Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-03-27
NEN||I,AWSM0D|FY
PENAL SYSTEM.
Statutes Effective June IS
Will Forward Re-
formation
GOOD BEHAVIOR
Allowance for Exemplary Conduct is
Increased From Four to Ten Days
Month

Richmond, March 27.-Legislation
vitally affecting the States penal
system in several particulars was
embodied in series of bills which
were passed by the General Assembly
during the session which has just
adjourned. They have received the ap-
proval of Governor Stuart, and will
be in effect ninety days from the time
of final adjournment, or on June H.
The foremost measure is that which
gives to prisoners sentenced to the
penitentiary an increase of good-be-
havior allowance from four days in
the month, as heretofore, to ten days
in the month. 1t is believed that this
will give encouragement to prisoners
to obey the rules, to avoid attempted
escapes, and to work out their own
salvation from custody by proper be-
havior. The law provides that for
INSTRUMENTATION, escape or attempted
escape, the prisoner must forfeit all
ood-behavior allowance up to the
time of the offense.
Another bill caked by the admins
tration is that giving convicts credit
for time held in Jail after conviction,
because of quarantine against conta-
gious disease thus preventing their
removal to the penitentiary until the
quarantine limits have expired.
+ A new law win give to prisoners
credit from the day of arrest on wnat-
ever sentence may be imposed if con-
viction results. This is to obviate in
Justice which may arise because OF
unavoidable delays in indictment and
trial.
An important change is made in
adding to the sentence of convicts
because of second and third convic-
ton for felony. Heretofore the Circuit
Court has been required to add five
years to whatever sentence is imposed
on a prisoner for violating the laws
second time, and to impose life
sentence for a third conviction. Under
the new law, the court may impose
such additional time as it may see
fit for second and third conviction,
not to exceed FIVE years in the former
case.
In an attempt to aid in the desire
to save first offenders, law was pass
ed permitting criminal courts, IN
their discretion, to suspend sentence
in cases of first conviction for lar
ceny and forgery, and to release the
prisoner upon his good behavior
Courts are forbidden by the act tc
suspend sentence for second con-
viction.
The Strobe bills affecting convict
contract labor are the first step II
this direction, and must be ratified
by the next General Assembly t.
make them effective in the elimlna
tion of employment of convicts b!
contract, The present contract unde'
which is not to exceed 500 long-tern
and desperate men and all the womel
prisoners are employed in the over
all factory at the penitentiary. vii
not have expired until after the as
sembling of the General Assembl
of 1913; but it was thought posslbl
contract might be made before tina
session begins, effective at the eNplra
ton of the existing agreement. 5
the new law repeals- the section G
the Code providing that contract ma
be made, and another new law make
prisoners eligible to quarries, tn
idea being to use the most desperat
1 men under stockade conditions
!, such work. The matter, however,
left to the Legislature for action tw
years hence.
4