stroy the vigor of the constitution, or to enfeeble the physical powers of prisoners, to such a degree as to affect their viability, or to deprive them of the health upon which they must depend after their release to procure a livelihood for themselves, or families. Does not, then, the converse proposition stand upon the same basis, viz., that the State is also bound to take all necessary measures to preserve their health?

The necessary means for accomplishing this desirable end, are 1. Ventilation.

2. Cleanliness.

3. Exercise.

Ventilation.-Man is a respiratory animal. He breathes, and therefore he exists. The design of respiration is, to supply the blood, through the lungs, with the oxygen from the atmosphere, which is necessary to sustain life, and, at the same time, to throw off from the system the carbonic acid gas, a product of the combustion which is constantly going on there, and a deadly poison. In the open air, this poison is constantly absorbed by vegetation, and a fresh supply of oxygen given out in liberal quantities; but in a close room the air is constantly deteriorating, and in a short time becomes unfit for respiration, and, when the carbonic acid in it amounts to six or eight per cent., will destroy life as certainly as immersion in water. Yet, in estimating the amount of fresh air to be supplied, we ought not merely to look at what the system will tolerate, but to supply that amount which will sustain the most vigorous existence for the longest period.

Now the prisons are almost without any adequate or systematic arrangements for ventilation, and the prisoners suffer very much from the want of it. Few of them are ventilated, the house of correction at South Boston being the best example, while the jail in the same county is, in this respect as in all others, the worst.* Ventilation includes warming, for the want of which many of the rooms in the jails are now entirely abandoned during the winter.

Cleanliness.-This is a most important item, and includes, of

* This building has been several times indicted as a nuisance, and certainly no place of the kind better deserves the name.

course, the cleansing of the apartments, the bedding, and the clothes and persons of the prisoners. The most necessary point to be considered in the present case, and the one which is the most neglected in all the prisons, is the universal want of suitable baths and other conveniences for daily ablution.

If the entire body of the prisoner is cleansed daily by a bath, as it should be, much labor will be saved in washing the bedding and clothes, and the prisoners will be more vigorous, cheerful, and active. Bathing is one of the most important means for preserving health under any circumstances. We most earnestly recommend immediate attention to this point. The trouble and expense of a daily shower-bath would be a thousand times compensated by its benefits.

Exercise and Labor.-As has already been remarked, the prisoners in the jails are the greatest sufferers in this regard. We have seen them striding to and fro, in their contracted rooms, with the utmost appearance of suffering from the want of it, and all, who were questioned on the point, expressed great eagerness to avail themselves of any labor, if it could be allowed. If well ventilated workshops were attached as they sbould be to all the jails, the condition of prisoners would be vastly improved, and the saving of expense to the counties would be very considerable. Many years ago, the jails in Switzerland were conducted on the plan of permitting labor to this class of prisoners, and an allowance of one sixth of the profits of the work was given to them as an encouragement. The results were in all cases admirable.

Instruction.

This is a most important consideration in the conduct of prisons. So far, the advantages offered by the laws, and the voluntary efforts of individuals, have not been so extensively useful as might be desired. If the several prisons were lighted at night, and some assistance were allowed by the various authorities to procure teachers, who should instruct those who are desirous or in need of such instruction in the elementary parts of education, much good might be accomplished. If there were no moral considerations involved in the

care of prisoners, the dictates of policy merely would be of sufficient weight to enforce attention to the various points to which allusion has now been made. If prisoners are kept in a cleanly and healthy condition, and taught and trained to habits of industry, they are much more likely to be reformed, to respect themselves and each other, and the state is, at the same time, saving herself the risk of supporting, after their discharge, so many otherwise idle, vicious, and helpless vagabonds.

In the remarks which we have made, in regard to some of the prisons, we have endeavored to set down "naught in malice, but rather extenuate;" for we have, in all cases, been assisted, with the utmost readiness and courtesy, by the various officers connected with them; and their errors and omissions,where observed,-in the treatment of prisoners, are, in most cases, to be attributed to the circumstances,-often regretted by themselves, in which the state of the laws, or the structure of the buildings, has placed them.

