The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-01

Cl0n concerning Gne virginia penlIeutiaFS
i VIRGINIA ;ENlTENTTARY,l
OFFICE OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
RICHMOND, VA, November u. 1877.
TO His E1cellency Gouernor James l..
Kemper:
Sir,-I have the honor to forward here
With the annual reports OF the Superinten-
dent, the Surgeon, and the General Agent
OF the Penltentiary, with accompanying
tables for the fiscal year ending September
30, 1877. also forward a condensed state
ment compiled by order OF the Board as
sort Of consolidated report. which is thought
to exhibit more clearly the actual cost OF
operating the institution.
Pententiary accounts have been con-
fessedly difficult thing to understand,
owing perhaps to the fact that the receipts
as we'll as the expenditures pass through
different channels. Some funds are re-
ceiYed by the superintendent and some by
the general agent, while some disburse,,
ments are made by the latter officer, and
others are made directly from the State
Treasury. 1t is believed that II all the re-
ceipts and ul the disbursements were made
to pass through one channel much OF this
confusion would be removed, and the eX-
act condition of the institution, financially,
be more readily understood.
1t will be evident to those least familiar
! with
THE MYSTERIES OF BOOKKEEPING
that by charging the penitentiary with
stock OF all kinds on hand at the beginning
of the year and the different amounts re-
cciycd from the Treasury and other sources
during the year, and creditinS 1t with
amount OF assets at the end OF the year, en-
bracinc other items due and accrued, the
difference would express the correct amount
OF profit or loss to the institution.
An examination OF the statement thus
prepared shows balance against the prison
OF S33,S42.S7, which the report OF the super
intendent (made according to the form OF
law reduces to s11, 1,32O97; while the ac-
count with the Treasury increases 1t to
So, ,9Os. .3S. These different amounts cam
not all express the proper cost OF maintain
Ing the prison. Assuming, then, S33, ,S42.S7
rs q mean between the two extremes OF the
superintendent and the Treasury to be the
correct balance, it will appear that
THE EXPENSE
of conducting the institution the past year
exceeded that Of the previous year $685.
269. ~ by about $1,000. This excess, how
ever, is more than accounted for by two
facts 1) That the receipts from contractors
lowing partly to special legislation) were
greatly diminished during the last year,
being only $12, ,312.I6 as against S21, 1852
In 1856; and (2) that there has been an
increase OF more than one hundred Q13)
convicts, which has involved an extra cost
OF S4,56495 In the item Of feeding alone.
Had the receipts from hires equaled those
OF the preceding year, and had there been
no increase of prisoners, the balance against
the penitentiary would have been only
Ips I,o1f fof hnfS no
in 1S75-'G-a result which speaks well for
the management OF the prison.
It will be observed from the surgeons
report that there has been very heavy in
crease in
THE MORTALITY
OF the penitentiary, which is double what
il was in 1S75-'T6. The matter OF the over
crowded condition OF the institution, with
the anticipated increase of mortality-the
result OF consumption and other kindred
diseases-al consequent thereon, has been
repeatedly dilated upon both by the sur
geon and the Board, and no language at my
command can reioforce the arguments that
have been made in previous reports. Now,
ns the only partial remedy that perhaps re-
mains, the Board respectfully submits the
plan or erecting additional temporary ac-
commodations outside the prison walls. 1t
is proposed that they be built of wood, and
capable OF containing 400 or 500 convicts,
embracing the more intrm and those under
sentence for short terms, who could be
more safely guarded and controlled in q
building OF this nature. Estimates have
been prepared, and, making due allowance
for unforeseen contingencies, it is believed
that sufficient prison capacity can be OBJ
tanned by this means at a cost not exceeding
r1n 81, f1,o tIa
guards that will be required; and appro.
pirate legislation is earnestly usked for to
carry out this design.
Twelve months ago it was estimated that
THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS
could scarcely be less than 1880 on the 1st
OF October, 1877. The actual number then
was 1872; and but for the fact that recent
discharges exceeded the admissions the
number would have been fully up to the
estimate; and without some decided modi-
fcation in the criminal code, in less than
three wears the number cannot be less than
1900, as previously estimated. II, then, the
mortality is now increasing, with augment
Inc numbers and necessarily diminished ac-
commodations it cannot but be expected to
increase in accelerated ratio even from ordl-
nary causes, while it would be frightful to
contemplate the mortality that would pro
badly ensue from the breaking out of con-
tagious disease. The demand for increased
room is therefore imperative, and can no
longer be safely disregarded; for while the
number may occasionally be reduced by
hiring out the convicts. and perhaps to
some extent permanently by reformation
in criminal legislation, all can see that q
building originally designed for the accom-
modation Of 400 or 500 persons cannot with
safety OF propriety be made to accommodate
double or treble the number.
THE BOARD has TO REPORT
that no sale Of what is known as the "spring.
lot" has been effected, for reasons hereto
fore assigned and which seem to be OF in.
definite duration.
It has also been unable to purchase q
burying-ground for convicts outside of the
prison bounds, owing to the limitation
placed by the Legislature upon the price to
be paid for the land; and it is respectfully
recommended that this restriction be re-
moved and the Board be left free to pur-
chase as the interests OF the institution and
the necessity Of the case may demand.
For reasons given in its report two years
ago the Board recommends reduction oil
the general agents commissions to five per
cent.-a rate which would yield gross
compensation OF more than $4,000, and
which is believed to be fully remunerative
OF the services rendered.
am instructed by the Board to forward
herewith
A COMMUNICATION
from Major John ". Johnston, president OF
the James River and KanaWha Canal Com.
pany, and OF the Buchanan and Clifton.
forge railway with the recommendation.