Glasgow Courier. — 1853-03-05 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

PRISON.  (Inspected November 1 and 8, 1851.)  The average daily number in confinement during the past year has been 656, which is 61 less than the year preceding. The general health appears to have been good, and no prevailing disease, although the return for the year ending June stow thq deaths of 6 males and 2 females. In Dr. Gibson's quarterly report for June he quotes the following table, showing the progressive decrease of the number of sick here during the last three years:— Males. Females. Both. 1848-49 171 199 370  -.1849-50 118 14.3 261 1860-51 81 113 194 There have been several attempts to commit suicide, two of which were successful; but by a subsequent report it appears probable that the others were only feigned for ulterior purposes. Dr. Gibson remarks, with respect to the crank machine labour, that he has much difficulty in getting the individuals employed at it assiduously to work, so as to gain their usual diet; that malingering of every possible description is had recourse to, in the hope that the surgeon, in his professional capacity, will be induced to order a discontinuance of the labour, and that it requires the greatest circumspection on his part to prevent the reformatory intentions of those in authority being frustrated by ingenious contrivances, which they in their shrewdness and colonisation out of doors daily otrive to invent. The chaplain's duties continue to be efficiently performed by the Rev. John Read, who devotes about five hours daily in their discharge, in visiting the sick, and prisoners under close confinement for prison offences, in doing the work of a missionary from cell to cell, and in conducting divine eervices on Sabbaths. The governor stated that the general conduct of the prisoners had been good, and on examining the record of punishments, I saw nothing requiring nolloe. The governor, in his subsequent report for the quarter ending December, states that the number of punishments for that quarter are greatly above the average; bat they have been chiefly caused by giving effect to the system of hard labour recently introduced by the General Board, as well as in enforcing a larger amount of work by the prisoners generally; and he adds, that he has I reason 'to believe that not a few of them have left the prison permanently benefited, and with a sincere desire to earn an honest livelihood.' The governor adds, with reference to the interim rules of the General Board for carrying out sentences of Imprisonment for hard labour, that since the period of their introduction only 15 males and 11 females have been so sentenced by the Central Criminal Courts; and that, while in some instances it has been found rather difficult, to obtain the prescribed amount of work, the result upon the whole has been satisfactory. He farther states, with reference to the dietary troduced, that all coevicted prisoners committed during the quarter, under sentences of imprisonment for periods exceeding ten days, and not exceeding two months, and not employed at hard labour, have been fed span the first, or lowest of the three rates of diet; the prisoner' generally have increased in weight, and in no Matinee, had either he or the surgeon found it necessary to advance a prisoner to a higher rate. On the 26th February last a male prisoner, lamed Willimn Martin, unfortunately lost his life by inhaling the fumes of partially ignited coke, while shut un with two other prisoners during the breakfast hour, in the furnace-room attached to the east wing. I took an early opportunity of visiting the place, and inquiring into the circumstances, and fully concurred in opinion with the legal authorities, who had already in. 'mitigated the case, that no blame whatever attached to the governor or the officers of the prison, The provisions and principal eiores continue to be furnished by contract, and the materials for prison employments are procured by the governor; all accounts are checked and rendered quarterly, and confirmed, after close examination, by the signature of the examining meniber of the committee. Average cost of prison diet per head ... £3 7 1 Average amount of earnings 2 14 Net cost per head, after deducting earnings 11 6 0 The foregoing mereges are highly creditable to the management of Captain Mullen, the governor, as was also the general appearance of every department of the prison. During the several times I have seen this prison in the course of the year everything was in active operation, and seemingly working well; but at my 'kit in November I regretted to find that several diamissals of officers had taken place under circumstances which had left some unpleasant feeling between the governor and some of his subordinate.; but, as neither party appealed to me, and the circumstances had been investigated by the County Board, and as everything seemed to be going on smoothly again, I did not feel myself at liberty to enter Into any inquiry. I have, therefore, merely to remark generally, that when a spirit once gains admission imong ffie subordinates of • large prison, to damage those above them, it is not easily eradicated; and a governor haring at all times a very difficult task to perform, needs the liberal support of those above him, and ought not to be too scrupulously judged on trifles. As I have alv—iy said, I know nothing of the merits en at issue, but having seen a 'ullen, end his management of r his charge, I am of optqion an able, energetic officer, and strictly honest In purpose.  the previous nine same period this year 2.84,510 12s; decrease on pre, sent year 2,456 10..