The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-07-22

thrown upon the fire. There has
been some loss of life, but FORUM
ately not very great. The remain
der of the report is mostly made up
of minutes regarding requirements
for the department of minor inter
est to the public.
The report of the Marshal, upon
prisons shows that the Oahu Prison
has received LIZ inmates during
the period other prisons on the
other islands have received LIS.
There were in prison March 31st
ll9 persons, Is of whom were
awaiting trial, the other unde-
going sentence. There are 50 Ha-
waiIans, SO Chinese, 5 Japanese
and other foreigners Is. The
largest number imprisoned at any
one time was PIG which followed
the riot of last year. The support
of prisoners in Oahu Jail, including
the cost of guards, ETC., has been
over $4,000, which has cost the
community therefore something
over forty-six cents day. There
have been ten deaths, six from
natural causes, one suicide and
three executions. The latter were
all for murder. Of FIVE escapes
three are still at large. The re-
ports from the other islands midi
cate that Oahu covers about one
half of statistics in whatever way
they come. DR.. Rodgers report
upon prisons is interesting and
contains valuable statistical matter.
1t says that many of the Chinese
prisoners upon Imprisonment were
in state of low vitality, most of
which appears to be due to the use
of opium. Of the others the use of
liquor appears to have been the
cause of the more or less impaired
constitution of nearly all. A few
are such physical wrecks that the
prison merely affords an asylum
where they are cared for at public
expense. Attention is called to
the fact that our prisons are
not graded. The murderer, and
one serving out a trivial fine for
some small otfense. and all grades
between. are confined together.
The defective construction of the
Oahu Prison is to blame for this
state of affairs on this island and it
appears that this prison. while
kept scrupulously clean and neat
and under good discipline is yet
very Objectionable indeed on
account of lack of ventilation aud
bad sewerage. 1t appears that in
the performance of sentences for
hard labor some have received in
juries, more or less severe none,
however fatal. The Marshal's re
port also shows that there has
been considerable Improvement
throughout the country with re-
gard to the construction and man.
agement of what are called lock-
ups. For the support of prisons
throughout the Kingdom during
the coming period the sum of
$4,000 is asked and $4,000 is
asked for repairs and improve
mepts. The cash receipts and
expenditures make "a curious
showing. The Oahu Prison
shows receipts of S4,168 with an
expenditure of over $4,000. For
Hawaii similar showing is made
but for Kauai the receipts appear
to be over $4,000 while the expen-
diture has been something over
$4,000, showing that the manage
ment has made that prison self
supporting and indeed profitable to
the community. The work that
has been done by the prisoners on
the Island of Oahu has amounted
to 81, 813 days of which over 40, 600
has been upon roads, something
over 5000 upon the dredge. for the
Board of Health over 400 days
work. The total expense for the
maintenance of prisoners appears
to have been something over SIS
per annum a piece. On Hawaii
for some reason no charge has
been made for over 1900 days
work reported by the sheriff to |
The Board OF Prison Inspectors
makes a report which is very valu- |
able for the suggestions it contains |
for the future. Among others it is
suggested that $500 be provided |
for the use of the Board in assist |
ing discharged prisoners. Also |
that the woman's ward in the Oahu |
Prison be isolated from the mems.
The rules which are published are |
Indicative of both intelligence and |
humanity on their part. They are |
minute and specific with regard to |
prison discipline and the duties of |
all persons connected with the |
re 1a-of,,lI, T. Il