The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-01-06
Average daily

1881 .................. 45z
1898 ........ ................4 49,
The following figures shows steady
increase in the number of convicts, and
with the exception of single year the
annual enlargement has been consider
able. The average daily population of
the institution was over 81 per cent
larger in 1898 than in 1894.
The logic of these facts appears to be
irresistible. In view of the coneested
condition which has existed for at least
two years, and in view of the growing
population of the state, the directors
are convinced that measures for the
substantial and systematic enlargement
of the prison plant should be promptly
undertaken. Plans and specifications
providing for the immediate and antici-
pated needs of the institution will be
submitted to the incoming general as
sembly.
The general health of the prisoners
was satisfactory throughout the year.
Ten Deaths which is the equivalent Of
1873 per 1000 population, occurred. Most
of them were chronic cases. With the
exception of the abnormally small NOR
tally of 1897 the death rate during the
past tWelvemonth was substantially
less than at any period within twelve
years. This gratifying condition, the
directors believe, is due to the system
attic measures which have been adopted
during the past few years to improve
the sanitation of the institution. At
the time of their admission to the in
stitution only meager minority of the
convicts are physically sound, This
fact, supplemented by the marshy and
malarial surroundings of the insttu-
ton, justifes special attention to the
health of the health of the inmates, and
the gradually reduced mortality rate
indicates the general eectfveness of the
eorts which have been exerted to amend
the sanitary conditions. Pulmonary
tuberculosis continues to be most per-
sistent and deadly disease, but various
measures, some of which are the con-
centration of incipient cases and the
isolation in a special ward Of the aggra-
waited cases, are taken to check the
spread Of the malady. The equipment
of the institution with electric lighting
facilities, thus preventing the Vitiation
of the atmosphere by large number |
of kerosene lamps, is alike an expedient |
in sanitation and ceasure Of progress |
sive management. Owing to the growth |
of the population of the prison and to |
the erection of an insane ward, it was |
deemed advisable in March to appoint |
a resident physician. The results have
been wholly satisfactory.
The continuance of the grading ar
rangement which was instituted two .
years ago and under which prisoners
are, so far as practicable, classified in
accordance with their conduct, produces
beneficial results, and the system not
only tends to promote discipline and
shorten the punishment record, but,
through the encouragement to sustain
ed good behavior it is to some extent a
reformative agency. During the year 6S
convicts were promoted to the first
grade and 81 were temporarily reduced
to the third grade. The number of Of
Tenders punished showed a marked de-
crease over previous years. Since the
parole law was enacted bv the last gen
eral assembly convicts have been con-
ditionally liberated by the state board
of pardons. So far as known they have
all complied with the conditions of their
release and are displaying the quail
ties of good citizenship. The publication
of the Monthly Record by the prison
ers, under the supervision of the chap
lain, is greatly appreciated by the in
mates The evening school for illiterate
convicts and the fortnightly meetings
of the literary and debating society in
the first grade have been continued
An unpleasant event occurred at the ]
prison in the discovery of irregularities 1
in the accounts of H. Kirk Woodbridge,
who for five years had been clerk of the
He was discharged from the
sexyisf Of the state on July /. A few |