it.—
In support of this opinion, the Committee have ninth
pleasure in quoting the valuable lestimon, of that expel l-
anced magistrate, Sir John Arland, who, in his evidence
befure.-the gaul cot 1111 l otti o of the Hunse of Cuminons,
observes, " Prison labour is the groundwork of all im-
proven.ent, of general tranqiiillity, and hope of retire ma-
tion in a prisourea habits of life and disposition of mind.
Lime a prisoner action by labour and employment, and it
will give him a determined direction towards a better
system of life: industrious habits must be created, be the
expense what it may, and the mutat effects produced will
compensate for all numerical loam theft may be sustained."
'' Tile bruit with which exertions have been made to
holooduce languor into prisons has been highly grstil'yiug ;
SI 11 111 lite wamifitctimi,g comities, Millie illt11: ale fewer
difficulties in this tespect. than in other districts, the
employment of prisoners has been carried on at consider-
able plait"
The following picture of the results ofenliggened
seal and well directed charity cannot fail to interest
the feelings of every mull wile desires the reforma-
tion and improvement of tlic ignorant and crimimil
portion of his fellow creuturea:—
" le toothy prisons. the titbit uct ion of the prisoners hi read.
log nod writing hits been attended with esceolret .tr els.--
Schools have been formed 111 ifldfood, Muth:ion, Chelmsford,
• Whittle:Her. Hereford, Maidstone. Leicester House of Con
rectiur, Shrewsbury, Warwick, Worcester, die. Muth vio-
l:Goble assistance has been derived in this do.pai toneut Loin
Cie labours of respectable individuals, especially feindli s,
a• tin. muter the sanction of the nougidtates and dim tem of
the chltiain. 7 fine ai e, tioderd, tunny /1.4111'1, 111 is hit b the
un trot, of the pa taunt r etc IA ails cues. fled, is hoch altlibu,,h