Since making my last annual report, that portion of the yard wall which then remained in an unfinished state, has been completed.— Also during the past year there has been built for the use of the furnace and machine contractors, an additional and commodious brick work-shop, 50 feet by 65, one story high, and in all respects a substantial and suitable building for that branch of business. The second tier of cells has been advanced as far as was considered necessary for all practical purposes, and so far completed, that new cells for the reception of convicts, can be arranged on very short notice. With your advice and approval, a temporary apartment has been fitted up on the floor of the second tier of cells, for the accommodation of the sick, which has thus far proved a very great convenience. This apartment was constructed by temporarily omitting the partition walls which form the cells, for a space of thirty-six feet in length, with the entire width of the block, and separating this space into two rooms, one of which is exclusively appropriated for the use of the sick, and the other for other purposes connected with the hospital department. This arrangement has been found to contribute very materially, not only to the comfort of the invalid, but to the convenience of administering to his necessities and his speedy restoration to health. The centre building of the main prison was commenced in June last, and the basement story from the foundation, has been erected, including the partition walls, according to the plan heretofore adopted for the continuation of the prison buildings. This building in extent is 61 by 83 feet on the ground, and joins on to the east gable end of the west wing, and when completed will be four stories, or about fifty feet in height from the level of the yard. The first, or basement floor, is intended for the kitchen, mess room, cellars, &c., for the use of the prison, the second floor for the offices, turnkeys' hall, and other conveniences, and the third floor and above the same, for the residence of the keeper of the prison. This department of the prison buildings, thus far, is constructed of substantial stone masonry, the exterior and partition walls varying from two and a half to three and a half feet in thickness, and placed upon a rock foundation. The front of this building projects about twenty-three feet from the south wall of the two wings, and the face side of the outer wall window and door caps and sills is composed of cut stone, which, for beauty and durability, is not surpassed by any building material in the western country. The whole work, thus far, during the past year, including the cutting of the stone and setting the same, has been progressed with the labor of the convicts under the immediate superintendence of the prison officers. With ordinary success it is not unreasonable to expect that this building can be nearly or quite completed during another year, should there be no material change in the present mode of employing the convicts, and if such an expectation is realized, the prison buildings will then be sufficiently extensive for the next succeeding several years, with the exception of additional cells, as the in crease of convicts may require, and the gradual extension of the work →shops, should new contracts be let in the mechanical branches. The prison has long felt the want of a supply of water, in addition to the quantity afforded from the wells within the yard, which can only be relied upon for ordinary purposes, but should the buildings of the prison take fire, which you are aware has once occurred, they would be found, as they were at that time, wholy inadequate for the emergency. That difficulty has, however, been obviated by bringing the water from the Ganson spring, so called, the free use of which for that purpose, having been heretofore granted to the state, by the proprietor. The water from said spring, which is situated about 150 rods from the prison, is conducted the whole distance in logs under ground, and is discharged into a reservoir, located in about the centre of the prison yard. This reservoir is of circular form, 12 feet deep and 13 feet in diameter, and is lined with a substantial brick wall, laid in waterlime, and plastered on the inside with the same material. The entire expense of the work, exclusive of the labor of convicts, has been about $35. The earnings of the convicts, whose services have been hired to contractors and others, during the past year, amount to the sum of $6,922 70, and the estimated earnings of those who have labored directly upon the prison department, to the sum of $4,425 37, making the aggregate earnings $11,348 07, as will be observed by reference to the table herewith submitted. This amount shows an excess over the total earnings of the previous year of only $400 08, but an excess over the amount earned on contracts of $1,484 58. The comparison thus instituted, you will perceive, exhibits a dimipution in the labor for the prison, and a very considerable increase in that for contractors. The reasons to be assigned for this undoubtedly are, that contractors have been enabled to furnish more regular and steady employment for the convicts, and that there has been an important reduction in the number of days lost by sickness. For the year ending Oct. 31, 1844, the number of days lost in consequence of sickness and other causes, was 4,400, and during the year past, from the same causes, but 2,882, which is a falling off of over 1,500 days. The table before referred to embraces the various facts, connected with the foregoing subject. The accurate average number of convicts supported during the past year, is 125, and of that number from 80 to 85 have been contracted. After the prison buildings are completed, and the convicts all let on contracts, except the few that may be required for the ordinary duties connected with the prison, it is fair to presume that with 175 able bodied prisoners the institution can be managed so that it will not have to rely upon the treasury for any portion of its maintenance. The preceding table is a correct exhibit of the receipts and expenditures on account of both departments, and shows a balance of $215 80 now remaining in my hands. The attention of the inspectors is respectfully invited to the accompanying tables and statements, all of which have been prepared with considerable care, and will be found to contain many facts and statistics, which have not appeared in any previous report. I deem it my duty to observe, that the several subordinate officers and guards, who have been placed under my direction, have faithfully and promptly executed the various responsible trusts committed to them. This is the last annual document that I shall be called upon to submit, as Agent of this institution, as my official connexion with the same will terminate with the expiration of my present legal term, and I must be permitted to take this occasion to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Board of Inspectors, for the uniform kindness and forbearance which, for so long a period they have manifested towards me-for their advice and co-operation so freely extended, on all occasions when difficulties were encountered in the discharge of my dutiesand for the care and consideration exercised by them in selecting faithful and competent officers to aid me in the management of the various departments of the prison affairs. For all of these favors, gentlemen, I shall cherish through life a grateful remembrance, and an ardent wish for your personal happiness and welfare. Respectfully, your obedient servant. |