The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-12-26
THE SOUTHERN PRISON.
Annual Report Of the Board Of Direc.
tors.
General Condition of the Prison, In
mates, Finances and Needs.

The annual report of the Directors of the
Southern Prison has been filed in the Gov
ernor's office. AS Horace " NorveH and w.
d. II. Hunter were elected by the last Legis.
lature as members of the Board, aud the re-
organization took place in March, 1888, the
Directors say that the necessity OF a lengthy
report is precluded. Since the last report
most excellent cell house with all modern
conveniences and improvements has been
completed and furnished, containing 200
cells of two beds each and capable of con-
tanning 400 convicts. The cell house was oc.
cupied first in November and is now
occupied by 800 convicts. This has enabled
the management TO remove the convicts
from the corridors and other places not
suitable for sleeping, and to place the con-
victs in airy and wholesome cells, and this
fact has aided greatly in the improvement
of the sanitary condition of the Prison, as
well as the safety and comfort of those con-
fined.
The discipline OF the Prison has not dete-
riorated during the past year but has greatly
improved, which may be attributed largely
| to the workings of the new time law, which
| has given the Warden a means of discipline
not heretofore available. The results of this
| system has been to make the use Of the lash
| greatly lessened.
The condition of the prison averages we'll
| with that of past years, and though the
number Of conVicts confined during the past
| few years has been reduced. the cost for
maintaining them per capita has also di-
minished the discipline improved and the
death rate reduced, Notwithstanding the
deaths in the past year were larger than the
| the average This is accounted for by
the fact that most of the deaths were from
consumption and other chronic diseases.
| The buildings are in sucn condition that
| special appropriations must be made in time
! Tor their repair to secure them for
| the uses for which they were built
| With the present income from convict labor
the expenses of the Prison can not be met
| without aid from the State. The Board ex-
| presses the hope, however, that in the future
| they may be able to place the Institution on
a better paying basis. To that end adver-
tisements nave been made in the papers for
| letting the labor OF 175 convicts. the bids to
be received and opened in January. The
food has been abundant wholesome, and
given in variety, to secure good health, and
the Board are of the opinion that the cOndi-
ton of the convicts prove this assertion. At
this time but two insane convicts are in the
mad house, and one of these has been con-
fined for eleven years There is no suitable
building on the grounds tor the separation
of these persons from the prisoners
or of taking care of them:
caring for the insane is necessity. The
Board make special mention of Warden
Howard for the efficient manner in which he
has administered bis Office, and also of
Deputy Warden Craig and Captain Huette.
The total number of convicts in Prison at
the beginning of the fiscal year was $50, at
the close of the year 54S, the daily average
5fS. The daily average in 1879 was 624;
showing decrease in five years Of 46. The
total number received for each year from
1922 to 1885 was 1868; discharged, 1915. The
death rate during this period
was Ii per cent, while the
death rate during the last eight years
under the present management was lilo per
cent OF the 54S in Prison 241 were born in
this State, eighty in Kentucky, 1SS in other
States and thirty-nine IN foreign countries
At date OF conviction seventy one per cent.
were thirty years of age and under fifty, nine
per cent. could read and write; eighteen per
cent could read only, and twenty three per
cent could neither read or write. Fifty-seven
per cent were single and thirty-hve percent.
were married. and eight per cent. were
widowers. At the time of entering
Prison twenty-One per cent. admitted
that they had been incorporate
in the use of intoxicating liquors.
Forty six OF the present convicts were sem
fenced for life, and the average period of con-
inement below life is four years and eight
days. -Four hundred and ninety-ive men
are now working under the contract system
with manufacturers.
Tie receipts during the year were SOL
2G603; the expenditures. sol, 42l. 10, and the
balance on hand S2,S74.54.