The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-01-01

effective sanitation. The disease which
causes the most trouble at the prison
and which, owing to indoor conditions
and climatic influences, is difficult to
combat, is tuberculosis. Upon their adj
mission to the institution not few con-
victs are either victims of pulmonary
affection or else are in condition that
renders them peculiarly susceptible to
it,"
The directors report that the revenue
derived from the two productive indus
tries conducted at the prison amounted
to S42, 967,S4, an increase of 50, 1869 over
the previous year. Farming operations
are extended by the lease of seventeen
acres of land, on which crop of vege-
tables for prison consumption are rails
ed. The only change in the directorate
during the year was the appointment of
Willie O. Burr of Hartford to succeed
Colonel Norris G. Osborn of New Ha-
ven term expired.
THE WARDEN'S REPORT.
Warden Woodbridge, IN his annual re-
port, discusses in detail operations of
the prison during the year. On analy-
zing the prison population he shows
that during the year 221 prisoners, of
whom nine were women, were admitted.
The number discharged was 100. The
total number in confinement in the
course of the year was COG. The annual
average increase in the number of COM
mitments during the past four years
has been 1874.
The warden dwells at length on the
sickness, mortality and insanity at the
prison. He shows that there has been
a steady betterment in the health of
the institution, as the result of the sani-
tary measures that have been applied
during recent years. The death rate per
1000 of average population of last year
| was 11.56, which is the lowest for many
years. The number of prisoners official
| ly declared insane and transferred eth
er to the state hospital for the insane at
| Middletown or to the government hos
| pital for the insane at Washington, was
| nine, as against eighteen for 1896 and
twenty-five for 1896
| The warden discusses the grading
| system at length, and lays stress on the
| benefit which it has been to the institu-
ton. The average number of men in
the first (highest) grade during the year
was 80 65-100, and the total number of
convicts promoted to that grade was
| 46. The conduct of the first grade pris-
oners is described as having been Eek
amplary in every way" with the excep-
ton of four, who We're reduced to the
second grade. The average cost per
capita per day to feed the first grade
| prisoners was 1919 cents, while the av-
erage daily cost per capita for the sec
ond and third grade convicts was Sc
| cents. From time to time during the
| year additions were made to the prison
/ fare,
1 The report enters into a consideration
of the years punishment record. Dur
| ing the tWelvemonth forty-three differ
ent prisoners We're punished for some
infractions Of the rules, against forty
seven the previous year and sixty-nine
in 1896 The total number Of punish
ments inflicted during the past three
years is given as follows: For 1897, 10;
for 1885, SO; for 1895, ia The warden be-
lieves that the grading system has
! greatly 1essened the OCCASION for inflict-
ing punishments.
The warden reports that the wiring
of the institution for the Introduction of
electric lighting is progressing rapidly.
He argues that the introduction of cleo
| tricity will not only be a sanitary meas
| ure, but also that it will give the Off
| GERS complete control of the lighting
and prevent the repetition of such a sui
eide as was committed by convict Long,
who saturated his bed clothing with
kerosene and set ii on fire
The report contains various statistical
and financial tables The reports of the
prison physician and Of the Protestant
and Roman Catholic chaplains will al
so be submitted to the governor.