American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-11
From q London Paher.

The spirit with which exertions have been made
to introduce labour into prison, has been highly gra-
iiiyiogb and in the manufacturing counties, where
there are fewer difficulties in this respect than in
other districts, the employment of prisoners has
been carried on at considerable profit. The fol
lowing summary will furnish the reader with a
general idea of the trades and occupations at which
prisoners have been employed.
The occupation of the prisoners at Knutsford, is
very various and considerable, viz weaving ofwool-
LEM silk and cotton articles blankets, and druggets;
tailoring, whitewashing, nail making, bricklaying,
masonry, blacksmhs work, straw mattress S. chip
hat-makng. AT this prison the net earnings from
December 25 1921, (for which period the average
number in confinement amounted to 1875 daily
were 1861 Is I'd the cost Of food, SRI 9s Sd |;
being clear profit to the county beyond the cost
OF food, of 2Sl. IS Id.
The county house of correction at Exeter al
though deficient in space for accommodation, pre-
sents gratifying scene of systematic industry
he prisoners are employed in saving, grinding,
smoothing and polishing marble Vases are tur-
ned, and beautiful specimens of chimney pieces ex-
ecuted. The FAX mandatory also in this prison
IS well managed, and carried on from the first pro
cess OF dressing the dried vegetable to that Of wea-
i wing it, 10 this manufacture those prisoners are
placed who are committed for long periods Of con-
Anehient; tn0ss Tor shorter terms are employed at
dressing hemp This process is carried on BY
means OF a bruising mill, which is worked by the
MANUAL labour Of twelve men to a set. Migrants
are also kept at hard labour. The women are fully
employed in washing, making, and mendinc the
prison clothing.
At Durham jail, weaving spinning, beating fax,
ana making door mats, are the general employ
ments.
At Gloucester, mill has also recently been cree
1ed' and there is forcing pump, worked by tread
wheel The prisoners weave and manufacture cloth,
sacklng saddie.giTths towels, and stockings
at Hereford Penitenary corn.mill has been
quit and the prisoners are employed 10 making
clohng, shoes, bedding, and in the manufacture Of
bags, tor sale, from the raw material.
Al Lancaster Castle, from thirty eight to fifty
pieces OF Manchester cottons worked of perl
week The amount OF earnings for the last year is
stated to be 1904
Al Manchester New Bailey, weaving is the ren.
era employment OF the prison. The amount ofI
earnings up to July, $780, for one year, amounted
TO 2056k 6s 10d.
Preston house of correction is Justly distinguished
ny the Industry which prevails to a remarkable ex
tent Here an Idle ha1d is rarely to be found |
were lately 100 looms at full work, from each
OF which the average weekly earnings are SIS A.
oout ioO pieces OF cot on goods are worked OF per
Week considerable portion of the looms are of
the prisoners own manufacture. In one month an
inexperienced workman will be able 10 earn the cost
o. MS !aIl allowance OF food. Weaving has these
advantages over other prison labours, the noise oil
>rs shuttle prevents conversations and the progress
O. the work constantly requires the eve. The ac
counts OF this prison deserve particular attention, as
ihere appears TO be balance of clear profit m the
county from the labour of the prisoners in tb ea
ct l,596 9s Id This sum was earned BY wrav;no
sad Cleaning cotton only, the prisoners BEING, be-
Sides employed IN tailoring, whitewashing, faprinr
stating painting, carpentering, and labourers worE
'he earnings at which are not included in the above
account.
At Leicester county house Of correction, the EN-.
Ploymenta are grinding corn, carding WOOL spinning
mops and stocking mandatory.
At The Nlllbank Penitentary, a mill bas hesr,
erected for grinding corn consumed in the estabeh.
ment also machine for raising water s. anotberi
mlii' win similar machine, is to be erected for the
smEiojmeh1 OF other prisoners in distinct part of
inc building. The amount of the prisoners earn
ings dufing the last year, was 4,e47 Is. II
At shrewsbury, mill has been erected, which
employs eighteen men at one time, and the pri-lt
soners change this labour three times dav: the
remaining prisoners are employed in weaving Iaces
making list shoes, &c. The female prisoners are |
employed IN baking, washing, spinning, knitting
stockings gloves, also making the sheets and wear
1ng apparel consumed IN the iail II
Al o'atord all the prisoners exceptinn. those be-
lore trial. are employed in dressing flax, spinning
"FaNl"S e'o'h LOT pfi.on clothing, rugs. blankets
knitting stockings heading pins for the Birminghan,
manufacturers shoe making, tailoring, and grinding
corn ne ,
At Warwick House oil Correction work onnearo {
20 be caried OF with much spirit and iudus,rv I
he mill Tor grinding corn employs twenty men
or upwards and from bakehouse adjoining SUM-
pines OF e%ceent bread are regularly conveyed r.
this and ~ county jail and the saving to the county,
irnm his atone is estimated at some hundred. n
pounds per annHm Wire drawing is also carried ,
on and The prisoners perform the whole process
hey are also employed in woolIen manufacture
which is very successful. Rnqs. blanLe,o -.