The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-12-08
LOCAL MATTERS.

States Pris0H.--The Superin tsndent of the
| Peniten tiary. Col. Pendleton, il now prepar.
ing. Tor the next Legislature, a report OF the
management Of that prison for the pas wei ve
| months. Thsre are now confined within ifs
walls 1856 prisoners OF all colors and sexes, the
greater proportion Of whom are for stealing
10 Keep secure the convicts two, and in some
instan ces three,o OF them have TO be confn ed In
one cell; but to make them as comforta ole as
possible, the Superintendent allows them O
good number of blankets, and gives them
plenty OF sound, healthy food.
Within the past twelve months about ore
hundred ana twenty five prisoners have been
received, and one hundred discharged, show
Ing an annual increase in number of twenty
1ye. AS we have already stated, the cells In
the prison are now full and in order to keen
the convicts safe new apartments will have
to be provided. Some of the Board of Direc.
tors, after examining the subject, have been in
iavor OF erecting an interior prison to hold
three hundred conyicts, and to be so con :
structed as that the guard at night can see
each prisoner and know all that is going Oh In
eaeh cell. This plan. however, will cost too
mueh 10 be carried out immediately and will
not, therefore, be recommended
Another plan indicated by Col. Pendleton.
Is to turn the house now used by him ip TO q
prison and extend that building east and west.
thus nlling up the vacant spaces now Of no
value. To make the improvement thus indi-
Gated will cost the State about $4,000 and
Will add one hundred and twenty new cells to
the present number, thus affordiug accommo
cations to at least five hundred prisoners
10 carry out this plan, it will then be neces-
sary to erect building for the residence Of
the superintendent, which can be done at the
very small cost
Waen the Legislature takes up the report
on the Penitentiary, it would be well enough
lor some mem Der to inquire as to the comfort
OF the sleeping apartments. BY the present
regulations every prisoner has to be locked
up at q certain hour, and is thus kept confined
III sunrise the following morning. In cold
weather, to prevent themselves from freezing,
tne conYlcs must retire to their beds and
there remain until the hour for work the fol-
lowing morning, simply because none of the
cells can be warmed in any way To remedy
TINS, each cell ought to be warmed by a steam
pipe passing through ii. Not only are the
physical energies of the prisoners DESTROYED by
their being compelled to lie in their beds six
teen hours out OF twenty-four during the win
Ter months, but rheumatism and other dis
eases are contracted, the hospi is kept fl lied
with invalids, and the State is forced 10 fur
nish them with large amounts of flannel To
warm toe cells by means OF iron pipes would
cost no great amount, and yet would add great
iy TO the happiness of the poor creatures who
are now shut out from the world and who
may never again know what life and plea
sures are.
OF the 365 prisoners, 10 of them are women
six OF whom are white and seven black. These
women are employed in sewing and mendiug
and are perhaps better OFF now than they will
be al the expiration OF their various terms.
IN the snoe and boot department 1870 prisoners
are employed in making brogues, as well as
finer work, most of which is sold TO the farm.
ers OF the State. In the weaving department,
coarse WOODEN goods, of a superior style, are
turned out. In the iron shop, score or two
OF prisoners are steadily employed in making
beautiful axes. And III the wood depart
ment not only agricultural Implements iE-
ciuolng wagons and carts, are made, but boxes,
ETC., are prepared by the wholesale
AS 1ar as we could judge, n not only the prison,
but the grounds around it, were all in excel.
lent ofoer, aud II the cells were properly
warmed, the State would save Doctors bills
ana the convicts would be more comfortab able'