BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE Warden of Nevada State Prison FOR THE YEARS 1879 AND 1880. TENTH SESSION OF THE NEVADA LEGISLATURE, 1880. REPORT NEVADA STATE PRISON, CARSON CITY, January 1, 1881. To the Honorable Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada : I have the honor to submit my report as Warden for the years 1879 and 1880. Good order and discipline among the prisoners has generally prevailed. While those among them disposed to infraction of the rules have been closely watched and kept in check, the treatment of all has been just and impartial. In August, 1879, an attempt was made to fire the Prison; no other serious attempt at an outbreak has been made. Exhibit "A" shows in detail the expenditures of the Prisonaggregating $157,255 32. The amount of money collected on account of Prison labor and material and paid into the State Treasury was $56,756 48 (see Exhibit B), and the balance of the appropriation unexpended and remaining in the State Treasury December 31, 1880, was $17,744 68, making the gross cost of maintaining the Prison and the industries connected therewith, for the two years, $100,498 84 (see Table C), and the net cost of maintenance, deducting earnings, $95,304 94 (see Table). Exhibit "B" shows in detail the resources of the Prison of every kind, and the disposition that has been made of them. Exhibit "C" shows the operations of the Boot and Shoe Manufactory. Owing to the heavy advance in the cost of material, in connection with the continued depression in business, the margin for profit has been very small. In May, 1879, a reduction in the valuation of the manufactured stock, then on hand, was made, which reduced the valuation of the sales made thereafter $10,054 60, and the valuation of the present inventory $4,381 72 (see Exhibit). Exhibit "2" shows the receipts and expenditures of the Stone Quarry, including the value of stone use in construction. Table "A" shows the cost of maintaining the Prison—excluding such, expenditures as do not properly enter into the cost of maintenance-to have been $0 72.93 per capita per diem. The amount expended for improvements has been: Construction Account, $3,052 50; Water Works, $3,007 72; total, $6,060 22. For full information in detail relative to these expenditures, and all others, I respectfully refer you to the exhibits and tables submitted herewith. WATER WORKS. Prior to 1879, the water used was raised from a well in the yard by hand pumps. The supply was insufficient for the culinary and sanitary uses of the Prison, and afforded no protection against fire. The purchase of the Warm Springs property gave the State, in great quantity, an inexhaustible supply of water, from which, by steam pumps, a system of supply and distribution has been provided. The works consist of a No. 7 Cameron pump, by which the water is forced through a three-inch pipe to a tank-of 15,000 gallons capacity-located on the hill in rear of the prison at sufficient elevation to distribute the water to the highest point of the buildings. The steam for pumping is supplied by a 36-inch tubular boiler, which is of sufficient capacity to furnish steam for such manufacturing purposes as may be deemed advisable. Distributing pipes, so connected with the pump and tank as to be supplied by either, or both, have been carried over and through the main buildings and in front thereof. Hydrants have been suitably located and provided with hose, which is at all times convenient for attachment. Connections have not yet been completed with the buildings in the yard. The cost of running the pump has been nominal, sagebrush being used for fuel. IMPROVEMENTS. The improvements completed consist of steam pumps, and building covering the same, 30x31 feet; a two-story building, 44x24, for carpenter and tailor shops; 68 feet of stone wall, 18 feet high, on the north and west sides of yard; 487 feet of stone wall, 6 feet high, enclosing grounds in front of Prison, entrance gate, and two stone guard towers. Improvements under way uncompleted are: Stone guard tower, at angle of wall and bath house, and four cells in the Hospital. These latter are to be 9x10 feet in the clear, built of stone, the walls two feet in thickness, securely bound together by iron clamps and dowel-pins. In all improvements made, permanency has been kept in view, and the work done in a substantial manner, all the walls being laid up in good lime mortar. All the buildings, except the main building, are in good repair. The latter should be reroofed. CELLS. The present number of cells (53) is entirely inadequate to the proper care, discipline, and accommodation of the prisoners. Most of the cells are occupied at night by three prisoners. The stone cells are 8x4 feet on the floor, and 8 feet high. The iron ones are but little larger; and to compel three persons to sleep in cells so small, seems to me to be a near approach to cruelty. Increased space for cells can be easily and cheaply provided, by the extension of the main building so as to connect with the building formerly used as a shoe shop. This would give space for thirty roomy stone cells, and retain connection with the present cell corridor. I estimate the cost of building the cells mentioned at about $4,500. RECOMMENDATIONS. I most respectfully renew the recommendations contained in my report of 1879, relative to convict testimony and insane persons. I deem their enactment into laws as essential to the good order and discipline of the Prison, and the protection of its officers. I also recommend the enactment of a law by which convicts escaping, upon being captured and returned to the Prison, should commence their sentence anew, beginning at the date of their return to Prison. I think the knowledge of the certain forfeiture of the time served prior to escaping would tend to the prevention of conspiracies and outbreaks. The health of the prisoners has generally been good. In this connection I refer you to the report of the Prison Physician herewith transmitted. In closing my report, I desire to thank the Prison Commissioners for counsel and advice; and all the officers of the Prison for their efficiency, fidelity, and ready cooperation in maintaining good order and discipline. Very respectfully, C. C. BATTERMAN, Warden. |