Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-01-14
COST
STATE OVER $1,000
FOR EACH VICTIM
Prison Report Bares Remarkable
Expenditures, as Well as Show
ing OyercrOwded Conditions.
Especial to tic Newark star

TRENTON, Jan. lin the annual
report of managers of the State Prison
Head Keeper George @. Osborne again
calls attention to the crowded condi-
tion of the women's wing at the prison,
showing that during the year there
nave been as high as so women M this
wing, which has accommodations for
%. He adds that this condition is not
conducive to good discipline and health.
but that tho management of the depart
ment has been better than might be
expected under the circumstances. He
says h a it i~specessary that this latter
have Immediate attention as the prison
population is on the increase and in a
short while it. will be absolutely I'M
possible to care for more women pri-
soners He shows that discipline and
health throughout the prison during
the year has been good.
In 1903, 5s5 prisoners were received
n GA discharged, leaving October 81
a population of 1873, made up of 1 1893
males and 40 females. OF the total
number of conyicts there are 1853 unable
to work or awaiting assignment to
work. The ~convicts' fund held In trust
OSPNA diliOlIllo W u 90, 3Of.fl,
mere was paid during the year to dis
charged prisoners $685. 20.
The total expenditures for all ,ur.
poses during the year at the prison
ssns S2~6s-95S.e6, Of which amount ST.
o2s'7s, was necessary to carry out the
six sentences of the year to death by
ele~ctrocution.
There was returned to the State dur
ing the year sos, 1850. 30, making the net
cost 1854, 1884, TIL cost per capita per
annum is $117.9S and per diem s3,2S2.
n amount received for contract labor
during the year, the sum turned back
to the State representing ian increase
over 1908 of. So, 164.s 80.
Urges Pension system.
The managers suggest some provision
be made for the pensioning of men who
nave long and faithfully served the
state, but who are incapacitated by
reason of advanced years for the exact
ing character of work required of them.
In the prison. There is no law for
pensioning them now and the inspec.
tors believe that discipline and proper
management of the institution are seri-
ously impaired by existing conditions.
In his annual report, Supervisor Sam
uel w. Kirkbride suggests an appro-
priation for the construction of a build
ing on the grounds opposite the prison,
to be used as a reformatory for women.
and to be under the management of the
present prison authorities. This would
result. he saws. in the saving of addi-
tional cost for officers and at the same
time enable the authorities to construct
n dininp nr MACS hall IN 4La l-;Ia;--
now occupied by the female wing, which
would result in a large saving in the
cost of subsistence OF The prisoners.
Mr.. kirkbride finds fault with the pres-
ent law. which prohibits the expendi-
ture of State funds exceeding 81, 900
without advertising for bids for repair
work or new buildings. He thinks this
should be amended SO that where alter
atoms n repairs are necessary au-
thorlzation of the work could be left
with the managing authorities as st is
impossible in many instances to avoid
embarrassment with restrictions re-
CURED as to limitation of these expendi-
lures" He adds that he is a believer in
the contract system and does not hesi-
tate to say that supplies have been pur-
chased cheaper by contract tina they
could have been bought in the open
market.
OBJ ects to Bookkeeping Act.
The average number of persons en-
ployed on contract work during the
year was S21. The supervisor
does not altogether like the
present system of bookkeeping at the
prison, under the act creating the office
of State auditors, He says that certain
expenses do not come within the official
knowledge of his office, and adds that if
this system is to be maintained the
Legislature should make the appropria-
lions for the fiscal year to conform to
this system. and Legislative enactments
should be required sc that all expendi-
lures for every purpose connected with
the State prison should pass through
his office. He renews his application
for enactment of a law authorizing the
payment to prisoners upon discharge of
a sum not exceeding S25, this to be paid
prisoners WHO have shown q disposition
to properly perform their work. He
says that he believes such a law would
increase discipline.
In the prison school there We're 229
men enrolled during the year. of which
122 were totally illiterate and 107 were
/ foreigners, who, though not illiterate.