The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-01-24
The State Prison-Report of Commissioner
Cordier,

We are indebted to Hon. G G. Sholes Of
the Senate among other things for a copy
Of the annual Report Of Hon HENRY Coz
DER Commissioner of the State Prison.
1t contains much interesting information
respecting that institution. On the 30th
Of september, 1865, the prison contained 81
convicts of whom all but six were males
During the year following there were re-
ceived l45 all but IL of whom were of the
masculine gender. During the year, 81 were
dis harged under the Communication" Law, 3
by order of the Supreme Court, l by order
Of the War Department, II by the Govern
or and / by the Presidents pardon One
has committed suicide and one died Of dis
ease. This left at the beginning of October
158 males and ii females as prisoners.
The Commissioner states that during the
war good many irregular characters found
their way into the army, thus lessening
considerably the number of prisoners annu-
ally convicted, and that there has been no
increase but diminutiou of crime in the
State since, as compared with the period
before the war In 1860, with a population
considerably less, there were I7O convicts
in the prison.
Counting the value of permanent improve,
mcpts made during the past year aud the
increase of stock and materials in the shops,
the Commissioner says the actual cost Of
supporting has been but 81, 25668. With
judicious management he believes the pris-
on may be made self supporting, although
there are few such in the country He rec
ommends the discoutinuance Of the parti-
colored dress for prisoners.
Of 229 couvicts committed during the
past three years, only four per cent have
been skilled mechanics, and not more than
ten per cent. had even the rudiments of a
trade The commissioner calls the atten-
ton of parents and guardians to these facts
and holds shat the want of some useful
trade is a fruitful source of crime. In all
cases where the length of sentence will per-
nit, he has the younger prisoners learn
some trade.
Prisoners on being released are given a
suit of clothes and money not to exceed So
The Commissioner thinks this is not enough,
AMI that system Of work should be devi-
sed Which would allow prisoners to save a
percentage of their earnings He says:
The task over, overwork system ought to
be introduced The benefit of it would not
alone materially aid them after their aus
charge, but would give them also chance
to support, in a certain degree, their limo
cent families who are often the worst suf-
tereIs. To save meB and not to save DOL
lars, should be the first principle in all pris-
on systems. Teach a convict to believe in
himself and in his manhood convince him
that reformation is possible; impress upon
his mind that not vindictive spirit dcta-
ted the laws which keep him in bondage !;
aud above all, let us be just to him, kind
and humane, and the result will show that
man is very seldom, if ever Incidentally,
lost
Of the $50 convicts discharged during the
past fifteen years, only thirty-two have been
re-committed, The Commissioner regards
this as an evidence that the discipline has
teen beneficial. He recommends the dis
continuance of the practice of sending per-
sons t" the prison on sentence of few
moaths Unless guilty of an offence deserv-
ing more severe punishment he thinks
the stigma Of such an Imprisonment ought
not to be imposed
The appendix to the report contains a
large amount Of statistical information re
speeding the prison.