Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1867-01-08
The State Prison-Report of Commits
sioner Cordier.


.lhe annual report Of Hon. Henry
Cordier, Commissioner of the State
Prison, has just been printed. 1t
contains much interesting informa-
ton respecting that institution. On
the Both of September, 1865, the
prison contained 81 convicts, Of
whom all but six were males. Dnr~
ing the year following there were re
ceived 145, all but IL of whom were
Of the masculine gender. During
the year 81 were discharged under
the Communication law, 3 by expir-
alton of sentence, 3 by order of the
Supreme Court, by order of the
war Department, IL by the Cover
nor's and by the Presidents par
don. One has committed suicide
and one died of disease. This left
at the beginning ofOctober 158 males
and Ii females as prisoners.
The Commissioner states that dur
ing the war a good many irregular
characters found their way into the
army, thus lessening considerably the
number OF persons annually convict
ed, and that there has been no increase
but a Elimination of crime ia the
State since, as compared with the
period before the war In 1860, with
a population considerably less, there
were ITO convicts in the prison.
Counting the value of permanent
improvements made during the year
past and the increase of stock and
materials in the shops, the Commiss-
Toner says the actual cost Of support
ing the prison hos been but 81, 256.88.
With judicious management he be-
lieves the prison may be made selfsup-
porting, although there are few such
in the country. lie recommends the
discontinuance of the parti-colored
dress for prisoners.
OF 229 convicts 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 trade. The
commissioner calls the attention of
parents and guardians to these facts,
and holds that the want Of some
useful trade is q fruitful source Of
crime. In all cases where the length
of sentence will permit, he has the
younger prisoners learn some trade.
Prisoners on being released are
given u suit of clothes and money
not to exceed IS. The Commission
er thinks this is not enough, and
that a system Of work should be de-
vised which would allow prisoners
to save a percentage Of their earn
ings. He says:
The task over, overwork system
ought to be introduced. The benefit
of it would not alone materially aid
them after their discharge, but
would give them also a chance to
support, in certain degree, their
innocent families, who are often the
worst sufferers. To save men and
not to save dollars, should be the
first principle Of all prison systems.
Teach convict to believe in himself
and in his manhood convince him
that reformation is possible impress
upon his mind that not a vindictive
spirit dictated the laws which keep
him in bondage and above all, let
US be just to him, kind and humane,
and the result will show that man
is very seldom, if ever, irredeemably
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
been beneficial. He recommends
the discontinuance Of the
practice of sending persons to
prison on sentence of a few months.
Unless guilty of an offence deserving
a more severe punishment, he thinks
the stigma Of such an imprjson-
ment ought not to be imposed
The appendix to the report cons
tains large amount Of statistical
information respecting the prison.
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