The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-01
THE PENITENTIARY.
ANNUAL REPORT OF TIE BOARD OF d.
RECToRs OF TIE PENITENTIARY TO Gov-
ERNoR KEdPER-THE INsTITUTI0N
DENsELY. CROwDED-MoRE ROOM NEED
ED-A GOOD FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.

ERN0R fKEMpER-THE RESTITUTION
DENsELY. CROwDED-MoRE ROOM NEED
ED-A GOOD FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
The report Of the Board, Of Directors Of
the penitentiary, made to Governor Kem-
per through the president, Colonel John
b. Cary, shows: First, that, despite the in
creased number OF convicts and the de-
pressed condition OF two Of the most i'm
portant branches OF manufactures In the
institution, for reasons fully set forth both
by the Superintendent and the General
Agent, 1t has been maintained at less cost
than during the previous years; and second,
tnat though this increase in numbers within
the limits OF the penitentiary necessarily
diminished the accommodations Of each in
mate, the mortality has not increased among
them, as might reasonably have been ex.
pected.
"For the year ending September 80, 1875,
the average number of conyicts was 500,
maintained at total cost of S27,515 .64
For the corresponding year 1876 the ave-
rage number was 1,021, maintained Mt a total
cost of 26,263.44, making the average cost
per capita per annum s25.72 against S31.86
the year previous), equivalent to about seven
cents per day per convict.
"This saving in the cost OF supporting
the institution has been In part effected by
introducing a new system OF guard duty
and diminution of the number to the low
est limit allowed by law. twill be noticed
also from the report Of the General Agent
that as result Of this economy he has only
drawn from the treasury Of the State the
sum of $4,000, instead Of the $4,000 to
which he was by law entitled, and which
has heretofore been uniformly drawn every
year. With the anticipated continued in
crease, however, in the number Of prison.
ers, it is not expected that as favorable an
exhibit can be made another year."
The health Of the institution has been re-
markably good, but the Board say that the
prisoners are crowded together too closely
in the cells, and that the Legislature ought
either to prepare to remove the institution
and erect new buildings, or to enlarge and
rearrange the present ones.
The Penitentiary-Spring lot has not been
sold. The title Of portion Of it Is in liti-
cation.
Temporary improvements for the accoms
modation Of the women have been made at
a cost of S1,620.14.
| The Board mention that the duties of SUI
| perintendent since ColonelsStrother's ill
ness have been faithfully discharged by Mr..
Cross, first assistant, and they recommend
that he be allowed some additional compen-
sation:
The report Of Assistant Superintendent
Cross, which accompanies the Boards,
states that the number Of prisoners belong.
ing to the institution is far in excess Of any
previous year, as will be seen as follows
On the goth September, 1870, there were
761 convicts; 3Oth September, 1871, 1928
30th September, 1872, s23; 3Oth September
1878, 1853; both September, 1874, 1856; 30tt
September, 1876, 942; 30th September, 1876
1,099. And they are thus distributed-viz
ut the Old Dominion Granite Company
2O2; on the railroad, 81; in the male de-
partment OF prison, 729; in the female de
partment OF prison, Ill.
Mr.. Cross says the prison is greatly over.
crowded. He takes occasion Ito say tha
several ladies and gentlemen of various de
nominations have interested themselye:
greatly in behalf OF the spiritual welfare o
the prisoners, and a marked change for th'
better with many Of them is visible. Muci
credit is due these ladies and gentlemen TO-
their untiring efforts in such good work.
would suggest here the proprlety OF having
chaplain regularly appointed, whose tim
could be devoted here not only on the Sab
bath, but every day in the week, whose sal
AIRY could be obtained, or nearly so, by tn
admission fees OF visitors to the institu
tion."
There are in the institution 13 prisoner
(incuding s murderers) for lie, (Rober
Hogan) in for 81 years for horse-stealing,
prisoner for 3S years, . for 36, 2 for %, 8 TO
"A, 2 for %, and 16 for 20 years.
DR.. NJ NJ. Walker, the surgeon, in his re
port to the Board, also urges that NOR
room is needed and that the prison is over
crowded. There were, however, durin!
the year but ten deaths from natural causes
The deaths from accidental injuries wer
three-one in the building, boy ten year
old, who fell into tub of boiling coffee
one at the works OF the Old Dominion Gran
ite Company, whose thigh was badl.
crushed under block of granite; and on
in the Valley Of Virginia, with P. B. Borst
contractor, who was struck on the head b.
q falling tree.
The report of the General Agent, consid
ering the universal depression OF business
is very encouraging one, and proves tha
he has actively eXerted himself to extent
trade.
Altogether the institution appears to b
in good condition and economically man
aged.