than they could profitably employ. And in two instances, when they found themselves in a situation to give profitable employment to more men, they have been supplied from this prison, to the number, in all, of 120, all of which has been done at the expense of this prison, to favor Auburn.

I merely mention this circumstance among others in order to show the disadvantages of this system. Under the most favorable circumstances much time is necessary to get all things so organized and arranged as to give profitable employment to such a large number of men. I am decidedly of opinion, that a proportion of these men can always be profitably employed at the stone-cutting business, but not to the same extent as was originally intended. It has been my object, to have such a number of the various mechanical branches in operation, to enable me at all times, to put such prisoners as have trades, at their respective trades, instead of learning them a new one; and at the same time, so to equalize the several branches as not have any overdone, or make a monopoly to the injury of honest mechanics.

The stone-cutting business is calculated to do citizen mechanics less injury than any other branch of mechanical business. The present average earnings of the stone-cutters at work on the contract for the French church in New-York, may be put down at 90 cents per day per man. This of course includes the quarrying and carting the stone from quarries to shop, which will reduce the actual earnings of those engaged on this work, to about 55 cents per day per man. At the present time, sales to any extent can be made for good stone, so as to insure the above prices at least. The only objection that can be raised against this mode of employing the prisoners, is the uncertainty of always procuring a good supply of marble from the quarries. In consequence of this uncertainty, and the heavy expenses attending the opening of quarries that frequently prove useless, I am now making arrangements to employ, at least, a part of the men at the various mechanical branches, so soon as shops suitable for such purposes can be erected, and the men instructed in their several branches. By having a less number of men engaged in the stone-cutting and quarrying business, we shall not be placed in a situation where it will be necessary to force our articles in the market, made from poor materials, but select such only for sale as will command a fair price.

The estimates of cost of our buildings, made by Messrs. Carmichael and Lent, as requested, are as follows: Additional shops erected during the past year, 160 feet in length, and 40 feet wide, 2 stories high, would have cost the State to build them, by citizens' labor, $10,450. We have done considerable other work the last year about the prison, besides adding to the general stock of tools, fixtures, &c., &c.

The actual cost of building the prison shops, &c. and including all the expenses of opening quarries, excavating for foundation, &c. &c. up to Jan. 1, 1832, is $200,105.66, including the support of its prisoners from the commencement. What all this labor would have cost to employ citizen labor, I cannot form a correct

idea. But from the estimates of mechanics and from the cost of the Auburn prison, (which was built in part by citizen labor,) I should think it would not be less than 250,000 dollars.

It must also be borne in mind, that the old prison in New-York was an annual expense to the State of about 20,000 dollars, for several years previous to its abandonment.

The Auburn prison, I believe, cost the State in all about $450,000 This cost

Deduct what the old New-York prison sold for,

$200,000

100,000

And you have the actual cost of this in the place of the old one, for one-fourth what the Auburn cost,

$100,000

Continuation of work done and part done, per order, and memorandums of agreements.

Julias A. Carrington's order for marble, July 15, am't..

Andrew Brady.

do

Sailors' Snug Harbor, do

Nov. 1,

Daniel Kinny, orders for locks,

$272 00

..

270 00

1,069 77

433 50

In addition to the above, we are receiving numerous small orders for work of all kinds, which is generally paid for on delivery, and appears more fully on the order books of the different departROB. WILTSE, Agent.

ments.

December 1, 1832.

( B.)

Description of the Internal Police of the State-Prison at Auburn.

In order to give an intelligible description of the internal police of this prison, it is necessary to begin with a remark or two respecting the construction of the shops, as it regards means and facilities for enforcing the great fundamental rule of our system of discipline, viz: non intercourse among the convicts.

It was found that this rule, upon which all the utility and efficiency of the system was seen to depend, could not be enforced, without either greatly multiplying the number of assistant keepers, or devising some better means than shops of the common construction afford, for facilitating inspection. This led to the adoption of what are termed inspection avenues. These are narrow passages along the back part of the shops, and separated from them by only a thin board petition, through which are cut, at short distances, along the whole length of the shops, numerous small apertures, for the purpose of looking through from the avenues upon the convicts in the shops. In these avenues, (so constructed as to admit but little light) are stationed several officers, who are constantly passing and repassing from one extremity of the prison to the other, with a full view of the shops, and at the same time unseen and unheard by any of the convicts or keepers in the shops. This devise has been found to operate as a most effectual guard against

forbidden intercourse among the convicts. As these keepers are secretly passing from shop to shop, through these darkened avenues, at all hours of the day, no convict knows, at any time, but that the invisible eye of a keeper is fastened directly on him. Thus the apertures in the partition between the avenue and the shop, are like so many eyes constantly fixed on the convicts; and the effect is, to make them feel, at all times, that any violation of the rules of the institution, whether under the eye of their shopkeeper or not, must be at the risk of incurring a severe penalty. Other uses of the avenue will be noticed, in describing the duties of the officers. It may, however, be remarked here. that it answers an important purpose in passing visiters through the prison without going into the shops, which would not only produce confusion, by diverting the attention of the convicts, but in many cases, present strong temptations to them to violate the rules, and thus expose them to punishment.

Duties of the Deputy Keeper.

This officer has the general and constant superintendence of all but the pecuniary affairs of the prison, especially its police and discipline; and is responsible to the agent and keeper, that his orders, and all the internal rules and regulations, be promptly and strictly observed. He is constantly moving about in the interior of the prison, visiting irregularly, and without notice, the hospital, kitchen, shops, yards, and all departments of the prison. He has the immediate direction and control of all the assistant keepers and guard; and by frequently passing through the inspection avenues, in the rear of the shops, he exercises a secret supervision, not only over the convicts, but also over all the assistant keepers, to see that they are vigilant and attentive to their duty, and to detect any abuse of their power in punishing the convicts. He also frequently visits the lodging departments and the hospital, during the evening, and occasionally in the night, to see that all is right, and that the assistant keepers and guards, on night duty, are vigilant and faithful.

Duties of Assistant Keepers.

The assistant keepers have the immediate charge of the convicts, in the various shops and yards, while at their labor. Their duties will be more fully developed in describing the police regulations in detail: but it is proper to make some general remarks under this head.

These officers, when on duty, are required to govern them. selves in strict conformity to the rules of the institution; to maintain a uniform gravity and dignity of deportment, calculated to inspire the convicts with respect and confidence; and to avoid every thing like levity, passion or petulance. And at all times, when within the walls of the prison, they are to refrain from singing, whistling, scuffling, loud laughing, and provoking witticisms, or sarcasms on each other; and in all their intercourse, they are to [Assem. No. 199.]

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