Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-07-25
GENERAL NATURE-No. I'll

AN ACT to provide for tho establishment of military
| prison, and for it's government
Be by the and Representative
Of the United stes of America In Congress assembled
That there shall be established at Rok Island in the
Of Illinois, prison for the confinement and reformation of
offenders against the Tucs regulations and laws for the
government of the of the United States in which shall
be securely confined employed labor and governed
in the manner her naer directed all offenders convicted
before any coutmartiaI or military commission in the
United Sate and sentenced according law to mprson-
| ment therein.
SEC @ That the Secretary Of War shall organize board
of five members OF three officers of the army and
two persons from civil life who shall adopt plan for the
the government OF the prisoners in accordance with the
provisions Of this act The said commissioners from civil
lie shall hold their Offices for the of three years. and
hs BE- paid five dollars day while duty and necessary
Travelling expenses; and TIC said officers Of the army SHALL
at a tme be subject removal by the Secretary Of War
sEC. 3. That the Secretary Of War rhal with said COM
mssioners sem-annuay, and AS mcuh oener as may be
deemed expeden visit said prison for the purposes Of ex
animation, inspection and corrections and they shall in
qure into all abuses neglecs Of duty the part Of the
other rerons in charge of the same, make
such changes in the general discipline Of the prison as they
msy hold to be essential.
SEC. T. That the officers of the prison shall consist of
commandant and such subordinate officers may be nee
tssary chaplain, surgeon, and clerk who shall be de-
OF the aImy aud sufficient mber of enlisted
shall be deaed by the Secretary of War 10 act as turkeys
guards AID assistants in the prison
SEC. g. That of the Inspectors of the army shall ut
Of examining into the hooks and ali the aars thereof and
raining whether the laws rules aud regulations rela
Ing thereto complied with the officers are competent
poyed and the time treated with humanity and
kindness And shall be the duty Of the Inspector at once
to make full report thereof to the Secretary OF War.
SEC. 3. That before the eommlndant enters upon the
duties Of his office he shall give bond with sufficient sure
ties sum to be fixed by the Secretary War; be APP
proved by him. conditioned that he shall faithfully
for all money placed in his hands for the use Of the prison
and for he faithful discharge of all his duties as command
ant He shall have command of the prison thal have the
charge and employment of the prisoners and the custody OF
s the property Of the government connected with The pTa
He shall receive and pay out Of all money used for the
prison, aud shall be kept in suitable books com
peto accounts Of all the property expenses income bus nss
audc efrnar f he MAKE
reports thereof to the Secretary Of War; and SHALL under
the direction and with the approval Of the Secretary Of War
employ for the benefit of the United States the convcts at
such labor and in such trades may be deemed best Tor
their health and reformation He shall have power 70 sen
and dispose Of articles manufactured by the conVc
shall regularly account for the proceeds thereof and
shall give bond and security for the faithful keeping ana
as such commandan He shall take note and make record
the good conduct Of the convic and shall shorten the
honesty indntry general good conduct earn such IA
and the Secretary Of War Is authorized aud directed
them an honorable restoration duty in the same is
meried and In any convict sha disobey the lawful
the rules and equations thereof he may be placed in so
tay confinement and the eommandant shall at once report
the to the Secretary of War who shall direct Tue IN
specor to make full examination and report Of the matter at
the next inspection but in no case shall any prisoner pc
subjected to whipping, branding or the carrying Of weights
for the purpose Of discipline for producing penitence
and every prisoner upon being discharged from prison. ha
SEC 4 That the use Of newspspers and books shall be
denied the eonvcs at times when not employed and that
unotlcla De pisou
restrictions the bOSd Of commissioners impose The
prisoners shall be denied the privilege Of oommuncat
Ing with their friends by letter, and from receiving like
communications from them all Of which shall be subject TO
the inspection Of the eommandan or such oce As he may
assign to that duty.
SEC. s. That the prisoners shall be supplied with ample
clean bedding and with wholesome and sufficient food
but when In hospital under discipline their diet shall be
pretcrlbed BY the proper authority. The prison shall be
suitably ventilated aud each prisoner shall have weekly
bath Of cold teped 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 officer Of the prison. other person
nected Herewith sha be concerned interested directly
Indirectly In any contract purchase, sale made
| count Of the prison.
SEC. TO- That any officer who shall suffer convict 10
sha In consent 10 his escape shsl
aid him 10 escape in attempt escape SHALL upon
conviction be dismissed from the service and suffer such
| other punishment q court-martal may nhict.
| SEC IL. That any soldier ether person employed In
the prison who shall suffer convict TO escape, shall in
any way to his escape sha aid him escape
in an attempt to escape shall upon conviction by court
martial, be confined therein not less than year.
SEC. H. That all prisoners under confinement In said mill
tary prisons undergoing sentence Of courmara shall be
liable to trial and punishment by courmartial under the
rules articles Of for ofensOs Committed during the
said eonfement.
Approved March 3, 1873,