The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-05-03
[oFfIcIAL.1
LdtCs of the United States
Third Session of the FOrty-secOnd Congress,
[GENEHAL, NATURE-No. ~

GENERAL NATURE-No. III
AN ACT to provide for the establishment of a mill
tary prison, and for its government.
Be enacted by the Senate and House OF Represen-
tatYes Of the United States OF America in Congress
assembled, That there shall be established at Rock
Island in the State OF Illinois, prison for the con
nement and reformation of offenders agant the rules,
regulations and laws for the government Of army
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 sentenced accordingto law to
Imprisonment therein.
Sec. 2. That the Secretary of War shall organize
board of five members, to consist of three officers of
the army and two persons from civil life who shall
adopt plan for the building of such prison, and
who shall frame regulations 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 fthree years. and shall
be paid FIVE dollars day while on duty and necessa
ry travelling expenses and the said officers of the
army SHALL at all times, be subject to removal by the
Secretary of War.
Sec. 8. That the Secretary of War SHALL with said
commissioners, semiannually, and much oftener
may be deemed eXpedient visit said prison for the
purposes Of examination, inspection, and correction
and they shall inquire into all abuses or negects Of
duty on the part Of the officers other persons in
charge of the same, and make such changes in the
general discipline OF the prison as they may hold to
be essential.
Sec. 4. That the officers Of the prison shall consist
OF acommandant and such subordinate officers as
may DC necessary, chaplain, surgeon, and clerk,
who shall be detailed by the Secretary of War from
the commissioned officers of the army and sutii-
Gent number OF enlisted men shall be detailed by the
secretary OF War to act as turkeys guards, and
Sistants in the prison.
See. 5. That one ofthe inspectors of the army SHALL
at least in three months visit the prison for the
purpose OF examining into the books and all the af
fairs thereof and ascertaining whether the laws,
rules, ana regulations relating thereto are complied
Wltn the ofcers are competent and faithful and the
eonyicts properly governed and employed and at the
same time treated with humanity and kindness
And II shall be the duty Of the inspector, at once to
make Iul report thereof TO the Secretary of War
Sec. 9. That before the commandant enters upon
the duties OF his office he shall give bond. with suli
cient suretes, In 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 commandant lie shall
have command Of the prison; shall have the charge
and employment of the prisoners and the custody OF
all the property OF the government connected with
the prison: lie shall receive and pay out 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 prl-
son; 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
vcts at such labor and in such trades may be deem
ed best for their health and reformation. lie shall
nave power TO sell and dispose OF any articles manu-
tactured by the conyics, and shall regularly account
for the proceeds thereof and shall give bond and
curlty Tor the faithful keeping and accounting OF all
moneys and property coming to his hands as such
commandant. He shall take note and make record OF
me good conduct OF the conylcts and shall shorten
the daily time Of hard labor for those who, by their
obedience honesty. industry, or general good con-
duct, such favors and the Secretary of War is
authorized and directed to remit in part the senten-
ces OF such conYicts and to give them an honorable
restoration to duty IN case the same is merlted and
in case any convict shall dsobey the lawful orders
the officers Of the prison refuse to comply with the
rules and regulations thereof he may be placed Ill
solitary confinement, and the commandant shall at
once report the case to the Secretary of War; who
shall direct the inspector to make full examination
and report of the matter at the next Inspections but
IN no case SHAH any prisoner be subjected to whip
ping, branding, or the carrying of weights for the
purpose OF discipline, for producing penitence
and every prisoner upon being discharged from prl-
son, shall be furnished with decent clothing.
Sec. !. That the use ofnewspapers and books shall
not be denied the cOnyicts at times when employ
ed and that unofficial visitors shall be admitted to
the prison under such restrictions as the board OF
commissioners may impose. The prisoners shall not
be denied the privilege of communicating with their
friends by letter, and from receiving like communi
cations from them, all Of which shall be subject to
the inspection of the commandant, such officer as
he may assign to that duty.
sec. s. That the prisoners shall be supplied with
ample and clean bedding, and with wholesome and
sufficient food, but when in hospital or under disci-
pine their diet shall DC prescribed by the proper a
thority The prison shall be suitably ventilated and
each prisoner shall have weekly bath Ofcold tep-
i'd water, which shall be applied to the whole surface
OF the body unless the surgeon shall direct otherwise
for the health of the prisoner.
Sec. o. That no officer of the prison, or other per
son connected Herewith, shall be concerned or inter
ested directly or indirectly. III any contract pur-
chase, or sale made on account of the prison
Sec. 10. That any officer who shall suffer convict
to escape shall in any way consent to his escape
or shall aid him to escape in attempt to escape,
shall, upon conviction, be dismissed from the service,
and suffer such other punishment a court-martial
may inhict.
Sec. IL. That any soldier or other person employed
III the prison who shall suffer convict to escape
shall IN any way consent to his escape, shall aid
him TO escape, or in an attempt to escape shall upon
convection by court-martial be confined thercinnot
less than one year.
sec. - That all prisoners under confinement in
SAID military prisons undergoing sentence of courts
martial shall be liable TO trial and punishment by
under the rules and articles OF for
offences committed during the said confinement.
Approved March, 3, 1873