The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-10


cell accommodations new kitchen, new
hospital and a new laundry.
REPORT OF THE BOARD.
me report OF the Board OF Directors r.
- follows:
Commonwealth Of Virginia.
Oacc Board Of Directors, Virginia Peni-
Tertiary:
10 ms Excenency Charles T oFerrall,
Governor OF Virginia.
sir.--We transmit herewith the annual
reports Of the Superintendent and the Sur
geon Of the Penltentiary. with the accom-
panying tables.
The net gain Of tho years operations az
tire Penitentary is 35S.65475, and after de-
quoting the balance 20 the debit Of the
farm. there remains a net balance Of pro-
nj Tor the year Of Ss,lSi.3L
RMS Is not only the largest profit ever
yielded by this Peniteatiery. but we know
OF no other prison in this country that
makes 20 good q financial showing. These
ngures are the result Of advantageous
contracts that the State has entered into
with contractors (whO do all their work
within the walls and under the eyes OF our
own ohicers). and the most painstaking.
economy in purchasing the supplies Of the
institution. We think our system for the
employment Of convicts far more humane
snr vastly more beneficial 20 the State
then any other our State has ever tried.
Or that we know 10 be in Operation In
other prisons OF this country.
our tabulatcd statements show that the
farm mas been operated during the fiscal
year al an apparent loss OF A450.ll. But
10 should be remembered that IN accord
ance with tho purpose for which the farm
was purchased, we have sent there three
hundred men for whom we have no work
mere. Not many more than half Of these
prisoners are able bodied men and a large
number OF the rest are either habitles Of
the hospital. or have to be kept upon hos
piial diet all the time Had these three
hundred men. sick and well. been retained
in the Penitentiary (where we had no
work for thcm their maintenance here
would nave cost ms $50 per capita per an
mum. whereas at the farm they have cost
Us above their earnings only SIS per capita
per annum This saving of itself iustihes
the states investment in the farm. But
this IS not all; the farm not only relieves
the fnghtmliy c0ngested condition OF our
hospital and cell-building. but is used as
a santarium for convicts who are seri-
ously diseased.
THE FARM a BENEFIT.
g,must. therefore. regard the farm as
beneficial 10 our entire prison population
is well as TO the public treasury. We re-
ann end that additional farm land be
leazli or purchased and that such other
build rgs as may DE needed there be
erected from time TO time.
So long as the present contracts are in
force chat o. 10 say, until 1906 we shall
be compelled 10 keep about 1900 men
within the penitenuary walls OF this
population the farm cannot relieve ms.
And yet we have only 1870 cells for these
e0o men. The consequence is that these
prisoners are crowded together 10 "a de-
gree that calls for speedy relief There
is but one course open 90 us. and this IS
20 secure a large increase Of cell room.
HOW this may be best done, keeping IN
view Che financial condition Of Virginia
and the limitations OF the present peni-
tortiarv site. has been with us the sub
feet OF much thought. We have arrived
40 the conclusion that a new cell build
ing should be erected on the ground be-
tween our trent wall and Spring street.
also. that where the present administra-
ton buildings stands we should make
provision for other needed buildings. our
plans are as yet I'm formative stage, but
we hope 10 have them complete by the
time Of the meeting Of the General As
sembly. u may then also be I'm our
power 20 make some suggestion Of value
rneuts may be borne by the state without
inconveniencing its treasury. For the
present permit MS 10 say, in view Of the
money-making institution that the peul-
Tertiary has become. We cannot see how
our State can avoid the obligation that
n IS under 10 give decent cells and plenty
of breathing room 20 the men by whose
labor the public treasury has become so
large a beneficiary.
Such OF the food products Of the farm
as arc suitable TO our needs we bring 10
the penltentiary and add 20 our com
missary stores For all OF these the
farm Is credited az current prices. Our
other supplies are purchased at compet-
tive hiddings. and we not only give the
prisoners such food as the law pre-
scribes. but more and better. However
n we had better kitchen we could GER
tainiy cook the food better our kitchen
IL IN n dark little cellar and is much too
small and antiquated for the Increased
needs Of orr institution. We are also IN
pressing need Of more hospital room. Of
tentimos our convalesconts are huddled
together ia a ward with dying men IN
way which is very she cking. We shall
include a plan for a new hospital as
well as for a new laundry In the scheme
for other improvements that We are now
VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS.
A number OF states have adopted the
parole or conditional pardon system. and
n Is said 20 be working well. We are
satisfied that the time has come when
Virginia. TOO, may probably put such a
law into erect. BY this means men and
women who have made good records for
themselves In prison. and who have the
prospect OF employment II released. may
be paroled after serving certain por-
ton Of their sentence Thus they would
have a stimulus and an opportunity not
now afforded them Of regaining the good
opinion Of the public. and at the same
time the penitcntiary would be relieved
Of a considerable number Of It's present
population.
The law passed by the General AS
sembly az It's last session requiring the
Superintendent 20 send 20 the several
counties and cities of the State for all
persons sentenced TO confinement In this
institution has resulted In a saving TO the
State Of about 9. eco per annum. Il was
passed as a measure OF economy. and the
statistics establish the fact that IL has
had the desired result.
In the opinion OF this Board the public
treasury and not this institution should
be taxed with these charges Our obli-
cation should not begin until the prisoner
IS within our walls and should cease when
our gates are opened for him 20 go out.
record has been kept In accordance