The Sun. — 1857-08-14 (London, England)

REPO -,TS ON CONVICT PRISONS.  6.,. A thick blue-book contains the reports of the inspectors of various convict prisons. The most interesting of these is that which refers to Pentonvilla. It appears that one of the prisoners stabbed his officer with a shoe-knife, and ihat 522 offences were reported, of which 41 were dismissed. Of 1,054 prisoners confined last year 809 were net punished at all, a satisfact ry proof that the general conduct of he prisoners was good. Two prisoners escaped, it is supposed through the assistance of an officer, who was dismissed in consequence. About 53J of the prisoners were trans ferret to other prisons during the year, and 558 remained at Pentonville on the 31st of December, 1856. The total expenses of the prison, exclusive of buildings, amounted to 14,6951., reduced by sundry receipts and by the labour of prisoners to 13,3111. The deaths in the prison were at the rate of 4.2 per mille, and no attempt at • suicide occurred. The system of teaching remains the same as before, and the results are satisfactory. The statistics prove that mere "education " is not to be received either as a panaeea or • preventive of serious crime, as it is plainly a two- • edged sword, which cuts bo h ways, for evil and for good, according to the religious principles and moral habits of the possessors. In short, the greater the crime the higher will c f en be found the degree of education. The degree of education is higher in convicts (reports the chaplain) than in ordinary criminals. Experience shows that of 1,000 convicts released from this prison 200 will relapse into crime, with less SUCCCS3 than before ; 3CO will abandon crime as a bad speculation, and because their skill in thieving is pretty well lost ; 400 will bona fide) and from principle and choice, adopt a good course of life, and become useful members of society ; ancl 100 will break down into permanent invalids, and end their days in a workhouse. Taking 1,000 prisoners sentenced to transportation for life, it is calculated that 113 can nether read nor write, 135 can read a little, 291 can both read and write imperfectly, 330 can read well, and 81 are of sik perior education. Of another 1,000 prisoners, about 15 or 16 appear to have been liberally educated and emplo3ed, 40 to 52 to have been clerks, shopwen, and bagmen, 26 to 71 servants, and 317 to 388 tradesmen and mechanics. The report on Milbank prison shows that 2,765 prioners were disposed of last year, 832 remaining et the close thereof. The (reduced) expenses of the prison amounted to 29,6751. Of 2,259 convicts whose educational status is recorded, only 243 were totally ignorant. At Parkhurst prison 638 prisoners were disposed of last year, and thi cost was 11,1401, At Portland, 2,387 prisoners were disposed of, and the expense amounted.to 52,161/. The conduct of the prisoners, as a body, has been good, and they are more patient under labour.. At Portsmouth, 1,636 prisonera• were disposed of, and the expense was 31,0351. •At Dartmoor, 1,517 prisoners were disposed of,- and • the expense was, 34,454/. Lastly, at Chatham prison, 677 prisoners were disposed of, and the expense amounted to 36,3501.  Country Markets.  MANCHESTER -AuG. 13.  At this day's market there was a fair attendance, and' a moderato amount of business was transacted in wheat and flour at tee extreme currency of last week. Oats and oatmeal were both inquired for, and the former improvoo in value id per 451bs. Beans same as last week. Indian corn is per qr. cheaper. There has been a continuance of heavy ntin during the week.