The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-14 00:00:00

- REPO -,TS ON CONVICT PRISONS.

6.,.-

A thick blue-book contains the reports of the
inspectors of various convict prisons. The most
interesting of these is that which refers to Penton-
villa. It appears that one of the prisoners stabbed
his officer with a shoe-knife, and ihat 522 offences
were reported, of which 41 were dismissed. Of
1,054 prisoners confined last year 809 were net
punished at all, a satisfact ry proof that the gene-
ral conduct of he prisoners was good. Two pri-
soners escaped, it is supposed through the assist-
ance of an officer, who was dismissed in conse-
quence. About 53J of the prisoners were trans
ferret to other prisons during the year, and 558
remained at Pentonville on the 31st of December,
1856. The total expenses of the prison, exclusive
of buildings, amounted to 14,6951., reduced by
sundry receipts and by the labour of prisoners
to 13,3111. The deaths in the prison were at
the rate of 4.2 per mille, and no attempt at •
suicide occurred. The system of teaching remains
the same as before, and the results are satis-
factory. The statistics prove that mere "educa-
tion " is not to be received either as a panaeea or •
preventive of serious crime, as it is plainly a two- •
edged sword, which cuts bo h ways, for evil and for
good, according to the religious principles and moral
habits of the possessors. In short, the greater the
crime the higher will c f en be found the degree of
education. The degree of education is higher in
convicts (reports the chaplain) than in ordinary
criminals. Experience shows that of 1,000 convicts
released from this prison 200 will relapse into crime,
with less SUCCCS3 than before ; 3CO will abandon
crime as a bad speculation, and because their skill
in thieving is pretty well lost ; 400 will bona fide)
and from principle and choice, adopt a good course
of life, and become useful members of society ; ancl
100 will break down into permanent invalids, and
end their days in a workhouse. Taking 1,000
prisoners sentenced to transportation for life, it
is calculated that 113 can nether read nor write,
135 can read a little, 291 can both read and write
imperfectly, 330 can read well, and 81 are of sik
perior education. Of another 1,000 prisoners, about
15 or 16 appear to have been liberally educated and
emplo3ed, 40 to 52 to have been clerks, shopwen,
and bagmen, 26 to 71 servants, and 317 to 388
tradesmen and mechanics. The report on Milbank
prison shows that 2,765 prioners were disposed of
last year, 832 remaining et the close thereof. The
(reduced) expenses of the prison amounted to
29,6751. Of 2,259 convicts whose educational
status is recorded, only 243 were totally ignorant.
At Parkhurst prison 638 prisoners were disposed of
last year, and thi cost was 11,1401, At Portland,
2,387 prisoners were disposed of, and the expense
amounted.to 52,161/. The conduct of the prisoners,
as a body, has been good, and they are more patient
under labour.. At Portsmouth, 1,636 prisonera•
were disposed of, and the expense was 31,0351. •At
Dartmoor, 1,517 prisoners were disposed of,- and •
the expense was, 34,454/. Lastly, at Chatham
prison, 677 prisoners were disposed of, and the
expense amounted to 36,3501.

Country Markets.

MANCHESTER -AuG. 13.

At this day's market there was a fair attendance, and'
a moderato amount of business was transacted in wheat
and flour at tee extreme currency of last week. Oats and
oatmeal were both inquired for, and the former improvoo
in value id per 451bs. Beans same as last week. Indian
corn is per qr. cheaper. There has been a continuance of
heavy ntin during the week.