The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-13
Alleged Nisfrcatment OF .Convicts.
The following report was made to the
Board OF Directors Of the Penitentiary some
VIRGINIA PESlTESTrARY, !,

I.
VIRGINIA PESITESTrARY,1
October 4, 1878.
Gentlemen,-Taking the average ofsthe
whole number Of convicts for the year just
closed, we have death-roll OF about four
and n bali per cent. This, however, isinot
a fair estimate for the prison. The James
River and KanaWha Canal Company have
had an average OF three hundred and fifty
men for the year and, including two that
were returned to the peutentiary in q
dying condition, thirty-two have died in
their hands-a death-rate OF over nine per
cent. Well may an explanation OF this fear
full mortality be asked. 1t is not hard to
account for. The men were not properly
clothed and fed during the winter, and
were worked in the coolest and most in
clement weather. At night they were
crowded together in canal-boats without
ventilation. Under this bad management
it was not long before they were all unfit
for duty, and for time work had to be sus-
pended. Upon my return from a visit Of
inspection to them at Tye river, in Nelson
county, reported their condition to you
IN written communication indeed, you
saw for yourselves, as many or them were
returned to the prison for treatment. The
| impoverished and morbid condition o. the
blood brought on by these causes establish.
ed predisposition to many diseases, aud
rendered them q ready prey TO any and
every disease that might attack them.
| Nearly all the deaths from disease that have
occurred along the line OF the canal during
the year may be justly attributed to the
treatment OF last winter. They have hardly
yet gotten over It's effects.
Two prisoners were returned from the
works of the Old Dominion Granite Com.
panY with injuries that resulted in death
SO that our prison mortality is reduced to IL
for an average OF G39-about q per cent
| This is little greater than it has been here
tofore; but the increase is not due to any
contagious or infectious disease, and is hare
to account for. The deaths from consump
ton were seven-the same as for the yeal
| 1STG-'77.
In orr reports for the last two or three
years we have urged the necessities OF tbt
institution. These reports can easily bt
obtained, and it is useless TO repeat wha
has been said, but beg leave to refer t
them as showing the condition and capacit,
of the building.
With this communication you will fint
the usual statistical tables from the hospita
department. Very respectfully,
NJ. N. WALKER, Surgeon.
To the Directors Of the Virginia Peniten
tiary.
The Board in their annual report said:
1.-THE report OF the Surgeon upon th
heavy mortality (and the causes thereof
which has prevailed among the. convict
employed by the James River and kanawh
Canal Company demands attention. Hay
ing heard unfavorabe reports as to tn
management of prisoners last spring, ur
der the direction OF the Board the Surgeo
made tour along the whole line OF th
works, which partly confirmed the rumor
and the attention OF the president OF tn
company having been called to the fact
assurances were received that prompt mea
sures should BE taken to rectify all abuse:
which probably have not been so effectu;
as he expected, owing to causes not cntirel
within his CONTROL"
In the report OF Superintendent Swami
he says that the number of convicts VIII
died in the service or the canal during til
year was 80; two more were returned [
the prison and died; number who escape
and were not recaptured, A.
In view OF these statements the Jane
River and Kanawha Canal Company
through their president, have asked for Il
investigation, so that they may present thei
side OF the case. Yesterday, on motion {
| Mr.. Mottett, the House authorized the Con
mttee or Asylums and Prisons to send &c
persons and papers to enable them 10 max
4 full investigation.