American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-11-19

%, 1922.
On the 18th day of February last, the Mayor had
the honor of presenting to the Board Report, re-
commencing the erection of Discipline Mill at the
Pententiary, and he has the pleasure to inform
them that the necessary buildings and machinery
we're completed on the 9TH day of Sept. last and on
the 23d OF that month was put in full operation
The idea Of attaching this species of labor TO our
peniteniary system was first suggested TO the pre-
sent superintendent of our aims house by Mr.. Isaac
Collins and Mr.. Stephen Grellet, two gentlemen
belonging TO the society of Friends, in this city, who
kindly furnished us with report from the Socie-
" for the improvement OF Prison Discipline in En-
CLAN, containing correct engrayings OF the buildings
and machinery for the mill, with description of
its operations and advantages, together with much
other useful information on the subject.
Possessed of these lights and the talents and in
genuity Of Mr. Mr.. njamin Croker, (under
whose direction the mil work was constructed,) no
time was lost in commencing the establishment,
and in its progress much less difficulty has been
experienced Than was anticipated.
The building is of stone, Thirty feet by sixty, and
Two stories high. That part occupied by the wheels,
ON which the prisoners work, is separated from the
mill by strong stone wall, so the. no communica-
lion is had between those who feed and tend the
mill and those who perform the labor on the wheels.
The building was originally intended for three
wheels and three pair Of stones; but it is fouLd by
the experience already had that the place is not suf
hciently ventilated TO admit greater number Of
prisoners than can work on the two wheels now in
operation. Each wheel is calculated to give en-
ployment to ,hnty-two prisoners, sixteen ON EACH
wheel at once; and bell is arranged to strike
every half minute, when one OF the prisoners on
the wheel comes off, and another goes on, BY which,
each man works minutes, and rests the same space
of time
The average quantity of grain ground per day isl
from 40 to SO bushels which It is presumed may bel
increased to 60 20, should it be found OF further
experience that the prisoners can be made TO per-
form severer task without injury to their health.
The consumption of the Aims House, Biidewell
and Penitentiay is about so bushels Of grain ground
into meal, per day, the grinding OF which has cost
the public from sixteen to twenty two hundred dol
lars annually, averaging about nineteen hundred
dollars per year 1t will not be doubted, therefore,
that suIfciency of meal may be ground by add-
tional exertion for the consumption of the wholel
establishment, and that in a manner free from ex
pense TO the public.
The cost Of working the convcts out of the prison.
including tools, barrows CARTS food for the cattle en-
poyed, extra wear and tear of clothes, and pay toI
the keepers, has amounted to about 1000 dollars
per annum. This sum, it is supposed by competent
judges, would obtain, through the medium Of pri
vate contract, the performance Of twice the labor
executed by the prisoners If this be the fact, isl
certainly of much Importance; TOR, it it cost the
public one hundred dollars to perform certain
quantity of labor, which can be obtained by private
contract for fifty, there ought to be some evidence
of public utility, arising either from the punishment
or reformation of the prisoners, to induce continu-
alton OF The operation; but nothing to justify even
the belief of reformation has as yet shown ITSELF
and the only reason which can be adduced in favor
Of the continuation of the system is the want OF pro
per employment for the prisoners.
There are always numerous class OF prisoners
in the Penitentiary and Bridewel, consisting of fe
male prostitutes and Migrants, for whom little or no
employment could be provided; but it has been
found by late experience that the operation OF wo-
men on the tread wheel, in proportion to their
weight is equally useful as that of men;-there is
then this additional advantage arising from the erec-
ton of the mill, that this class Of prisoners will now
be made to earn their bread by the sweat of their
brow.n
In carrying into effect our pententiary system,
much difficulty has always been experienced inl
finding suitable employment for the prisoners; but
1t is hoped that the introduction OF the discipline
mill will in great measure supply this deficiency,
that the effects ofthe labor performed will not only
result to the advantage of the public, but the retor
nation and benefit of the convicts; and, in orderi
that the result of this species OF labor on those Who'll
nave been IL the performance OIL IL may De asCer'
tanned, register has been commenced OF the tiinel
each person works the mill, to be referred TO inl
case OF recommaI, should any of them prove sol
incoTrgble as again to be guilty OF any offence that
will bring them once more to the test.
Should the advantages arising from this expert
ment be equal to the expectations Of the CommonI
Council, it is hoped that additional mills will bel
erected at the penentiary, and one at least at the
Bridewell, in order that the time employed byl
the prisoners in plotting mischief may be probably
disposed Of There is however, one essential i'm
provement in peniientiay system, in addition to
mill that appears to be absolutely necessary tor
the introduction Of proper discipline in our pr-
sons, and that is the provision OF sufficient num-
k.s ac e. conf aI,d irinn