The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-16
The Annual Report of the Eastern
Penitentiary-The Document
in Full.
Operations of the Institution During
1s7o-The Working of the sy stem
of Separate Confinement.


Eastern Penitentiary. This document is, how
ever, of such great importance in its entirety,
that we present 1t to our readers to-day without
abridgment, as follows
To the Honorable the Speaker and Members of IN
Senate aud House Of Representatives OF PcansyL
Gentlemen ofthe Legislature:-By the requirements
OF an act of the General Assembly approved April
Estate Penitentiary for the Eastern District OF Penn
syvania," they most respectfully submit to you,
herewith, Their forty second annual report This
The subjects which this act OF 1929 requires to be
are to make their return to the Legislature viii be
found under the tabular forms in this report which
contain full and complete, and thorough comp-
ance with the demands Of the law.
The important duty imposed on the Legislature,
organization which produce crime, the treatment Of
criminals, and the protection of the public,
ing those agencies which impair the moral
mental, and physical condition OF SO large number
Of the population consgned to pnnye corrective
performed, without that Information from the
State at large, which, SO far as the State Peni-
tistics of this report. Pennsylvania is one of
the original thirteen States; Her hrss Consti-
in her penal code were made by the Legis-
lature. it has been now seventy years since her
praseworthy efforts were begun to improve her
social condition by legislation Tor the alevatlon of
the poor reform in her penal Institutions, the
OF the INDECENT, the treatment of human maladies,
and the education OF her youth. During this period,
have been secured by which reasonably relia-
BILE information can be had from which to determine
many OF the primary questions which should, In a
great measure regulate the character OF the egsla
tion now undoubtedly necessary for the changing
condition of social system. Our population is
over three millions and half, and it will not
maintained that, with this increase in numbers of
the people OF the State, together with the progress
that has been made In all the communital rel ATOMS
the social condition is unchanged. IT, then, crime,
pauperism and like social evils caused by other
Influences than those which are the eoncOmtants OF
a sparse pioneer character of people, it be-
comes essential TO ascertain what these in
Guences are, and how they are produced.
these causes, or il changed or unstable de-
mands for industry create an idle, itnerant
class, which is, by lack of education in handicraft
employments, the prey of temptations it is proper
such Information should be obtained TO enlighten
The mind Of the Legislature Most important, too,
would it be, that Investigation should be directed
thoroughly to understand the reasons for the facts
which the tables in this report exhibit in relation to
the evils which arise from the want OF systematic
education of the youth In mechanical branches of
lie at the very foundation OF wise aud juoicious
legislation as to crime-cause and conflict punish
ment.
1t is in vain that enlightened progress can be made
in penal jurisprudence, unless causes are considered
before effects become subjects for legislation
The most ordinary observer will promptly admit
that the character OF crime as well as the general
character of criminals has changed within the past
few years. The tables furnished by the inspectors
to your honorable be dies yearly for the past fifteen
years. fully prove this to be true.
During the year 1860, 26s prisoners were received
into this Penitentiary. On the 31st day OF Decem-
1873 having been in that year discharged. or these
(259) Al were iterate; 81 could only read: l19
cSIo n of s am1 & aHd 02s we're %e
20 were apprenticed and left before majority; and
t Of 9uh baSa ner OF There
Of age. The crimes of these 1872 convcts were lar
ceny, s8; arson, O. burglary 20; rape, 4 murder Of
second degree, 6; mansaughter, 8 forgery 6; bur-
| glary with other felony 8.
During the year 1870, sl5 prisoners were received,
2S2 having in that year discharged. or the 3l5
62 were iliterate; 80 could only read and 22S could
read and write Out Of this Sl5l 2Ss , were unap-
iSry, and II served out their term OF apprentice:
under twenty six years OF age The crimes Of the
15O convicts were-larceny, 81; arson, 6; burglary,
IS; rape, 3; murder Of s. second degree manslaugh-
OF larceny or other felony.
-, OF these slo l0I were sent from ON the county OF
20 from Dauphln, 10 from Bradford, II from Frank
lin II from Lebanon, 10 from Luzerne, 10 from Ly-
coming, from Northumberland, or, succinctly TO
present the facts, 20S from all the counties in the
Eastern District OF this State, and 1OT from the city
| 1t viii be remarked that in 1860 there were l52
convicts received in this PenitentiarY under twenty
six years or age, and that AZ OF them committed
other crimes than hereinbefore described, while in
1870 there were $50 received under twentysx years
ofage and &C OF these committed other crimes than
This examination OF reported facts as exhibited
by the tables attached to this report
relating only to conyicts in one OF our State
PRISONS made to indicate the value OF the informa
the penal Institutions in the Commonwealth. Such
statistics, carefully made and collected, together
questions inseparaby connected with social sciences
would enable the Legislature TO enact prevehtiy,e, ~,
correctional, and penal laws in harmony with the
actual necessities for social Improvement ana pubic
If is deemed worthy OF consideration in this con-
nection 10 submit the following facts touching the
Influences OF school education on the conVtcts sent
to this penitentiaTy. All that relates to CRIME,
esneoialy among the youth OF State, is subject
for careful examination by the wise and the good
who are couscientiousy laborng for the benefit of
mankind Far more important Is 1t for those to in
Vestigate these SUBJECTS who are charged with the
responsible duty Of making the laws for the people.
Liberal expenditures OF the money OF the
public are justified by the promise
Of substantial benefits society IN tne
future is to receive for this outlay but wisdom
gests that such liberaty should only be
after thorough investigation OF the means ny wv niS
this effectively involves phiosophlctsi ~ ;S
Of the social structure and its deieces errors eVlls
ViceR crimes and their causes, anu tnat Whlcn would
tend IN remove or change them and the most reason
| ahle correctiyes or remedies. . -,
| IeSislafion which may tend 10 prevent crime
is more necessary than that winch only
P9nisnSs anoatou; hS nl-digested plans for public
oho,itv. narrow and injudicious administration
Of coyrectional or preventive agencles OF .S MSse
9hnsSs which result from public or private eOntrpu
ons FOR meritorious objects, but wnlcn too Oi'Sn @
nanperze without aiding their recpeld'ssos 81 cor.ac1
Shown to exist then legislation Ii nee"e w 0i'0N'
The proper training under the pest lnnqsncss eSs
now specially necessary loI snso - ~ ~ 1art
rinening age are TO become participants IA tne yadl-
nps magTasndlesa relations which attach to citizen
shI, I,-arv generafion owes IL 10 the highest oDl
atRPou or d1tS IA do all in its power 70 a0YanSt