Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-10

| ndndS or the Governor yesterday.
These papers will prove highly in
teresting, as they review the most pros
porous year in the history of the peni-
tentiary. tell OF the excellent results ac-
complished at the State farm. and recon-
mend needed improvements and reform
legislation.
The report Of the Board of Directors is
as follows:
Commonwealth Of Virginia,
Office Board of Directors,
Virginia Penitentlary.
| To His Excellency, Charles T. O'Ferrall,
| Governor Of Virginia:
| Sir.-We transmit herewith the annual
| reports of the Superintendent and Sur
| geon of the penitentiary with accom-
| panying tables
The net gain OF the years operations at
! the yenitentiary is $5S.G3i.75. and after de-
| ducting the balance TO the debit OF the
| farm, there remains a net balance OF
/ profit for the year of SJ4. .1Sf.34 This is
] not only the largest profit ever yielded by
! this penitentary, but We know OF 10
| other prison In this country tnat makes so
| good a financial showing. These figures
| are the result of advantageous contracts
| that the State has entered into with con-
| tractors (who do all their work within
| the prison walls, and under the eyes of
our own officers), and the most pains
| taking economy in purchasing the sup
| plies OF the institution.
We think our system for the employ
ment of cOnvictS far more humane and
vastly more beneficial to the State than
| any other our State has ever tried, or
| that we know to be in operation in other
| prisons Of this country.
our tabulated statements show that the
| farm has been operated during tho fiscal
| year at an apparent loss OF Si,4oOll But
| ii should be remembered mat vi accord
| ance with the purpose for which the farm
| was purchased we have sent there 800
| men for whom we had no work here.
| Not many more than half of these prison
| ers are able-bodied men, and large num-
| ber of the rest are either habitues OF the
| hospital, or have TO be kept upon hospital
| diet all the time.
THE FARM a SANITARIUM.
Had these 800 men, sick and well. been
| retained in the penitentary (where we
| had no work for them their maintenance
| here would have cost us Sj6 per capita
| per annum, whereas at the farm they
| have cost us above their earnings only
| SIS per capita per annum. This saving
of itself iustifies the States investment
| in the farm. But this is not all; the
farm not only relieves the fri6htfully con-
gested condition of our hospital and cell
building. but is used as a sanitarium Tor
cOnVicts who are seriously diseased. we
| must, therefore. regard the farm as bene-
fetal to our entire prison population as
well as to the public treasury. We recon-
mend that additional farm land be leased
or purchased, and that such other build
ngs as may be needed there be erected
from time to time So long as the present
contracts are in force chat is TO say. un-
I'll l9O6) we shall be compelled TO keep
about 1000 men within the penltentiary
walls. OF this population the farm can
not relieve us. And yet we have only
1870 cells for these 1900 men. The conse-
quence Is that these prisoners are crowd
ed together TO a degree that calls for
speedy relief. Thre is but on course open
to us, and his is to secure a large in
Of col nm ha
best done. keeping in view the financial
condition of Virginia and the limitations
of the present penitentiary site, has been
with us the subject of much thought.
NEED NEW CELL BUILDING.
We have arrived at the conclusion that
a new cell building should be erected on
the ground between our front wall and
Spring street; also, that where the pres
ent administration building stands VIC
should make provision for other needed
formative stage, but we hope TO have
them complete by the time of the meet
ing of the General Assembly. 1t may
then also be in our power 10 make some
suggestion of value as 10 how the cost
OF these Improvements may be borne by
the State without inconveniencing its
treasury. For the present permit us to
say, in view of the money-making Insti-
tuition that the penitentiary has become.
we cannot see how our State can avoid
the obligation that it is under to give
decent cells ana plenty OF DTedlDlnS room
TO the men by whose labor the public
treasury has become so large a beneh-
ciary.
Such of the food products of the farm
as are suitable to our needs we bring to
the penitentiary, and add to our COM
missary stores. For all of these the 1arm
is credited at current prices. Our other
supplies are purchased at competitive
biddings, and we not only give the prison.
ers such food as the law prescribes, but
more and better. However. If we had
better kitchen we could certainly cook the
food better. Our kitchen is in a dark.
little cellar and is much too small and
antiquated for the increased needs of our
institution. We are also in pressing need
of more hospital room: Oftentimes our
convalescents are huddled together i'm a
ward with dying men in a way which
Is very shocking. We shall include plan
for new hospital as well as for q new
laundry in the scheme of improvements
that we are now engaged i'm developing.
THE CONDITIONAL PARDON SYSTEM
A number of States have adopted the
parole or conditional pardon system, aud
1t is said TO be working well. We are
satisfied that the time has come when
Virginia, too, may proftably put such a
women who have made good records for
themselves in prison. and who have the
prospect of employment, If released. may
be paroled after serving a certain part of
their sentence. Thus they would have a
stimulus and an opportunity not now af-
forded them of regaining the good opin-
ion of the public, and at the same tiIne
the penitentiary would be relieved of a
considerable number of its present popu-
lation.
The law passed by the General Assem-
bly, at it's last session requiring the Su-
perntendent TO send to the several cOun-
ties and cities of the State for all per-
sons sentenced to confinement in this in
stitution has resulted to the saving of the
State of about S. $50 per annum. Ii was
gaI &c paln nC4apa of a.
statistics establish the fact that it 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 obliga-
tion should not begin until the prisoner
Is within our walls. and should cease
when our gates are opened for him to go
out
A record has been kept in accordance
with the law passed AT the last session of
the General Assembly OF all punishment
irdicted on the convicts and submitted
at stated times TO the inspection of the
board and they have no reason to believe
that excessive or undeserved punishment
has been administered i'm any case.
In conclusion, we commend the Su-
Derintendent, Surgeon, officers, and guards
for faithful and efficient discharge of
their duties. Respectfully submitted.
+. n. GLASGOW.
w. ID. CHESTERMAN,
w. s. GUNN
Directors.
superintendent Lynn's Report.
The report of Superintendent Lynn
covers the years operations more In de-