Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-06-28
wIBbEE9T0E. DEL.
Saturday Afternoon, June AZ.
STATE PRISONS as sELF SUSTAINING IN
sTTTUTI0Ns AND C0RRRCTIVEs OF


STATE PRISONS as sELF SUSTAINING IN
sTITUTI0Ns AND C0RRRCTIvEs OF
CRIME.Yv- 4 sitt-a'4 luB
From Baltimore comes the welcome intelli-
genes that the Maryland Penitentiary is self
sustaining, and more-it has become source
of revenue to the state During the past few
daysthe Grand Jury Of the Monumental City
have visited the institution In an official capaci-
ty,And 1t IL through this visit that the announce
ment is made, thus insuring its genuneness.
Industries Of doubtful utility and profit have
been abandoned, aud others have been substitu-
ted which yield a larger percentage upon the
wares manufaotured.s 80 that from burden upon
the State the .Penitentiary has grown to become
q source OF revenue which will probably return,
this year. about 40. 900.
In the same category might be classed the work
house Of Cincinnati. which is also self-sustain-
ing, though from the shortness OF the terms OF
its inmates it might be supposed that it would
be otherwise This institution was founded by
the city with view to meet long felt demand
"a place Of correction for criminals after CON
viction and to restrain others from the commits
sion Of crime. It is conducted by the city alone,
and criminals from the State are not admitted
within ita precints and although a vast institu-
ton il is not required to draw its support from
the city.
We have cited these instances to show that
prisons may be made self-sustaining The ex
pense which they might be upon the State is the
chief objection urged against the abolition Of
the whipping post in Delaware but this objec-
ton must fall before such strong testimony.
Nor is there any good reason why State prisons
should not be able to sustain themselves or, un-
der proper management, become fruitful
source of revenue They ought to succeed
above all other industrial enterprises. Labor
costs them nothing save in the food and clothing
which is required for the convicts, both Of which
are Of the pAinest kind 1t is true that salared
officers are required, but the difference between
convict aud pad labor will fully compensate for
these, leaving still the same margin for prof OF
any well-conducted manufactory. Such prisons
are nothing more than cooperative enterprises-
Joint stock affairs Of the people - wherein
the several counties OF the State put in their
capital in labor, and by careful direction of it
under a competent superintendent may be made
as renumeratiye as the weighty industries which
abound in this city, many OF which are conduct
ed under tho joint stock system. OF course mo-
ney will be required to erect the necessary build
ings and provide the requisite machinery, but
this might be done in few years from the fund
which is annually required to maintain our coun-
ty prisons
AS a corrective for criminals we may relate a
single case from the Maryland Peniteu tiary
which will prove the efficacy OF the system. Five
years ago Levin ], Hammond was sent to the
States Prison from Worcester county, and on
Tuesday next he will be set at liberty. He was
farm hand at the time Of conviction, but has
been taught shoemaking, and so proficient has
he beeornethat hs goes from his place Of con-
hnement to a situation already obtained in an
other State, fitted and prepared to re-establish
himself in life. During his incarcar alton he has
been perfectly doclle and has saved a fund of
$40 from oyerWork (allowed by the institution)
besides having sent several sums to his wife at
home.
We might note other cases equally forcbe, as
this is not an exceptional one but it is sufficient
for our purpose. 1t Ii ominsntly practical, and
'ts repetition is even possible in Delaware.