The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-10

L
commodating four hundred prisoners.
| They were erected entirely by our own
| labor. under the direction of one of the
guards from this institution. Mr. Haney)
| who was indefatigable in carrying out
my plans and directions Built as they
were, I can only approximate their
| cost which will not exceed. however, the
| sum of s2,603.7s. Perhaps the most i'm
portant Improvement is yet to be con-
structed and the one which In my judy
! ment should be most commodious and
substantial. / refer to the barn. Whether
the State retains or wishes to sell this
property. when II has been brought up
| to the highest state of cultivation by
| our abundant labor. a good barn would
be an advantage. In fact 1t is indispen-
| sable to successful farming and care OF
the products.
The remainder OF the $2500o. which we
were under the act. permitted to use OF
the earnings Of the institution. will be
ample for the purpose.
/ HEALTH or THE PLACE.
Our experience so far would Indicate
| that we have been most fortunate In
| locating in a healthy section. We have
| had but little sickness and one death.
which was an incurable carried from
here
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR.
The operations for the year. | am
sorry TO say, have not been satsfac-
tory. a cold winter, A backward spring,
and a disastrous drought in the summer
and fall, have combined 10 make the past
season one of the very worst for many
years; consequently. the returns upon
ali late stuff have been very poor. A
large acreage was planted in cabbage.
potatoes tomatoes, kaIe, navy-beans
black peas, tobacco, corn, etc, and con-
siderable returns were made, furnishing
this institution for while with all the
vegetables, etc, needed, as we'll as sup
plying the 30 and more prisoners and
guards on the farm with an abundance.
The 2eO acres planted In corn was upon
the lowland and made yield OF about
six barrels per acre. me tobacco crcp
was planted upon rented land The
frost caught part OF it. leaving us. per-
haps, 5000 pounds to our share. Much
has been done In cleaning up and i'm
proving the farm. Two wells have been
sunk inside the stuckade. affording an
abundant supply of fine water for all
purposes. Roads have been made ana
macadamized 10 some extent. Beaver
Dam creek-banks have been cleared up.
the dykes repaired and strengthened, and
the bed somewhat improved. a tenn
creek, which WI be replaced by one
more substantial The old barn has
been rooted. a Lighthouse erected, re-
pairs upon the main barn made. bake
oven. cauldrons for cooking, washing, and
canning have all been put up. The
open bitches have been cleaned out
some blind ditching put in. and the APP
pesrance Of the farm greatly improved
Notwithstanding all the difficulties
that have presented themselves this year
am still confident that with better man
agement and better seasons In the fu-
ture We will accomplish ala that we
hoped for in the establishment OF this
enterprise.
EMPLOYMENT OF PRISONERS.
How TO employ our prison population
is now one OF the vexed problems of the
day, and is being discussed by those
who have the good Of the prisoners at
heart as well as the interest of the
taxpayer and community.
That he should be employed for his
own good does not admit OF argument;
that his labor should be productive Is.
TO my mind, equally clear; that II should
be done with the least risk tC the state
in business ventures cannot be contra
dicted; that the convict is entitled 10
fair treatment, TO be properly fed and
strength, is equally true. l claim for our
present system-that 49, Of working our
prisoners inside our walls, upon the con-
tract plan-where they are at ,all times
under the supervision and control or
the State officers, where their tasks are
fixed and regulated by the superintend-
ent. and the discipline Is wholly under
his control. .and every opportunity ana
effort made for the reformatio OF the
d
punishment for crime, recognizes as hui
man beings. entitled to such considera-
ton as their labor. good conduct while
in prison, and efforts at reformation may
merit, many advantages.
The institution receives by this plan
a regular cash income that Is not depend
ent upon fluctuations or the markets. as
would be the case We're we manufacture
ing upon State account.
Nor does IL require capital, the en-
plovment Of which ! always attended
with risk, or expert men, with large sala-
ries. TO purchase supplies and dispose
of the products.
This system has brought this institu-
ton up from an annual expense OF over
$4,000 to producing a clear net revenue
of s51cOO the past fiscal year, which
makes a net gain TO the State OF $1,000
over the former plan and management.
our contractors are men OF energy anu
nerve. and have faithfully executed the
provisions of their contracts. notwlth-
standing the difficulties which have con-
fronted business men upon every side
for the past two years. our contracts
run for a long period OF time, and with
no adverse or unwise legislation 10 de-
strov our industries, we may consider
the institution upon a solid business
basis. -
II is doubtful. indeed, whether there is
another institution of like character IN
the United States whose finances are III
such a favorable condition.
The wisdom OF thus using our prisoners
is more and more apparent. In connection
win our farm enterprise. which should.
under favorable seasons ana good man
aqement. feed TO large extent our en-
tire prison population
This institution should return 10 the
treasury OF the state large part OF the
EXPENSES OF conyicting and sending our
criminals here.
THE LAWS.
The law. as amended by the last Legs
lature. for the government Of this insti-
tuition. has IN the main proved satisfac-
tory. | have had everything pertaining
10 the penltrntiary codiied and VIII
have them printed in pamphlet form for
our convenience.
DISCIPLINE.
The discipline OF the institution has
never been better. No serious trouble has
occurred. Notwithstanding the fact that
our male prisoners have TO be confined
on the congregate plan, a majority OF the
breaches Of discipline Is due 10 crOWding