Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-21
AN ACT concerning the government and discipline
oftbe Pent entiary in the District of Columbia.


In The Civ of Washington, in pursuance of"An
act to provide for erecting Penitentiary In the
Distric, of Colu mbia, and for other purposes,
passed twentieth May, eighteen hundred and
twenty six, shall be designated and known as the
P,niten,iary for the District OF Columbia, ana
shall be exclusively appropriated to the con-
fning such persons as may be convicted oil OIL
fences which now are, or may hereafter be, pun'
ishable with Imprisonment and labor, under the
Laws Of the United States, or Of the District OF
Columbia.
Sec. 2. find be il further enacted, That it shall
be the duty of the President Of the Uni'ed States
to appoini annually, five spectacle inhabitants
of the District Of Columbia TO be Inspectors
of the said Peniteniary, who shall severally
hold their offices for one year, from the date oil
their appointment
Sec. g.. find belt turtle, enacted, That the Pre-
siden, shall also appoint one Warden OF the said
Peni,en,iary, who shall hold his office during
the pleasure Of the President.
Sec. 4. find be it further enacted, That said
Inspectors shall hold their frs. meeting within
ten days after their appointment; they shall APP
point ore Of their number to be their secretary,
who shall keep regular records Of their proceed
ings,a majority shall be quorum Tor the trans
action 4 all business, and all questions shall be
decided by ma ority OF those present; they
shall hold regular meetings OF the board, at least
once in every month, and oftener, if they shall
find il necessary; they shall .ingly in turns, Wis
il and inspec, the Peniteniary, at least once IN
each week, upon some stated day, 10 be hxed
by their by laws: they shall direct in what labor
the convicts shall be employees; il shall be their
duty 10 prepare system OF rules and regula-
lions, mlnuely providing for the discipline,
4 Il, IL,
hours Of Tabor, meals and confinement, The gov
eminent and behaviour Of the officers and cons
vicrs, so as hes, 10 carry into effect The several
directions andrcquisiuons Of This act; they shall
take care that these rules and regulations be
made known to the officers Of the prison, and
the convcts, and ,hat,hc strctest obedience b.
paid thereto; they shall provide that the strict
est attention be paid to preserve cleanliness
tn, oughout the buildings, kitchens, cells, bed
ding, and as far as may be, in The persons and
clothing Of the convicts; they shall appoint, &
at ;heir pleasure. remove such keepers, and o.
Their inferior officers and servants, as may be
required for the service and government OF the
Peni,entia y; they shall, from time TO time. in.
sp, CT the accounts of the Peniteniary, and shall
see that the affairs thereof are conducted with
economy aud int grity; hey shall, in he month
Of January, in every year, report to Congress
detailed account OF the expenses and inc me OF
The Peuitentiary, the number ofconvicts receiv-
ed discharged, or deceased, during the year,
the rules and by>laws passed, altered. or repeal
ed, within such year, anG such other matters
relating TO the discipline aud management If
| the prison, as may be proper TO max known its
state and condition.; ard II shall be- their duty
SO TO manage the affairs of tn. Psniten,lary,
If il be possible, that hr proceeds OF the labor
Of the said c0nvicts shall pay all The expenses
Of the said Penieniiary and more: Bur nolhing
herein contained shall prtven, the said lnspec-
tors from employing the said convic,s in labor
for The Uni ed Sta,es. And il The said Peni-
Tertiary shall fail 10 support itself, i, shall be
the duty Of the SAID inspectors 10 state in their
annual report TO Congress, what they suppose
10 be the reason OF such failure
Sec. $ ind be II furthe, enacted, That the
Warden shali receive salary I iwelye huH-
dred dollars yesr. The other officers and SER
wants of he Psni. ntiary shall receive such an
nuai OF monthly pay as the Inspectors shall d.
rect.
Sec. g. dnd be ii further enacted, That it shall
be he duty OF the Warden 10 keep accurate ac-
oouuts Of all materials bought or furnished for
the p. oceed, Of their labor; he shall make all
ontr.et> and purchases for the supplies neces
sary for ne Penit, nliary; he shall have power
tn e out he labor of the convicts BY contract,
suniect alwsys. however, to the rules and dis
ciYln, OF he Pen,renliary; he shall, under the
s"pt ntrndence and inspection Of the Inspec
ors, oversee md manage all the affairs Of the
Peni'-ntiarv, and shall be responsible for the
due tnio; cement of i,s rules, by laws and disc-
| pline; he shall make out and deliver 10 tn In.
spec,ors, al each of their monthly meetings, an
&C cunt Of all moneys received and expended
by HIN on ac- ,unt of The Peniien,iary, during
the preceding month, specifying from whom
received, aud to whom paid, & for what, which
account shall be sworn to by the Warden, and
earefoDy flied and preserved among the papers
If he Board of Inspectors. He s. all, also, on
The frs Monday OF January, April, July, and
October, in eachy e make our and exhihi, to the
proper accounting officer Of the Treasury De-
parrment, an accoun, of all moneys received &
paid on account Of the Peni,entiary, for the las,
three months, specifying from whom received,
to whom paid, and for what, and shall settle
the same with the said d, partment.
Sec. 7. find be ii further enacted, That the
Warden, before he enters upon The duties Of his