The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1884-01-10
The State Pcnitentiary.
BIENNIAL REPORT OF MAI T. J. MCorsTCN,
SUPERINTENDENT.

ber of convicts in the Penitentiary
is TIL Of this number, 671 are col
ored males; Is are colored females;
Indian male, and "a are white males,
81 are sentenced for life, and IS fol
longer periods than 10 years.
In 1882, 408 were received by
commitment, and IL by recapture.
and in 1883, 293 were received by
commitment and Is by recapture.
The number discharged in 1882
was 2l9, and in 1883, l44; 351 were
colored males and females, and IL
were white males.
The nationalities. States, counties,
and crimes of the convicts are emu
merated. 1t will be seen that good
many foreign Dationalities and States,
nearly every county in the State, and
most of the crimes in the calender
are represented.
The names of those that have died
and escaped are given; also the
names Of those convicts who have
been pardoped by the Governor and
released by order of the courts after
their commitment to the Penitentia,
ry.
The buildings within the walls are
in fair good condition. The walls
are also in fairly good condition.
except the western wall, which was
torn down and new one contracted
for by my predecessor, Hon. Marion
Smith, under the administration of
Gov. Stone. This is partially finish
ed, perhaps half done, with material
on hand for completion, and in pro
cess of construction.
General good order and discipline
have been maintained within tie
walls. The rules for the government
of the Institution are enforced with
firmness, but with a consideration
consistent with law and humanity.
The treatment of the inmates has
been kind and humane. Great at
tention is paid to cleanliness, and the
convicts are furnished with comfort
able clothing, and are required to
bathe their persons and change their
apparel regularly. The halls and
prison cells, and the ipclosure with
in the walls, are whitewashed, disin>
fected and cleanse3 regularly, for the
promotion of comfort and health. A
hospital is provided for the sick and
afh cted, with nurses and medicines,
and skillful physician who visits
daily the Institution. The health of
the inmates kept constantly within
the walls, has been comparatively
good. 1t is from the Railroad camps
of Sub Lessees, where the greatest
amount of sickness comes; their sick
and disabled are returned to the
prison for attention and treatment.
More hardships are experienced, and
greater fatality has existed on rail
roads, than on plantations. Atten-
ton is given to the preparation and
cooking of the food. which is whole,
some and substantial, consisting OF
corn and -four bread, fresh beef
bacon, rice, coffee, molasses, and a
great variety of vegerable, cultivated
in the gardens connected with the
institution.
The labor of the inmates is en-
ployed in different capacities. to-wit:
In the carpenter, blacksmith, shoe,
paint, and wagon shops, and are
taught the different trades.
Divine service is conducted ou the
Sabbath day by Rev. G. b. Galloway,
assisted by number of ladies and
gentlemen, and much zeal and inter-
est is manifested by them in this
praiseworthy undertaking.
The health and general condition of
the convicts employed on plantations
has been as good as usual for the past
two years, according to the monthly
report received from those to whom
they are sub-leased.
The convicts employed outside the
walls are in possession of Hoskins &
Hamilton, J. w. Hoskins, Wesson &
Persons, Lincoln county; r. Burdett,
J. L Hebron, G. H. Smith, Gay &
Gwin, ]. P. Withers, Allen, West &
Bush, Washington county; j. S.
Richardson, w. L. & r. j, Nugent,
w. F. Randolph, Bolivar county; L.
& H. N. War6eld, B. S. Kicks,
Holmes county; Hamilton, Sage s
Co., Franklin county; w. H Noble,
Bolivar county; j. M. Allen, Lee
county; Townsend g. Hemingway,
Coahoma county.
The contract of Hamilton, Allen &
Co., with the State is hereby annexed.
The amount due the State under the
contract is $39,420. The amount of
repairs and improvements contracted
for by me and approved by your Ex-
cellency is IS, ,475,55, leaving balance
unexpended of 1894 33. This
amount has been paid into the State
Treasury by the Lessees, to the credit
of the Penitentlary improvement
fund. The repairs and improvements
done we're necessary for the protec-
tion of the property and the comfort
of the inmates.
By an act of the Legislature of
1882, it was made the duty OF county
supervisors to visit convict camps
monthly, wherever they might be
employed in their respective counties,
and to inspect the same and to report
any treatment contrary to law to the
Grand Juries. l have had no means
of knowing how faithfully this service
has been performed, ae.t
The Lessees, Messrs. Hamilton,
Allen & Co., endeavor, as far as is
within their power, to protect the
convicts from harsh treatment. The
States representative, tho Superin-
tendent, should be vested with some
authority requiring him to visit and
inspect the camps, to enforce the pre-
paration Of comfortable qua. ters, and