Star.
London, England, 1827-10-02 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.

The Seventh Report of the Committee of the Society for the Im-
provement of Pri3on Uircipline, and fur the Ilufurmation of
Juvenile Meinlcrs.

DERI3YSIIRE

DERBY.— COUNTY GAOL AND ItOVSE Ol CnREFCTION.
January, 1846.
Although c nsiderable pragress has been made in the
erection of the new county prison, none of the buildings
are so far completed as to admit of the prisoners being
placed in them. The whole prison will probably br
finished in the course of the present year. it it in
contemplation to put up tread.wbeels and mill-machi-
nery, for the employment of convicted offenders.

No alteration has bees made in the old prison since
the last year's Report. The want of room precludes
in a great measure the introduction of hard labour for
prisoners sentenced thereto. bi,me employment has
been afforded in the works cart ied on at the new prison,
but this has necessarily been c nifined to such pi isoners as
could be safely intrusted u ithout the walls of the gaol.
Those who are employed as labourers, and who conduct
themselves with propriety, are. allowed sixpence per
day for their earnings, which are reserved and paid to
them when discharged.
The amount of earrings in 1324 was 581. 1.. 9.1. and
in 1825, 431. 3i. 4d. Pi isonri s who work have an extra
allowance of meat or other food, to the value oils. 6d.
per week each. The general prison dietary is the same
as described in the former Report; the weekly cost i.
2s. 10J. per head. The women continue to work at
wa•hing, sewing, and knitting.
The prison clothing for men consists of a woollen
jacket and trowsers, a shirt, and clogs; he bedding con-
sists of a straw mattress, two blankets, and a rug.
Considerable attention is paid by the chaplain to the
religious and moral instruction of the prisoners. A por-
tion of their time is daily occupied in reading and
writing; and to this cause the visiting Magistrates at-
tribute, in a great degree, the orderly and exemplary
conduct which they have had the satisfaction of observ.
ing among the prisoners, under aU the disadvantages of
an imperfect system of classification and employment.
The number of prisoners in 1825 has been nearly the
same as in the preceding year.
At Michaelma., in each year, 40 prisoners w re in con.
finement. The greatest number of prisoners at one time in
the year 1824 was 50 ; and in 1825 the number was 44.
The total number of commitments during the year 1824
was 195; and in the last year 905; the number of re•
cbmmittals in 1825 was 14.

The disuse of the small county houses of correction,
(hereafter described) which are exceedipgly defective in
the means of accommodation, is a measure to be ear-
nestly desired; and it is hoped that the Magistrates will
be enabled to carry the same into effect, as soon as the
new prison is completed, in order that every convicted
offender may participate in the benefits to be derived
from a well regulated system of discipline and control.
CHESTERPI6LWCOUNTY 001182 ON COMMOTION*

January. 11/111.
The construction of this prison, in its present state,
does not admit of classification.

' There are no work rooms, and no means of employ.
meat are provided for the male prisoners. A motion is