Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-01-13
Governors Message.
[ .[ConcEuded.1
OHIO pENIrENTIARY.

The report of the Directors and Warden of
this Institution will be found appended. The
prison has been generally well managed, and
presents more favorable financial results than
had anticipated; the expenditure being $I7.-
664,2 in excess of the receipts. The warden
gives the causes that have produce this result,
in the diminution of the quantity of labor, with
out corresponding reduction of expenses; the
existence of contracts at low figures, and the
large advance in the prices of supplies. While
il is desirable that receipts should at least equal
expenditures, the financial is not the most use
fuf characteristic of the Institution. The refor-
nation of the criminal is as important an ele-
ment to the State as his punishment; and sever
ity of discipline orr of labor are not essential to
either of these objects 1t is a mistake that
kind and humane treatment robs the prison of
any of It's terrors to evil doers. Whatever soft
ems the severity of punishment appeals to the
Judgment and invokes the gratitude of those
who are not wholly depraved. Whatever avoids
cruelty and degradation, has tendency to re-
vive hope, and kindle ambition, among the err
ring and unfortunate. These lead to repentance,
and in many instances, TO restoration to useful
ness again.
The records of the prison continue 10 show
decrease in the violation of rules and cODse-
quent improvement III the conduct OF its inmates
This is due in part to the provision for reduc-
ton oftime of service for good behavior and in
part to the fact that this is made one of the con-
ditiOns of pardon; yet | am satisfied that it can
be even more promoted by system of liberal
aud reformatOry treatment that is rather in aid
Of than inconsistent with firmness and good
government. In view of this, | am inclined to
believe that still more favorable results would
be obtained if these prisoners could have access
during two or three hours of the twenty -four to
books, papers and periodicals. in apartments
with sufficient light and ventilation to enable
them to read with comfort, instead Of spending
it in cells where, though they have light and
permission Of books, they cannot experience the
comfort or derive the advantages they would
under other circumstances. If ii would only
incur additional labor and expense. ! would
not regard that as good objection. 1t may be
that in the present construction OF the Prison,
it is impracticable to the introduce such an i'm
provement. II so it is worthy of consideration
whether that difficulty should not, at an early
day, be obViated. ] commend it 10 your con-
sideration The more reflection that is given to
il, the stronger will become the conviction that
there is great good to beaccomplished by it; not
only in the reformation of men, but IN the dis
cipline and government of the institution.
The Warden desires me TO enforce his sugges-
tion in relation tothe act providing for the re-
ceipt of the United States prisoners. 1t is con-
strued as embracing only those convicted by
the civil courts, while class of prisoners is now
being presented under sentence from military
tribunals. The distinction strikes me as being
merely technical; but to avoid any doubt or
misconstruction ON the part of the officers, it
would be we'll to amend the law SO as to meet
the objections.