The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-29 00:00:00

THE CONVICT QUESTION.

The importance at the present moment of the different
questions connected with " transportation," and the diffi-
culties which will have to be provided for in consequence
of its more limited application, imposes upon me the duty
of laying before your lordship such statistics and details as
will be required in the consideration of the subject.
I propose to notice the various points in the following
order .

1. Present system of convict discipline, and its expense.
2. A modification of the present system by the estab-
lishment of district prisons and the estimated expense.
3. Discontinuance of transportation, and substitution of
imprisonment at home, and in certain of the colonies, with
the estimated expense.
4. Additional prisons, and their probable cost.
5. Probable effect on the annual estimates of carrying
out a general system of imprisonment.
6. Females.

7. Disposal of convicts.
8. Measures for assisting discharged prisoners.

1. PRESENT SYSTEM OF DISCIPLINE AND EXPENSE.

As regards the general routine of the management,
on extract from the notice which is placed in the cell of
each prisoner received into the Government prison is an-
nexed in appendix, page 112, and will give a brief but com-
prehensive view of the system, which, at least up to the
end of 1852, was in operation.
It may be observed that it consists of three probationary
periods of discipline, viz. :-
Ist. Twelve months' separate confinement.
2d. Labour in association on public works for a period
proportionate to the sentence.
3d. A ticket of leave in one of the colonies, followed by
a pardon, conditional or otherwise.
Pentonville and Portland prisons may be taken as ex-
amples of the first and second periods of probation. The
third is a revocable pardon, and it will be observed that the
holder of it is subject to certain very salutary restrictions,
calculated to deter him from crime, and thus protect the
interests of others.
The system, though not yet fully developed, may fairly
be assumed to have fulfilled, both at home and abroad, the
different objects which require to be provided for. It has
been a punishment severe in its aspect, but mild in its
practical operation ; and there can be no doubt that, whilst
the men have been disposed of greatly to their own advan-
tage, the imperial interests have gained some benefits,
without materially prejudicing those of the colonies.
EXPENSE OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
Abstract of the Estimates for the Convict Service for

1852-3.
The total number of convicts provided for in the annual
estimates is 21,932, and the expense of all the services, as
detailed under the separate heads, may be thus stated ?
Gross estimates for the convict prisons in Great
Britain, for 7,824 prisoners
Gross estimates for the convict prisons in Ire-
land, for 5,246 prisoners 53,912
colonies
fo
r tr
an s
Estimate for the removal of prisoners 12,424
Gross estimates for convict service at Gibraltar,
and Bermuda, for 2,650 prisoners 48,842
Estimates for transport services to the Austra-
lian9s,ooo
Estimate
pAottarttsraer;riacnescotolonßieesrm,
&c
cda and
Gibraltar
Estimates for the
188,744

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convicts is judiciously and profitably applied, the
real cost to the country will be reduced by the
value of their Work
at home, which may be thus £587,294
stated : r of the
Deduct earnings of 15,729 prisoners as follows :-
7,824 in Great Britain at 12i. per head... 293,888
5,246 in Ireland at 51.
per head
2,650 in Bermuda and Gibraltar, at 18/. 26,930
perhead ..................................... 47,700

.67,818