The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-08-07
Z a w s
OF THE
Unite d S tat e s.,
PASSED AT THE
THIRD SESSION OF THE FoRTY-SECoND
CONGRESS-.
GENERAL NATURE-No. TT

| THIRD SESSION OF THE FORTY-SECOND
CONGRESS-
GENERAL NATURE-NO. II.
AN ACT to provide for the establishment o
military prison, and for its government
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House O
Representatives Of the United States O.
.4naerica in Congress assembled, That ther,
shall be established at Rock Island, iu til
State Of Illinois, prison for the corfnemen
and reformation of offenders against the rules
regulations, and laws for the government o.
the army of the UHited States, in which shall
be securely confined, and employed at labor
and governed III the manner hereinafter drec
ted, all offenders convicted before any court
martial or military commission in the United
States, and sentenced according to law K
Imprisonment therein.
See. Q. That the Secretary Of War shal
organize board of FIVE members, to consls
of three officers of the army and two persons
| from civil life, who shall adopt plan for thu
| 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 Of three years, and ehaf
| be paid five dollars a day while on duty, and
necessary travelling expenses; and the said officers
of the army SHALL at alltinfes, be subject to re-
moval by the Secretary of War.
| Sec. 8. That the Secretary of War shall, with
said commissioners, semi annually, and as much
! oftener as may be deemed expedient, visit said
prison for the purposes of examination, inspec-
ton, and correction; and they shall inquire in
| to all abuses or negects of duty on the part of
the officers or other personsi in charge of the sam
and make such changes in the general discipline
of the prison as they may hold to be essential.
Sec A. That the officers of the prison shall con-
sst of a commandant and such subordinate off :
GERS as may be necessary. chaplain, surgeon,
and a clerk, who shafl be detailed by the Secre-
tary of War from the commissioned officers of
the army and sufficient number of enlisted
men shall be detailed by the Secretary of War to-
act as turkeys, guards, and assistants in pris
on.
SEC 5 That one Of the inspectors Of the army
SHALL at least in three months, visit the pfis-
on for the purpose of examining into the books
and all the affairs thereof and ascertalning wheth-
err the.laws rules and regulations relating there
to are complied WITH the officers are competent
and faithful, and the convicts properly governed
aud employed, and at the same time treated with
humanity and kindness. And it shall be duty OF
the inspector at once, to make full report there
of to the Secretary of War.
~ =. ,. 80 ~ ts.. sbaII Two hond
upun .n1 uus.e0 ~ 10 49, -. :. sxad h.
y, ae - = ~ -, $1,000 ~. III,
conditioned thst he shall faithfully account for
al money placed in his hands for the use of the
prison and for the faithful discharge of all his
duties as commandment H. shall have command
of the prison; shall have hseharge and employ
ment of the prisoners and the custody Of all the
~ ~ +: .sa.;.-s o,,d ~, IA al M a.
ga e., ~ IA shall caIlse 10 be kent
in s,itshla booka comnlete accounts of all the
,ronart1S arnen'es ;pcome3 business ard con
49, ~ 10 rison ana sba rake fail snd req
Mar renorts thereof to the Secretary Of War /;
ual lepV's ~ d;reo,;on sS with tho an
rrona1 80 10 sacre,ary If War e6nloy for the
bena6t If tho ITnitad States tEs conyicts at such
lohor ood II, such. tra;fes a 1nv be deemed best
For ~ al. naolfb ond reformation. He shall have
~ u5o,. - sall ond d;,nosa of anv articles. manu-
factn rod hv INA convics and shall regularly &C
count for the nroceeds thereof. and shall give
bond and secnritv for the faithful Keeping and
accountino Of iii monevs and property coming
to his hands as auch con,imanFsnt II e shall take
ms - savn - ~. rood conduct Of tho
conv;cts and Oh Iii srte ths dai,v lime Of hard
Ia hor fo, tbose who Nv ,ber obedience honesty.
industry general oood cenduct'' earn suen
f.vors and tha Sscr. tarv If war ia authorized
and directed to remit. ~ mart. the sentences of
such. eouvicts. and to give them an honorable
restoration to duty in case the same is merited ;
and in case anv convict shall disobey the lawful
orders of the officers of the prison, or refuse to
comnlv with tho rules and reguiatious thereof.
ba NAV he n,aced IN solitary confinement. and
the commandant. shall 1t once report the case to
the Secretary Of War. who shall direct the in
spector to make full examination and report of
shall anv prisoner be subjected to whipping,
Ebrandine. or the CARRYING of weights for the
+ purpose of discipline, or for producing pen
Ettence. and every prisoner. upon being discharg-
ed frofnn, PRISON shalsbe furnished with decent
Eclothine-
SEC That the use Of newspapers and books
| shall not be denied the conyicts at times when
not emnloyed !. and that unofficial visitors shall
be admitted to the prison under such restriction
Eas the hoard of commissioners NAV impose
The prisoners shall not be denied the privilege of
communicative with their friends by letter, and
from receiving like communications from them
all of which sIa Il be subject to inspection of the
Commandment or snch officer as he NAV assign to
that duty.
SEC. s. That the prisoners iit shall be supplied
@ a AND su an ps fsod but When in hospital or
under discipline their diet shall be prescribed by
the proper authori1y The prison shall be suitably
ventilated. and each prisoner shall have weekly
bath of cold or tepid water, which shall be ap-
| Piled to the whole surface OF the oouy, uEiess