The State Prison.

This institution was visited by the whole committee, and found to be, in most respects, in excellent condition. The discipline we believe to be unexceptionable, and the productiveness of the labor of the prisoners is a sufficient evidence of the excellence and energy with which the affairs of its internal economy are conducted. The workshops are entirely without ventilation, and that of the prison itself could be much improved. Much attention has been paid to the fact, that there have been no deaths in the prison for some time past; and there is a consequent impression, that all its circumstances are therefore the most favorable to the preservation of health. Such is not, however, the opinion of the committee. The want of ventilation,above referred to,-the necessity of more frequent bathing, and the exclusion from the open air,-the only time now allowed being ten minutes,* twice daily,-are certainly causes which cannot exist without some prejudicial effect on the health of prisoners.

*To this should ¡be added the time taken in passing to and from the workshops, which would make about 45 minutes altogether.

It is undoubtedly true, as reported, that there has been a remarkable immunity from severe and fatal disease among the prisoners; but this should be considered, in our opinion, partly as an evidence of what their constitutions-originally stronger, perhaps, than those of the average of an equal number of persons out of prison-will endure. It is a well-known physiological fact, that the conservative powers of the constitution will often adapt it to the most difficult circumstances, if their continuance or frequent repetition render it necessary. For example,—a dislocated bone, after a time, will move very well in a new and unnatural socket; the stomach will digest, often for a considerable length of time, certain articles, which are, in themselves, highly indigestible. But the new joint does not play with the precision and ease of the old one; and the stomach will, at last, break down in its unequal task, and be finally rendered incapable of disposing of the lightest and most wholesome food. So that, notwithstanding the apparently favorable condition of the health of the prisoners, we cannot doubt, that they must often leave the prison in a condition not wholly adapted to grapple with the vicissitudes of a necessarily less regular and more exposed life.

We think the connection of the cooking and washing departments in the same room, very disadvantageous. It gives a general air of discomfort to that part of the house, which, perhaps, may account for our impression, that the state prison was, in point of neatness, far inferior to another prison in Suffolk county, where the annual number of prisoners is much greater, their sentences shorter, and their habits, previous to admission, much more filthy.

We would recommend that the windows of the outer walls of the main prison be so enlarged, as to give sufficient light for reading in the cells. This object, however, cannot be fully accomplished without substituting, for the present cell doors, those made with round iron bars and open grated.

The warden has, with commendable zeal, established an evening school for reading, which he thinks, has proved of much advantage, and we think an appropriation annually for this purpose would be a wise thing.

Houses of Correction.

We have already spoken of the general structure of these prisons, and referred to their superior advantages. Their principal defects are, want of ventilation and a regular system of bathing, both of which can be easily remedied by the proper authorities, without the necessity for any large expenditure of money. In all the houses of correction, the prisoners are employed in various industrial pursuits, under the superintendence of those who contract for the labor; thus saving the expense of supervision to the counties, and ensuring constant and close attention to their work.

The House of Correction at South Boston

Has attracted much attention from the committee, and they can most cordially recommend it as a model, in its wonderful neatness and the perfection of its discipline, worthy of imitation by any institution in the state. The whole prison is well lighted at night. The prisoners, as at the state-prison, are separated at night, or for discipline, and congregate without being allowed to communicate, during the day,—this method having, in the opinion of the committee, all the advantages of both systems, without the disadvantages of either.

House of Correction at Worcester.

This is a good building and pretty well kept. Ventilation, bad. Number of prisoners, forty. The rooms for female prisoners are entirely unsuitable. There was an insane man here, sent some years ago from the Worcester Hospital, which is within sight and at a short distance. The jail now makes part of this building, and has every necessary convenience. There is an excellent work-shop; and a chapel, in which a Sabbath school is kept and religious services are held. For these, and several other valuable improvements, the county is indebted to the Sheriff, Mr. Lincoln.

House of Correction at Ipswich.

This is a well-kept institution, and the prisoners seemed to be well disciplined by their very judicious keeper. Some of the