The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-07-02
nh PRISONS


rHE Prisons
The objects ef imprisonment Of criminals Is
not public revenue, nor for the ylndictive punish
Of offenders
II Is for the protection OF society and The re
formation u the criminal
HE prison system Of the hinsd0m has many
excellent features. bat Is susceptible Of muca AN
PrUvemeut.
Board Of INSPECTORS De appointed 70 make frequent
examinations Of the prison and its vOrklnEs- to
render stated reports 10 the Minister Of Interior
aud to publish ssuil-auunuauy. or ottener. state
Inents Of the number. and BationaiIties % the
prisoners. together With such other information
as NAV tend to euhghtsu the public upon the sub
isct Of the prsuu and interest them III Its workings
and 70 make I biennial report % the Legislature
with such recogumeuhltlons and Suggestions as
they may deem proper.
We would suggest that the Board Of Inspectors
consist Of the Police Justice OF Honolulu as FL
officio Chairman. and twu other members 10 be
apy,oiuted bv the Minister Of the Interior upon
the nomination Of the Attorney General The
two members Of the Board, thus appointed, to be
selected from sruOug citizens Of Honol14u- who
hold no other Government position % hold ot1ct
for two wears and serve without pay.
The recommendations Of the Board Of Luspec-
1lors, which they may make between the sessions
Of ne Legislature. to be adopted BY the Minister
Of the Interior and Marshal, 50 far as may Be
practicable
the benefit OF the prisoners and the pulllc good,
improved regulations and better influence. which
viii tend 10 improve and elevate them.
There u great cause 70 dsubt the wisdom OF
compelling all classes and grades OF prisoners 70
work alike upon the public works exposed 20 the
public gaze. We vUuld urge that an earnest and
iuteIlieeut effort Be made 10 provide employment
for the prisoners within the prIsu1 walls. he
establishment Of work shops for al Of the pm
eouers NAY entail too large an expense 20 be at
teupted at once; bat an experiment Of some kind
should be made IN this direction
The subject Of prison discipline and prison re-
form orssrl- CD such vide field thai can bare
" touch upon II. But We feel sauguIne that sucl
4 Board Of Inspectors, as herein Suggested, would
be able to render valuable ASSISTANCE 70 the Leg
islature and the Government IN submitting plans
for the Improvement OF the condition OF the pEl-
.oners. and the regulation q the prisons
The State has great responsibilities ~ the mat
ter Of the care Of It's prisoners, which axe not
liEnited merely tc the furnishing them Win guar
ters. food ciothinE medical attendance and VoEA'
and it needs TO summon to its and the best thought
ard advice Of intelligent and pdllanthrupic citl-
rens who viii interest themselves in the SUBJECT
and assist the Government IN solving the Weishiy
problem-
HE Committee visited the Oahu Prison and
exAuined It's coudItiou and Arrangements. Is q
result Of the many matters which attracted on
attention would state that We were nrch IN
pressed with the pressing need Of certain impr1-
vcments-
The acr1muodatious are insaffcisut-tLe crOSt-
ed condition OF the prisOu making . necessary
often 10 piace three prisoners IN a cell ll-Ee =
no suitable place for the occupants % take tGeiE
meals. there being uothInc.but an open shed IL
Sufficient IN SIZE without floor, and having no
table, Of any kind; the zaier-c.usgt arrr ei1tlts
are inadequate and In Eithy condition, and
located II such proximity 10 The elti1g place a.
% be most o5iectiouabls= the bathing fscll1ties
are most primitive and scauty; and other defects
Of similar nature indicate that decided reforIna'
ton i nece@sary-s
That some Of The wants had not been Supplied,
and evils rrmeiaed. seems inaccessible. for these
might have been accomplished With bus trtflur
outlay, while the matter OF larzc cell accoIfnoda'
tons require an appruprl1tlon-
We cannot pass EanJtioed the tzct t1s. sl1ce
th- s7th day Of January lnsf, there has bec1 Nc
responsible Governor Of the Prison IN cnarsc.
VIII the large number Of prisoners cuutded and
he responsibilities involved. this co1dltiau Of
afairs i dEnceru1s-