Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-03-13
OUR COUNTY PRIsoN.-The Board of

OUR COUNTY PRlSOS.-Ihe Board oil
Commissioners of Public Charities in their
Annual Report 10 the Legislature, contains
the following in regard to the Jail of this
county, which was visited by the board, in
August last, in pursuance of their duties.
The report is anything but fiattering to the
people and authorities of this county. The
The report shows that in some Of the cOun-
ties where they bave prisons adapted for
The purpose, many of the prisoners earn
more than he cost "fkeeping them, besides
the security afforded against escape. A
new and properly constructed prison in this
county is not only necessary, but desirable
as a matter of economy and saving to the
tax payers:
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY PRISON.
August &. 1873. This old prison remains
without improvements or repairs. and if
possible is in a still worse state of dilapida-
ton. Escapes are frequent, six having
been made during the last seven months;
a case-knife being sufficient, as l was in
formed by leading citizen, to open a way
of escape through almost any part Of the
decayed structure.
Six cells or apartments are provided for
the confinement Of prisoners. but thes.
are merely used as sleeping apartments
association being permitted everywhere IN
the i'll arranged building itself, aud also lis
the yard connected with it. An effort n
separation or Classification i'll this so-call,d
prison would be futile. Consequently norte
is made. Employment is not thought Of
In no one, visited by the General Agent.
are the objects to be effected by pris0a dis
cipline more disregarded. In none is the
general appearance and condition worss-
The present sheriff, who has been in Office
but a short time. complains not Only of the
insecurity of the building and outside er-
closure, but of the impossibihty of keeping
it in proper order. II is totally without
cOnveniences. Water has to be carried by
hand Ventilation is neglected. The
floors, the walls, the bedding. all bear testi-
mony Of tbs neglect into which this fual
tNNDAdNSO bsAo DICA wa wv
sanitary condition of place thus decayed
and neglected, having from ten to twenty
inmates, must OF necessity be bad. The
records Of the institution will no doubt show
that to have been the case. Evidence of
il presented themselves to my observation
at the time of the inspection. The prison
is warmed by stoves. The beds are of
straw in soiled and filthy ticking. Iron
bcdsteads are used. In some cases the
floor is used for the forbidden upholstery,
called bed.
The prisoners are boarded by the sheriff
at 80 cents per day. The usual prison fare
is provided.
a; the date of my visit il contained Is
prisoners-13 males and fenaIes-only
three of whom had been tried. One WAS
convicted of murder, but having contracted
pulmonary disease. the execution of the
sentence has been postponed" He is in the
last stage of that fatal malady. One man.
charged with having taken horse, was
acquitted on the ground of insanity, but is
still confined. The facts, as alleged, 90 to
show that he was suffering under mental
disorder when the offence was committed.
was unable to learn the precise cost for
1872, but it must have been from 81, 500 To
$1,000. Thirty-three convicts were main
tained at the Eastern Penltentiary in 1872.
at a cost. with transportation expenses, of
g, Ill 95.
The sooner the old structure falls to the
ground the better; and when it is replaced
by another, may we not hope it will be 80
constructed as to be adapted to the Penn
sylvania system Of prison decipline i?
*Since deceased.