The Litchfield County post., 1828-06-12

By law, the Warden may punish the prisoners by whipping, not exceeding ten stripes. We are happy to say, that since the Warden has taken charge of the insti- tuition, corporal punishment has not been inflicted in any case and the subordinate officers are not allowed to strike a man except in self-defence. When the prison CTS arrived from New Gate irons were found upon many of them, which they had worn coustantly.-These have from 1 time to time been removed, as the appea- rance or conduct of the men would seem to justify-and for many months no priso- ner has been in irons. 1t has been our earnest endeavor, and in this respect our wishes have been faithfully seconded by the Warden, to substitute in the treatment of these men, so far as it should be practi- cable, the law of kindness for that of seve- rity. An exact and rigid discipline has been established, to which all have been compelled to snbmit---and to which all have submitted with proRptness and req diness, which is as gratifying as it was un- expected.
 As it respects the moral condition of l opinicn, that it s,far more favorable. than ] the most ardent friend of the new institu- ton had reason to anticipate. For many months, there has been manifested an ap- pearance of submission aud subdued feel ing-deep sensibility-earnest attention to religious instruction-and entire and even cheerful obedience to every regulation.- The Warden has been unwearied in his exertions, (and we say this with a deep conviction of their value and usefulness, to instruct and to reclaim these men and to restore them to society at the expi- l ration of their sentences as sound & safe men.
 Religious service has been performed morning and evening, and on Sabbaths, either by the neigbboring clergymen, who have contributed their assistance, ,or by the ! Warden.
 What effect these efforts to instruct, to reclaim and reform these men, shall have upon their future characters, or how per- mament will be the impressions which they have received, it is not for us to say. We mean only to assert that their conduct at present is exemplary. Doubtless, their future characters willin some measure depend upon the characters of those into whose hands they shall chance to fall at the time of their discharge and we hope we shall not be deemed intrusive | if we offer few considerations, which in our judgment should influence society, in their future treatmentaof these friendless men,. l Probably the greatest trial which pris- oncr is ever called to sustain, next to the suffering at the time of his first conviction and imprisonment; is that which he expe- riences on the day of his discharge. Ac- customed for years to submit to the will of others-and unused to provide himself either food or employment, he is turned upon the world without resources, without friends, and without character. What is he to do? Ifsociety will not on any terms receive him; if no man will countenance or employ him, because he has been the tenant of a prison, now is he to obtain the me ms of present subsistence Many men who at the time of their discharge have been disposed to industry, and have been ready to make every effort to gain an hon. est living have been driven from their purpose by this course of treatment, have been obliged to resort to dishonest prac-l tices to supply even their present necessi-l ties. And there is reason to believe, that there are many persons at this moment in prison for crimes which they have com mitted in these seasons of desperation.- These men must live and if the sound and respectable part of community, who might take them by the hand, and place them in the right way, shall reject and cast them of without reference to their re- al characters, it is obvious that there is another class into whose hands they must of necessity fall, to be used for the purpos- es of violence and fraud.
 That these inducements to a criminal course, might in some measure be remov- ed, endeavours have been made to notify the friends of the convicts, of the expira- ton of their sentences-and in all cases the Warden has by our direction, advanced to each prisoner destitute of funds, at the time of his discharge, sum sufficient to enable him to reach his friends; or to de- fray his expenses, until he could procure employment. These sums thus advanced by the Warden, have been by him charg- ed in the Prison Accompts and by us al- lowed.
 Previous to the removal of the whole