Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-10
A PRISONS PROFITS.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

w A0It 5tIk(tkJ 0l>ViA OAHt4tEH3 tt3@~rf 49,
ing always in sight, however, the Inn
provsment of the convicts condition.
have. therefore. endeavored to keep all
able bodied persons employed under care
full and humane regulations, as will APP
pear from the fact that during the hscai
year the convists have made for them
selves. after performing the task axed by
the Superintendent, overwork. when II
was needed by the company, In one
month s2.175, and in the twelve months OF
the fiscal year si4.232-o5. as shown In
statement No. 8. The work at the farm
Is necessarily light. on account or the
large number employed there.
STRICT DISCIPLINE NECESSARY.
II must be borne in mind that In an insti-
tuition OF this kind. where there are near
ly seventeen hundred persons conhneu.
nearly all OF whom are men, and many OK
them desperate and vicious, a strict DIS
cipline must be enforced. 1t has been my
endeavor to do this in firm but kind
manner.
The laws of the State very properly
allow large discretion to the Superintend-
ent. have used this authority with the
greatest care possible. Each case is tried
and settled upon its own merits. The pun
ishmsnt is certain, though not necessarily
severe, for wilful violation OF the rules.
For II is the certainty, rather than the
punishment. As an evidence OF the fine
discipline in the prison and shops, the
inspector Of the insurance company, after
careful survey, was able. to take the
risk of the shoe company here Tor less
than one fourth the same company
charged I'm Sing Sing. We owe 1t to the
fact that our discipline Is so well pre-
served that we are able TO retain the
business and valuable contract Of the shoe
company.
Notwithstanding the crowded condition
of our cells no serious trouble has occur
red during the year.
DISCIPLINE AT THE FARM.
The discipline at the farm has been
well maintained. A small mutiny occur
red In the early spring with squad OF
prisoners at the tobacco-plant beds across
the river. Some twenty-five prisoners
were engaged in wedding the plants, in
charge OF three guards, Ii being in tne
woods. One Of the prisoners, Riddick
Christmas, approached guard to make a
request. When near enough he squrted
tobacco juice in the guards eyes ana
seized his gun. In the struggle Of the
guard to retain his gun he was thrown
TO the ground. The prisoner, with seyerai
others, started to run, was fired upon by
the guards. Two loads took effect on
Christmas, bringing him down, and wound
ing him. Blood-poisOn set In, and he dled
a month later. One prisoner only, James
Mallory, escaped. The prompt action OF
convicts (Which i commended them forl
had a wholesome effect, and there has
been no further characterization.
Our experience very clearly demon
strates that II Is practical TO work pri-
soners on the farm.
REFORMATION OF PRISONERS.
The chief object in view should be the
reformation OF the prisoner, 80 That ut the
conclusion of his term OF sentence ne
may go back 10 the community wiser
and better man, II that can be erected
but, at any rate, warned that he cannot
indulge in crime without mourning pun
ishment. The good there is in prisoner
ought to be developed and encouraged, but
there are men and women who are dear
to reason, and have to be taught fear OF
the law If they will not respect II.
1t is generally conceded that The moral
reformation of the unfortunate vlolat0r
of the law should be the first object TO
be considered, and no punishment should
ever be inflicted without bearing this in
mind The question Is a broad one, ana
open TO a wide field Of discussion. II bears
not only upon the correction of the law
less. but embraces the wide field of pre-
venton OF crimes. The convict goes out
a better or worse man. as the case may
be; his example and influence arc bench
comes a good citizen or q renewed VIOLA
tor of law. This question OF reform
reaches very far and embraces the philo-
sophy OF jurisprudence, the needs Of edu-
cation. the influence Of religion, the
science of psychology, the study of ply
siology, and. In fact, every branch OF
knowledge that enables us TO know and
to influence men. The dormant good that
lies in every man should be brought out.
Our laws should be amended, so as 10
give a wide scope to this question OF re-
form. Virginia should keep abreast OF
the march Of prison reform, and hearth
ly recommend such legislation on the sub
feet az your experience may suggest, and
the Legislature see Mt to enact.
ESCAPES ARE RARE.
We have been fortunate in having no
escapes from the building during the year.
In fact. we have lost but two during my
administration, and both Of them were
found and returned. There have been
eight escapes from the farm; some or
them were TRUSTEES. and 1t Is not sur
prising that some would get away. Eight
escaped from Joseph r. Anderson's,
where q number have been employed for
four years. One escaped from the public
roads i'm Henry county, where twenty-five
men have been employed since July 1. 1897.
OF 545 prisoners brought In during the
year, but one escaped from the guard,
and he was recaptured the same day.
Out of the seventeen escapes, seven nave
been recaotured.
TRANSPORTATION OF CONVICTS.
An act approved January 80 1895, re-
quired the Superintendent 10 send Tor
convlcts, and an additional act, approved
March A. 1886, required him TO keep a
strict account OF all expenditures incur
red and to make an itemiZed report OF
same. The execution of this law imposes
great deal of labor and responsibility
upon the Superintendent, for which he
does not get penny, but am gratined
TO be able to show an itemized account,
as found in statement No. Z, very
material saving for the fiscal year.
The Auditors report shows for the
year ending September 30, 1895, that IL
cost sl2,7SO.0A and for this fiscal year.
under the new law. S,slS.4o-a saving OF
s696l.62.
Since my last report a new barn has
been completed, at a total cost Of about
% 500. and Is most substantial and COM
plete. A six-room cottage for the steward
has also been completed.
A large amount OF ditchtng and UNDER
draining has been done, and many OF the
farm roads macadamized. A large orchard
of varied fruit-trees has been set out,
besides many ornamental trees have been
planted.
PENITENTIARY IMPROVEMENTS.
During the year the old walkway on
the outer wall having become unsafe, has
been removed and a new walkway, with
substantial railing. has been put in place
OF IL at a cost Of s21.N Three thousand,
nine hundred eleven and a half feet OF
sranolithic pavement has been put down
IN the court of the prison at cost or
s4SsS So and many other improvements to
the buildings and grounds.
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.
Although I have previously called the
attention Of your honorable board TO the
great need OF new cell building Tor our
male prisoners, yet as nothing has been
done. / feel that / ought to again urge
upon you this important matter.
Acting upon some suggestions or the
Committee on Prisons and Asylums OF
the last Legislature that plan and an
estimate cost or the improvement neeoea
be prepared for the consideration or the