On referring to the books of the institution, I find that when there were but forty convicts in the prison, there were employed to guard them, including the messenger, nine persons, at an aggregate monthly salary of $441 65. At present there are ninety-three convicts confined-with a probability of the number being increased this term of court to guard whom there are eight officers, including the messenger, at an aggregate monthly salary of $408 31. When I took charge of the prison, there were ninety-three convicts confined, and but seven guards employed, at an aggregate monthly salary of $345 82. That this latter number of guards were insufficient, appeared to me conclusive, from the fact that several prisoners were under punishment for an attempt at escape, under circumstances which showed that there was not a sufficiency of persons employed to guard the institution. The number of persons, including the messenger, now employed is eight, two of whom are allotted to the superintending of the shoe factory; the greater portion of the time of the principal of these two is occupied in attending the sales-room, which is located without the prison gates-leaving but one officer to superintend some seventy 'convicts who are occupied in various ways in the shoe factory. The want of an additional officer in the factory compels the necessity of confiding over much to selected prisoners, who are employed in cutting leather, &c., preparatory to its being manufactured into shoes and boots. This necessity of selecting proves a never-ceasing cause of discontent on the part of convict applicants less fortunate, who, to gratify their vicious and disappointed feelings, too frequently injure and destroy property, at which they are occasionally detected. In my opinion there should be at all times two officers in the shoe factory; one to inspect and have charge of material and tools, the other to enforce discipline. The duties of the deputy warden are multifarious. Provisions, clothing, the discipline and cleanliness of the prison, not only demand his attention, but he also has charge of the dispensary, the female department, and the showing of visitors through the prison; which latter duty occupies a large portion of his time, and too frequently interferes with the prompt discharge of other duties more urgent. An additional guard attached to the shoe factory, would enable the salesman to aid the deputy warden in such branches of his duty as might be designated, and add much to the safety and enforcement of the discipline of the prison. Of the remaining guards, one has charge of the carpenters' and blacksmiths' shop; two are allotted for wall guards by day; one in charge of the principal gate; and the remaining one acts as a messenger by day and a guard by night. One additional guard I believe requisite for the execution of the present required day duties of the institution. To secure the energies and watchfulness of the officers having charge of the workshops by day, in which some of the most desperate and worthless known to our country are employed, it would, in my opinion, be advisable to relieve them from night duty, and thus enable them to exert all their physical powers in the discharge of the responsible duties assigned them for the day. At present three of the eight persons employed compose the night guard alternately, or nearly so, all of whom do duty within doors during the night-leaving the workshops, (containing all the material and tools for factory purposes,) which are located in the yard, without a person on watch to give an alarm in case of fire or other accident. Thus, without relieving the present number employed from night duty, an additional guard is requisite to the safety of the prison, and to a full and faithful discharge of the several duties required, which are likely to increase as the city becomes more populous. If determined upon to relieve from night duty officers having responsible duties to perform by day, it will be necessary to employ three additional persons, who, with the wall guards now employed, can alternately relieve each other by day as well as by night. The result of my limited experience tends to convince me that the most effectual mode of inducing the convicts to apply their minds to their labor, would be to give each convict an interest in his labor, by requiring from each a limited task. All over-work, provided their general conduct was good, to be paid them when discharged. For this purpose a debit and credit account would have to be opened with each convict, which would add but little or no labor to the present mode of keeping the books of the institution. The great object being to reform the wicked, and send them hence a better people, it becomes necessary to review their usual manner of treatment when under confinement. One plan suggested is that of treating them so cruelly, as to intimidate them from a repetition of crime, lest they again be doomed to punishment; another, that of solitary confinement; a third, that of rendering them as comfortable as their unfortunate situation will justify. Whilst in prison, the ever-active mind will necessarily awake many resolves; however praiseworthy these resolves may be, yet they can seldom be carried into execution, for when discharged from this place, the freed convict has little or no means to procure him lodgings, or to enable him to travel without the District limits; and such is public sentiment that few, if any, can obtain work if known to be "penitentiary birds." Under such circumstances, it appears palpable that were they allowed an interest in their labor, it would induce them to adhere more closely thereto, knowing that when discharged they would be possessed of some little means to be used by them, for good or evil, as they might select. Nor do I believe that the fact of giving them an interest in their labor would tend to lessen the pecuniary funds of the institution. On the contrary, I am impressed with the opinion, that being employed in part for their own benefit would cause them to acquire habits of industry and economy, as well as secure a general better deportment in prison, all of which would conduce to the economy of the institution. In conclusion, allow me to express to you, gentlemen, my acknowledgements for the kind and courteous manner in which you have aided me in the discharge of my official duties, and tender you my warmest thanks. I must also return my thanks to the officers and guards attached to the institution, for the promptness, fidelity, and energy with which they have performed their arduous, responsible, and delicate duties, and say that, in my opinion, for such duties they deserve to be better compensated. All of which is respectfully submitted, by your obedient servant, THOMAS THORNLEY, Warden. An estimate showing the amount requisite to discharge the indebtedness of the institution; to pay a matron and additional guards; as also to make sundry improvements suggested in the foregoing report. 22,875 66 For alterations and repairs of buildings, (it would be advisable to consult an architect,) say. 10,000 00 Total... 32,875 66 Respectfully, THOMAS THORNLEY, Warden. OFFICE OF U. S. PENITENTIARY, Washington, D. C., January 1, 1854. GENTLEMEN: I submit herewith the annual statements exhibiting the financial condition and operation of this institution for the year ending December 31, 1853; also a journal of convicts, showing the number in confinement at the commencement of the year; the number received and discharged during the year; and the number remaining in confinement at the end of the year; their age, sex, color, employment, &c. Also, a statement showing the indebtedness of the institution, as far as I am able to ascertain; also the amount standing upon the books of the institution for the different years not collected. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN KING, of William, The BOARD OF INSPECTORS of the Penitentiary, D. C. DR. United States Penitentiary for the District of Columbia, in account-current with the United States. CR. Statement showing the income from the labor of convicts employed in the different work-shops, &c., during the year 1853. Shoe factory. By amount received and charged on the books of the penitentiary for boots and shoes sold during the year 1853.... By stock on hand December 31, 1853— Boots and shoes, complete.... Unfinished work.. $12,501 00 $1,328 85 867 98 2,560 28 To amount of stock on hand December 31, 1852..... $15,061 28 3,219 56 9,658 98 12, 878 54 2, 182 74 Carpenters' and blacksmiths' shop. By amount received and charged on the books for sales and work done..... By amount of stock on hand December 31, 1853.. 2,421 48 3,280 07 By amount received and charged for washing, &c., exclusive of prison account. 38 99 Laborers. By amount of 123} days' labor on improvement and repairs at 40 cents.... 49 40 |