Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-08-27
REPORT
SPECIAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
STATE PRISONS OF CALIFORNIA
Appointed by the Governor Of California
JuIy 4, 1881.


To HIS Excetieney George C. Perkins, GOoernor OF
the State OF California
Your special Commission OF inquiry into the gem
eral management of the State Prisons of California,
and the official conduct of the officers conneeted
Herewith having discharged the duties imposed py
your letter of appointment and instruction. pes
cave to submit this our final report
LETTER OF APPOINTMENT AND INSTRUCTION.
Your letter notifying US OF our appointment and
conveying your instructions was receiver ny US
JIIv 9Th nit AS expanat nv of the occasion for
the inquiry which by your authority we nave lnstl-
tuted and as presenting in most convenient form
your authorization and Instructions, we peg lease
to reproduce 1t here Introductory OF the matters
estate or CALIFORNIA,
" EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
"a SACRAMENTO, July l, 1881.
s.To Nessrs W. H. Mills, Robert Watt and F. A.
Gibbs-Gentlemen By the adoption OF the new
Constitution the management of the State Prisons
is vested in Board of Directors appointed by the
Governor by and with the advice and consent If
the Senate. The Legislature of 1880 passed an Act
defining regulating and governing the State Prisons
of California.
In accordance with its Instructions and in con-
forrnity with the const tutional requirements APP
pointed five representative gentle men from different
localities Of the State, each of whom possessed the
confluence and respec of the community in which
he lived. They accepted the trust and in due time
ente ed upon the discharge of their duties by Sc
Letting the Wardens and other officers and EN-
ployes of the prisons, assumed the diree-
ton and held responsible for the al:
mi istration of its affairs. Recently charges OF
a serious character have been made by the public
press rejecting upon the Board of Prison Directors
and the Warden in charge of the prison at San
Quentin. The publicity OF these charges demanded
notice from the Board and Warden, and at q meet
ing of the Directors a resolution was unanimously
passed requesting the Governor to appoint Com.
mission to examine into the Ct neral management oil
the prisons and to thoroughly investigate the
charges made by the San Jose Mercury and San
Francisco DaiiU Examiner against the warden oil
the prison at San Quentin, ut whose urgent re-
quest the demand was made, and also TO appoint
financial expert to examine the books and accounts
of said prison. la accordance Herewith have APP
pointed YOU, gentlemen, and have TO thank you Tor
YOUR acceptance | have also appointed Lauren Z.
Crane expert TO examine the books and accounts
of the prison.
Il respectful V ask your consideration to the fol-
lowing Of investigation, in addition to those
involved in the conduct of the Board and Warde
d" First-Is the appointment OF the subordinate
officers and employees of the prison made by reason
of fitness for their position, or does political or
personal influence secure it without regard TO quail
fications?
Second Consider the previous management OF
the prison under the old system, with view OF
its comparison with the present. By this, mean
as to the of supporting the prisoners their EN-
ployment, sanitary condition, moral improvement,
and the general discipline and economy that pre-
walls IT. the several departments of the prison.
g Third-About forty prisoners per month are
discharged from the prisons to minele again IN the
community. what is their influence uI'oh ooCiS.S
Does the statistics OF the prison show that s nfiu-
euce has been of reformatory nature, and does 1t
compare f,vOrably with other penal institutions In
sister Statesf
Fourth the pardoniug power been judi.
cously exercised2 What percentage, II any, oil
those parioned or cnmmuted have again been con
victed and returned to PRISON.
q Fifth-Has the purchase OF machinery and ma
terial by the Board OF Directors with a view oil
making the prison self sustaining, been wise
and expedient measure? And has the appropriation
for that purpose been honorably and judciously eX
pended? In the examination of this subject you
will please bear in mind that after the first OF Jan
uary next all convict labor by contract ceases
81 further desire and particularly request OF you
that You will not conine your investigation to these
mentioned subjects alone, but that III your Judg
ment and wisdom YOU will make thorough and
plenary examination of any and all matters relating
10 the management of the prison, the administra
ton OF the Directors and the conduct OF its officials
ard further. that you will suggest such oJnions as
you may deem of advantage to the interest tf the
prison and the benefit OF taxpayers.
With respect, remain your obedient servant,
"GEO. C. PERKINS, Governor
Observing the order of subjects presented for our
bQu leave a call attention TO