Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1873-05-20
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES
Passed at the Third Session Of the Forty
Second Congress.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
GENERAL NATURE->No. II.

GENERAL NATURE->No III
An Act to provide for the establishment of a
military prison, and for its government.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of
REPRESENTATIVES of the United States of Amerl'
ca in Congress assembled, That there shall be
established at Rock Island in the State of Hi
nois, prison for the confinement and reforma-
ton of offenders against the rules, regulations
and laws for the government ofthe army OF the
United States, in which shall be securely con-
fined, and employed at labor, and governed in
the manner hereinafter directed, all offenders
convicted before any court martial or military
commission in the United States, and SEN
fenced according to law to Imprisonment
therein.
Sec. 2. That the Secretary of War shall Or
ganize board of five members, to consist OF
three officers of the army and two persons from
civil life, who shall adopt plan for the build
ing of such prison, and who shall frame regu-
lations for the government of the prisoners, in
accordance with the provisions of this act. The
said commissioners from civil life shall hold
their offices for the term of three years, and
shall be paid five dollars a day while on duty,
and necessary travelling expenses; and the said
officers of the army shall, at all times be SUBJ
ject to removal by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That the Secretary of War SHALL with
said commissioners, semisannually, and as
much oftener as may be deemed expedient visit
said prison for the purposes of examination,
quire into all abuses or neglects of duty on the
part of the officers or other persons in charge OF
the same, and make such changes in the gener-
al discipline of the prison as they may hold to
be essential. ---.-..
Sec. 4. That the officers of the prison shall
consist of a commandant and such subordinate
officers as may be necessary, q chaplain, sur
geon, and clerk, who shall he detailed by the
Secretary of War from the commissioned off.
GERS of the army and sufficient number oil
enlisted men shall be detailed by the Secretary
of War to act as turkeys, guards, and assistants
in the prison. UT
Sec. 5. That one of tie inspectors of the army
shall, at least once in three months, visit the
prison for the purpose of examining into the
books and all the affairs thereof, and ascertain
ing whether the laws, rules and regulations re-
lating thereto are complied with, the officers are
component and the convicts properly governed
and employed, and faithful, and at the same
time treated with humanity and Kindness And
it shall be the duty of the Inspector, at once,
to make full report thereof to the Secretary OF
War. I'D
Sec. G. That before the commandant enters
upon the duties of his Office he shall give bond,
with sufficient sureties, in a sum to be fixed by
the Secretary of War, to be approved by him,
conditioned that he shall faithfully account for
all money placed in his hands for the use of the
prison and for the faithful discharge of all his
duties as commandment. He shall have COM
mand of the prison; shall have the charge and
employment of the prisoners, and the custody
of all the property ofthe government connected
with the prison. He shall receive and paw out
of all money used for the prison, and shall
cause to be kept, in suitable books, complete
accounts OF all the property, expenses, income,
business, and concerns of the prison and shall
make full and regular reports thereof to the
Secretary of War; and shall under the direc-
ton and with the approval of the Secretary OF
War; employ, for the benefit of the United
States, the convicts at such labor and in such
trades as may be deemed best for the health and
reformation. He shall have power to sell and
dispose of any articles manufactured by the
convicts, and shall regularly account for the
proceeds thereof, and shall give bond and secu.
rity for the faithful keeping and accounting Of
all moneys and property coming to his hands as
such commandment. He shall take note and make
record of the good conduct of the convicts, and
shall shorten the daily time of hard labor fol
those who, by their obedience, honesty, indus
try, or general good conduct, earn such
tavors and the Secretary of War is authorized
and directed to remit, in part, the sentences o
such convicts, and to give them an HONORABLE,
restoration to duty in case the same is merited
and in case any convict shall dsobey the Lawful
orders of the officers of the prison, or refuse t,
comply with the rules of the rules and regula
tlons thereof, he may be placed in solitary con
tnement and the commadant shall at once re
port the case to the secretary of War, who shall
direct the inspector to make full examination
and reportthe matter at the next inspection
but in no case shall any prisoner be subjected
TO whipping, branding or the carrying O
weights for the purpose of discipline or for bro
ducing penitence; and every prisoner, upon be
ing discharged from prison, shall be furnshe
with decent clothing.
Sec. z. That the use of newspapers and book
shall not be denied the convicts at times whe
not employed; and that unofficial visitors sha
be admitted to the prison under such restric
tons as the board of commissioners may impos,
The prisoners shall not be denied the privileg
OF communicating with their friends by lettel
from receiving the communications from then
all of which shall be subject to the inspection
the commandment, or such. officer as he may assig
to that duty.
Sec. 8. That the prisoners shall be supple
with ample and clean bedding, and with whole
or under discipline their diet shall be prt
scrlbed by the proper authority. The priso
shall be suitably ventilated, and each prisone
shall have weekly bath of cold or tepid waite
which shall be applied to the whole surface {
the body, unless the surgeon shall direct other
wise for the health of the prisoner
Sec. .. That no officer of the prison, or oth'
person connected Herewith, shall be concerne
or interested, directly or indirectly, in any col
tract purchase, or sale made on account of ii
prison.
Sec 10. That any officer who shall suffer
convict to escape or shall aid him to escape,
IN an attempt to escape, shall, upon conviction
be dismissed from the service. and SUITE
hict - =
rI Gee. Il. That any soldier or other person en-
10 S.ca IN the prison who shall suffer convi
escape or IT cSd shall in any way consent to b
conI p' 70 escape, shall, upon conviction by
one year. Nned tnerein not less ina
Sec r. That all prisoners under conane