Star.
London, England, 1827-09-28 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.
-...--

The Seventh Report of the Committee of the Society for the Im-
provement of Prison Discipline, and for the Reformation of
Juvenile Offenders.

CORNWALL.
2001.11N.—COVNTY.OAOL AND 1100SZ OF COR22Onns.
April, 1826.
Since the last Report a new ward has been erected
for the confinement of male debtors. The criminal pri-
soners are divided into eight classes.
The tread wheel and mill are erected under sheds ;
and when the prisoners are at work anassistant turnkey
is always present. Thereis only one tread wheel, which
is worked by male prisoners committed to hard labour.
The greatest numbet that can be employed at the wheel
it 12 on, and 6 off tor relays ; the working hours are in
summer 11, and in winter 8, including meal-times.—
No profit arises from the employment ar the wheel; but
by its irksome labour it prevents the frequent return of
prisoners, as was before the case. Prisoners while work-
ing at the wheel have been very healthy, and no man
has suffered in his limbs or constitution from the labour.
The other male prisoners are employed at a band
flier mill of eight men's power, also in sawing and po-
lishing stones for chimney pieces, and in white wash-
ing, &c.
The females are under the care of a matron. They
spin . Rat and wool, knit stockings, and make,- mend,
and wash the prison clothing and bedding.
The number employed at the present time isUmales
and 13 females. The clear profit of earnings is Aqui
401. per annum; the male prisoners are paid Id. per
day, and the females receive half what they earn. The
keeper is allowed the profit of labour, about 30/. pet
annum, is addition to his salary.
Prisoners who are employed are found to be more
orderly than those committed for trial or for *ant .of
'sureties : the latter often behave disorderly. Many see.
'ants and apprentices have behaved well after-their rev
turn from the labour of the wheel, and from working
in the stone-yard.
The allowance of food for the men is two pounds of
bread daily, made of wheat and barley-flour in equal
proportions, and half a pound of meat on Sunday ; for
the women, one pound ten ounces of bread, and meat
on Sundays. The weekly cost per head is 25.4 d.
Number of prisoners in confinement:
At Mieltaelptas, 1824. At Michael:nu, 182.5.
1611•4 Females. Make. Puede..
Patens, tried . t S 1 . . . . 15 1
Ditto, sunned . .8 2 • . . 11
Misdemeanants, tried 50 22 . . . 40 21
Ditto. untried . . 22 . . . . 15 2
Debars . . 16 0 . • . . 17 1

Total •1

27 . . . 116

The greatest number of prisoners at one time in the
last year was 146. The whole number committed
durieg the year was 501 ; the number of re•cemaait-
tals was 73.

The increase of crime, in point of numbers, is attri-
buted to the growing population of this district.
There is no county fund for the relief of destitne pri-
soners when discharged, but such persons are furnished
with a travelling pass, or a sufficient sum is given to
them for conveyance to their parish.
The morning and evening set vices of the church, with
two sermons, are read by the chaplain every Sunday.
Prayers are read daily to all the prisoners in chapel ; they
are frequently visited and admonished, and are supplied
with bibles and prayer-books, as well as a variety of re-
ligions tracts. The ju►enile offenders are instructed
weekly in reading, &c. in many instances a system of
mutual instruction has been adopted by the prisoners,
and much to their benefit. The female prisoners are
frequently visited and instructed by a committee of
Ladies, in communication with the British Society, an
arrangement which appears to be attended with benefi-
cial results.