The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1834-03-01

on, In Philadelphia, Newgate IN Connecticut, and
the State prison in the city ofNsw York. Expe-
rience has these and oil other similar
Institutions, to be schools Of vice and iniquty, ef
fecting no favorable change IN the moral charac-
ters OF their inmates striking little terror TO the
minds oflhoss disposed TO bleak the laws, and ni
the same time highly expensive to the States that
established thenL
1t 10 the combination Of the two systems which
most effect what both phlauthropists and iegisia-
tors have always ardently desired ; midway
course which would combine the advantages and
at the xaula time, avoid the evils Of both. This
must subject tbe prisoner to solitary confinement NJ
far health will permit |; and at tho same time
compel him to Labor for bis support.
The first attempt at this combination was in
1871, IN the prison at Auburn, New York. There
the prisoners are collected together for labor and
instruction and ut all other times are kept apart
strict supervision ofthem 10 had al all times, to
prevent communication between them. This was
most important step in the improvement Of pris-
on discipline. So satisfactory have been its re-
suits, that the system has been introduced, in most
OF rhe State prisons since erected. still its most
strenuous advocates admit. that there is constan,
communication among the prisoners; und that it il
impossible to prevent 1t. The recent murder OF
one of the Keepers ofthe Weatheryfied prison, BY
the convcts, is sesutirmatory Of the fact So lar
this communication exists between the prisoners,
it is believed this system is imperfect .
The next step in the Improvement Of prison dis
cipline, was made in Pennsy lvaniu lu the Eas-
tern pententiary in that state, the convicts arc
kept in solitary confement at labor, with instruct
ion in labor, in morals and religion Tins institu-
ton has been in operation, number Of years with
success. la il, mo prisoner knows who beside him
self are its inmates. lie sees no human face
except his keepers, and his instructors
lie hears no voice except that which is
is urging him to the formation Of habits
Of industry and respect Tor the laws. Ho
applies himself TO his labor as recreation, and IN
hours Of rest, 10 left TO commune with his own
heart. The FIRST prisoner was received into this
psnitentiary ia October, 1929. Up to December,
1882, the whole number received was l42. Of
these up to the last date, 80 have been dis
charged and the prisoners have been made to
pay all the expenses Of the prison. except the saia-
ries but what speaks volumes in lis favor is, that
not one Of those discharged, have been reconvict-
ed and SO far ne they have heen heard from, their
conduct has been generally correct. 1t is also a
fact that the number Of convicts has not increas-
ed in that State, since the erection Of this penten-
tary, though the population Of the Stute, has been
much increased. In view Of these facts, the Stale
Of New Jersey has enslncnced tho erection of q
penitsnliary, on the Same principle. 10 erect a
penitentary ofthis kind, the cells must be necessa-
rily larger, than where the Auburn system is adopt
ed. And although workshops may be dispensed
with, all the buildings and rooms used in that plan,
for halls, chapel, hospital and such purposes still
the expense oil erecting the necessary buildings,
must exceed considerably the expense Of erecting
all the buildings requisite on the Auburn plan.-
But appears probable thatt the expenses OF guard
ing the prisoners would be considerably less, when
each prisoner not only separated from all others,
but when he knows not who those others are, there
can be but little opportunity for combination among
them. And as each prisoner is, at all times, con-
fined by locks and bolts, there can be but little
chance for escape, and consequently fewer guards
would be necessary to prevent It. ...... 81.
On the whole the committee are in favor Of and
recommend TO the General Assembly. tho erect
ton Of State pententiary on the principle of so
tary confinement at labor, with instruction in Ia
bor, in morals and religion. Notwithstanding this
preference however, arising from moral consldera-
tons almost entirely, the committee would by no
means disparage the advantages OF the Auburn
plan. Prisons on that plan, viz solitary confine-
men by night, with collective labor and instruct
ion, have been made more productive, than the
other system. For instance, the prison ut Wealth
ers6eld, in 1880, with $50 prisoner, produced to
the State Of Connecticut, u clear gain Of S5,OS6-
"a. In 1881, with TIA prisoners, the balance
was VI, ,824 O2. At Auburn the earnings exceed
cd the expenses on IN average Of four years, be-
tween 1000 and 1000 dollars annually. During
the last year the State OF New York has realized
from all its prisons $ll $50 81. In Maine in
1882 the balance in favor Of the prison was sl6l7
%. In New Hampshire tor the year ending in
May 1888, $3l57 Is. In Niassac achusetts, for the
last year, $6s95 57 In Vermont; some years a
small profit has been realized in others the bal
nm xuaa tha oth .hnu ha 4
hio, Washington City and Maryland prisons, the
receipts have betrayed the expenses Of board cloth
ing und medicines. In Kentucky, the superinten-
dant deirsys all the expenses and pays over to tho
State, one halt Of the nett earnings. For the last
eight years, the profits have averaged about $4,000
per year. In this cunnexion il ought also 70 be
stated, thut reconvictions are not infrequent and
that some States, Connecticut in particular, has
found her convcts increase in n much greater ra-
ito, than her population. II however, profit is TO
be regarded the Auburn plan should be adopted
IN this State, inferior as the preceding romarks
shew II to be, for the prevention Of crime. il
would be vastly superior to the present system OF
punlshments, more in accordance with the spirit of
the ago, and more eiiectuul for tho prevention OF
crimes.
Can either DO adopted in The present pechniary
situation OF this State The committee npprehend
NO dlIicuy ON this point. II is supposed that fit
~ cells would accommodate all the con,cis in this
state, ior great number Of years. THIS, might
be constructed on the Auburn plan, exclusive oil
the site, for about 25, 900 dollars; aud the plan
OF the Eastern penteniiary in Pcnnsy lvania, they
would cost about IS 700 dollars. In adopting cith-
er, tho first outlay would embrace the cost OF a
site Tor ths buildings. the erection OF house for
tho keeper, and Of n wall around the yard. The
cost however, would vary considerably. according
IN he Al. .l..ls. "a