The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-03-23
THE PENITENTTARY.
REPORT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

Mr.. SPEAKER Your Committee on Pen
itentiary to whom was submitted House
Resolution, to inquire into the health and
condition of the convicts in the PeDitentiary,
and what changes. if any. are needed to pro-
mote the interest OF the State" have eXam-
iued into the same and submit the following
report:
The health of the convicts now confined
is very good, there being at the present time
only three on the sick list.
The fare is good and substantial, consist
ing at the time we were three dinner hour
OF picked pork, greens and corn bread, and
in ample quantity.
Everything in the kitchen is conducted in
clean and healthy manner.
The Dispensary is well stocked with med
icine, and is also clean and in good order.
The cells (and in fact the whole of the
building proper are in condition to pro-
mote the healthtulDeSS and we'll being of
the convicts, the walls and floors are white
washed, giving the place neat and pleas
ant appearance.
The building contains two hundred cells,
one hundred and fifty in order, eighty-four
being at present occupied two hundred cells
is all that the building contains.
The locks used are the same as those of the
''Sing-Sing" prison of New York, and cal
culated to secure the complete safety OF the
prisoners.
In the Planning Mill there is boiler en-
CINE, drill press, grist mill, and boiling ma
ShtstN al " GHO OJdtCs AAEkC All
the meal that is used in the prison is
ground.
In the Carpenter and Wagon Shops they
are manufacturing wagons, agricultural
plements, furniture, etc. and have on hand
a large supply.
In the Blacksmith Shop plow points,
sweeps, etc, are made by impress, thereby
saving a great deal of unnecessary labor.
This department seems TO be in flourish
ing condition.
I'll
with work, aud turn out very good work.
Ratio OF unskilled to skilled workmen TWEEN
IL to one.
In the building lately erected is two en-
gines and boiler, that cost the State $4,000;
81, 500 ofthat amount for repairs.
Number of white males now confined j. 50
Number of colored males now confined %
1OLdl --. $1,000 OF
ON PLANTATIONS.
Number of white males 1
Number of white females
Number of colored males .---- 149
Number of colored females--------
Total number of conyicts 242
Amount ofland constituting Penitentiary
grounds, two squares, or about six acres,
which if sold in lots, with buildings, would
bring about one hundred thousand dollars.
The Committee do not think it would be
advisable to make any repairs upon the old
buildings, but would recommend that
new building, on a new SITE said site con-
tanning not less than fifty acres.
The cells in the present building are en-
tirely too small to admit of proper ventila-
ton, more particularly in warm weather
than now, and should it be requisite at an?
time to confine the present number of con-
victs, it will be found that the building IS
entirely too small, and it would be cOnse-
quently necessary to eontine them some
where else.
1t is recommended that the present
grounds and buildings be disposed of with
the exception of that portion OF the material
in the buildings that can be used in the
erection of a new Penitentiary.
1t is further recommended that the Com
mittee, or portion thereof visit the plan
tations, in order to examine the condition
of the convicts there employed
For further particulars reference is here
by made to report of Superintendent.
]. III. PILES, Chairman.