New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-21
CONCERNING THE ASYLUM FOR CON
VICTS AT AUBURN
To the Ed,sor Of The NJ y ZrsBUse.

SIR: 1t is desirable that the people OF the State
should understand the workings of this institution TO-
eether with the charitable designs and essential need
of enlargng its scope.
As not infrequent visitor at the Asylum, would
like to state through THE TRIBUNE, what has been
DONE and what observation oonvinces me ought to be
done.
Most are familiar with the object Of the Asylum, as
it s namely to make suitable provision for State con-
victs who have become insane during their term OF
imprisonment. The three prisons at Sing Sing, Gin
ton, and this place have made their contribution OF
fifty. nine insane convicts during the last year.
The main building was commenced three years ago,
and inmates were first received last February II has
capacity for sixty four convicts 1t is remarkably well
built, of good external appearance and fitted with the
modern improvements. 1t has four great halls eight
small side halls for troublesome patients and good ac-
commodations for the Superintendent and bis family
and the assistants. The ventilation is excellent and
the arrangements for cooking and for warming
good may be- short of the perfection of steam ap
paratus.
During the last season new building has been CON-
menced, which will include the hospital-rooms store
rooms, bakery, suitable accommodation for the excel
lent Assistant and Physician, chapel and Winter
exercise room. All the rooms and arrangements Of
this building moderate scale, and economically
constructed.
Humanity requires that the provision for these
insane people should be at least comfortable and the
method employed in their should be restorative
Some Of them can be employed, TO limited extent in
work connected with the establishment, assistants
in cooking, or gardening, perhaps but most are ut
of course The psnes but being unable to work. thew
are furnished with means to amuse and occupy them,
and with some comforts of living not granted TO the
healthy convict, which are noS only reasonable al
lowaDce to the ncurabe but also essential means of
restoration to the hopeful The exercise is
the most prominent of those privileges because it is
established physiological fact that physical must
precede mental improvement. Besidee, they have
less instruction from the attendants
and dice to and cultivate mental activity and
other simple methods, varied and fresh, which may
develop cheerfuness, selfrespect, affection, or
conscience or memory, as the case may be.
The humanity of such treatment seems the more es-
sential when we reflect that the crimes committed by
them in many cases the result OF insanity show
ing itself in instances Immediately after impris-
onmeDt in others before conviction and in some even
before Preparation. Insanity is responsible for crime
IN these How far the individual is responsible
for his insanity do not know, but so much as this
is certain, that such criminals deserve special lenency
of treatment 1t with this conviction, the neces-
sary prompting Of humanity, that the Asylum
provided by the State. Under the old system of
fDement in the PRISONS it was unavoidable that this
class of useless and often dangerous convcts hould
fare more instead of less, severely and insanity proved
TO be not only the cause of crime but also a source
of unusual suffering. But under this new arrange
ment, due enieDcy desirable means of restoration,
and safe control are happily combined, and the
qurements of Christian civilization blend with the de-
mands Of administered law.
The fruits of this just policy are seen in the remark
able Improvement in short year, Of nearly all the
patients. One, who came raving maniac, is now
a peaceful and grateful inmate another, desperate
with fear, is now confding and cheerful another, APP
parently demented, is quite intelligent and useful
another, destructive and self-maimng, is now I'M
schaekled and safe. SO much for what has been done
What now needs to be done is TO make this institu-
III
nails as well as insane convicts, whose friends
BILE to suitably provide for them. As it is those who
develop Dsanity after sentence TO the State Prison
and before the term of sentence expires are sent to
this Asylum. AS it should be, let all who manifest in
sanity before during trial for committed crime, and
who objects of charity be cent by the Judge to this
to remain until cure is accomplished
boy is charged with arson the proof is conclusive II
also appears in evidence that he is Dsaue. IL the boy
or his parents have property, the judge commits the
boy to their Ii the boy cannot be taken care
Of he is either sent to Utica turned adrltt. What
ought to be done s to have him sent TO this Asylum 1t
should be criminal as well as convict Asylum.
The reasons are:
/. The Utica Asylum is constantly overcrowded,
and its Superintendent is anxious for relief, .
3 The facilities for controlling ns ane criminals with
comfort to themselves and safety to others 10y tue very
construction of the buildings the design Of the esab
lisbment, and by the inherent arrangements great
er here than at Utica.
B. The expense to the State will be less for current
support
L. The general officers, out-buildings, and appurten
ances of this Asylum ara sufficient, without addition
for the of hundred and fifty or one hundred
and seventy-ve patients In important and expensive
particulars no is demanded for the care Of one
hundred and fifty persons than for the care OF hty
persons. What would be required here is simply the
additional help in cooking and in the superintendent
of the added halls.
s. The additional building necessary would be COM
paratively small. One wing with three double halls
THAT is rooms on each side of the hail. sufficient TO ac
commodae seventy-fve patients, would meet all the
demand for some years as hall, only partially
occupied could be filled.
g. Cases occur of persons VIGOROUSLY insane being
convicted Of crime for the sake Of relieving economical
counties and selfish neghborhoods of their support or
their presence There have been men in our State pri-
con- against whose name the word insane was writ
ten when they were flint clothed in prison stripe aud
barbered in prison style. This institution will care for
such victims, whose actual innocence was undetected
by the court or jury.
Provision would be made for insane criminals who
are now ut large, hazard 20 nlammabe property aud
O danger 10 unprotected persons. Their humane re-
straint would annually 70 the people Of the State
not little now destroyed by undetecied incendares.
8. The direction Of the institution under the efficient
Board Of INSPECTOR and the selection for Superntend
ent of experienced Sensible and successful manager
of the nsane give additional force to each previous
reason for enargng the capabilities of this Asylum, 30
honestly and excellently conducted. J.
For thete reasons, would urge upon the people OF
the State and upon the Representatives OF the people,
provision for Criminal lnsane Asylum worthy OIL
New York the atnral outgrowth and addition oil our
Convict Asylum. For once, justice, humanity, and
ECONOMY happily unite In these solicitations. Ihe law
abiding, the mercy ,oving and the money saving eAn
all advocate this instiiutiop. Let 30 done u"