New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-07-04

Annexed is the report made to the First District
Court by the late grand jury Of the parish, at the
close Of ita term. 1t is able and lucid docu-
ment, and, Notwithstanding its unusual length,
will be read with general interest. The jury have
performed their duties with laboriou5 zeal, and it
is to be hoped the many excellent suggestions
presented as the result of their Investigations will
not be overlooked:
To the Hon E Abel, Judge Of the First District Court Of
Orleans
We, the grand jury of the parish our term of
service being about to expire, beg leave to pre-
sent this our report;
In our round of visits to the public institutions
we inspected the parish prison, where we found,
under charge Of Capt. Robt. Swain, $50 prisoners,
of whom l52 ll42 men and 10 women) white,
and 9S ls4 men and II wOmen) CO0red. The dis
cipne of the establishment appeared to be eX-
ce1ent, the prisoners generally looked healthy,
and made no complaints as to their treatment.
The condition of the prison and its inmates was
fully as good could be expected, in view OF the
defective construction of the building and its par.
italy dilapidated state. Many of the cells are
very insuiicently ventilated. The kitchen floor is
so rotten that it cannot be kept clean. Some Of
the window .sus are nearly gone, and should be
renewed. In fact the whole building is
greatly in need of repairs. We learned
that the city surveyor had made an inspection
of the prison quite recently, and we feel
confident that he will agree with US that it ought
to be thoroughly overhauled. The apartment set
aside for an nirmary or hospital for SICK prisoners
is roomy, and well lighted and Ventillated but in
comforts for the sick, such as bedsteads, mat
RGsses, bed clothing ETC., it is sadly deficient.
All these things should be promptly provided.
There were six or seven prisoners in the hospital
at the time of our visit. Our attention was called
to the fact that when the prison was transferred
to the charge of the present sheriff, there was
large number of prisoners unaccounted tor-that
is, whose names were on the register but who
could not be tound on the premises though there
were no entries on the records to show when or
NV Nphn a nt hpnn discharged,
The city workhouse, under the charge of Capt
F. M. Address, contained at date of our visit 33l
prisoners, 235 ll54 men and 81 Women) white, anC
Sc (69 men and n Women) cOlored. IN tnl
building we found all the inmates actively EN-
ployed in various branchesof industry carpenters
and blacksmiths' work, mattress making, sewing
etc. and we learned from Capt. Address that during
the month of May the workhOuse had beer
more than self sustaining, having earned enough t.
pay all eXpe ases including salaries of officials, an
having surplus on the months work of abou
5000 The discipline under The rule of Captai
Address seems to be just what is required for sue
a place, and the whole establishment was in a
good order the condition of the buildings
which are old and much out of repair, would &C
nit The office is in charge of Mr.. j. s. CLARK
whose records are kept with a system and method
as well as neatness, which are worthy of CONNER
datOn.
intendeuce of Mr.. c. w. West, We found LOG boy
all in good health and apparently cheerful an
contented. The boys have the advantage OF
good school, and OF instruction IN S6VeFal uaueS-
tailoring, shoemaking, tinsmithing, etc. The mo-
striking feature of the institution is its baker.
which has for years past been furnishing bread
She workhouse and to several of the asyums; al
we were told by the superintendent, who's
ability and efficiency in his departmel
cannot fail to impress favorably any OF
who has the opportunity of seeing them dis
played that he believed the Refuge could be mac
entirely self sustaining if it were allowed the priv
lege of selling as much bread as it could make
not to the citizens generally, but by taking tt
contracts for supplying the Charity Hospital al
other public institutions.
lEWe would here add our recommendation TO tn
OF our predecessors that the 'Workhouse and Boy
House of Refuge be removed to some dlstan
back of the city; and we think it very desraE
that the Parish Prison, also, should be remoy
out OF town at as early day as practicable '
believe that the sites occupied by these ms
tutions could be sold for money enough to pay
sufficient ground at a distance of two thr
miles from the city, and to do great deal towa1
the erection of new and more suitable buildings
At the Girls House of Refuge, under the care
Mrs. Stokes, are thrty-two girls; some of th
very young. There is a good school in
house. The girls are taught to read and to atte
to household duties, and evidently W
q lred for. Everything about the premises was
excellent order, except the building itself, VIII
is yery old, and stands in need of repairs.
At the Insane Asylum, in charge of Capt.
maux, we found seventy patients. They app
TO be as we'll cared for as is possible in sue
Dlace Capt. Fr6mauX informed us that his rer
sit ons for supplies clothing, etc., were prom
and literally met; and it was evident tho. eY