Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

.-:--T"-------.-- --., ? , . ' est? among themselves, and are strictly forbidden to treat each other with disrespect or any ungentlemanly epithets. . 7. They shall not, while on duty* hold conversation with ?acl? other, nor with the workmen or foreman, except such as, may be necessary in the discharge of their duties. 8. Neither shall they be engaged, while on duty, in reading, wrl4? ing, other than in making necessary notes, or in any other employ? ment calculated to interfere with constant watchfulness and vigi? lance. 9. They shall not, under any circumstances, allow prisoners to speak to them upon any subject not immediately connected with their duty, employment or wanta , 10. They flhall keep the convicts under their charge diligently at work at the several occupations nt which they aro employed. 11. They shall not permit them lo hold any conversation with each other, or with any person whatever, except those allowed by law, nor to communicate with each other by signs or signals. 12. They shall require the greatest possible cleanliness in the convicts, their persons and clothing, and in their working and sleep? ing apartments. 13. They shall instruct them in all rules of the prison for their government, and admonish them on the least appearance of insubor? dination. 14. They shall not punish or strike a convict with a cane or stick, or with the fist or feet, or any weapon, unless it be in self-defence or to quoll an insurrection; nor shall they use any profane or inde? corous language to them or in their presence, but shall uniformly treat ?hem in a kind and humane manner. 15. Should a prisoner or prisoners attempt to escape from the yard, or a guard, he shall, if possible, be ordered to halt, and on failing to do so, he must be shot. Should any revolt or attempt at revolt be made by the prisoners, if necessary to quell it, they must be killed by the guard. 16. They shall not allow their prisonors to leave their work with? out permission, nor shall they allow them to speak to or gaze at visitors. 17. They shall not receive from or deliver to a prisoner any article or thing whatever, without the knowledge or consent of the Super? intendent or his deputy. nUTIES OF THE PHYSICIAN'. 1. The Physician shall visit the Penitentiary at least once every day, and personally examine every sick and complaining prisonei that may be reported to him as such, or whom he may find in tht cells or hospital, and shall prescribe such medical treatment as theil cases require. 2. He shall keep a book, to be called tho "Hospital Register," ir which shall be entered the names of all the prisoners sick or com plaining, who. require medical treatment, with the diseases of each and his prescription therefor. 3. He shall see that all proper medicino is administered to those who are sick, and perform all surgical operations that may b< necessary, and discharge all other duties that properly pertain t< his profession, and, if necessity require it, to pay extra visits; bu no surgical operation shall be performed upon any prisoner withou his consent, or tho consent of the Governor, or two of the Commis .sioners of the Penitentiary. 4. When a prisoner dies, the physician shall record the nature o the complaint, and all the circumstances connected therewith tba he may deem proper and necessary. 5. He shall, in all cases, direct the (bet to be prepared for tin sick; and should it happen that his direction or prescription bi neglected, ho shall report the same to the Superintendent. 6. He shall, as often as may be necessary, furnish the Superin tendent a memorandum of such medicines and other supplies a may be required for the hospital. DUTTES OF THE PRISONERS. 1. They are to labor faithfully and diligently, to obey all order promptly, and to observe unbroken silence. 2. They are not to exchange a wqrd with each other under an; pretence, nor communicate any intelligence to each other"in writing they aro not to exchange looks, winks, laugh with each other, o make any use of any signs, except such as are necessary to couve their wants to the waiters. 3. They must approach their keepers in a respectful manner, an be brief in their communications; they arc not to speak to them o ordinai-y topics, nor address them, except when it becomes necessar in relation to their work, or their necessary wantR. 4. They shall not at any time, nor under any pretence, withot leave, speak to any person who docs nobbelong to tho institutioi nor receive from them any letters, papers, tobacco, or anythin whatever; they are not permitted to leave tho place where they ai put to work, nor the work they are set to do, without the speeii permission or orders of the proper officer; they aro not to suffi their attention to be taken from their work to look at visitors, nc are they to gaze or look at them when unemployed. 5. No convict is wilfully or carelessly to injure his work, tool wearing apparel, bedding, or any other article belonging to or abov the prison ; nor will any prisoner bo suffered to mark, injure, or i any way deface the walls or any part of his cell, or any other rooi he may bo in; nor is he to execute his work badly, when ho has tl ability to do it well. G. No convict shall receive or transmit any letter or paper, excej under the inspection of the Superintendent; nor shall such convi converso with any person, oxcept with tho special permission of tl Superintendent, and not longer than five minutes, and then only i presence of a guard; as also with the officers of tho prison c lousiness. 7. Each prisoner, so far as practicable, shall occupy the same c( every night. As they enter their respective cells, the convict mu stand in front of and facing the door of his cell, until the bar is 1 down by his keeper. 8. They shall always march in military step, and in such order may bo designated by tho officer in charge. While In their eel and while marching, ai d at all other times, all unnecessary noi must be avoided. 9. If a prisoner becomes sick, or from any cause feels unable i work, he ?halLjreport himself to the officer under whose charge he may bo. 10. For ali wilful violations of tho above rules, punishment will certainly bo, inflicted, IL If any prisoner attempts to escape from the yard or a guard, he shall, if possible, be ordered to halt, and on failing to do so, ho must he shot by the guard. The prisoners are forbidden to go near the fence, and any violation of this rule will bo considered as an attempt to escape. 12. In caso of any revolt or attempted revolt, if necessary to quell it, the parties engaged may be killed. DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES. 1. Foremen and other employees shall hold no intercourse with any convict other than those superintended by them ; nor upon any subject whatever other than necessary to the pr rnor execution o? i thc woilu 2. Their intercourse with the officers of the prison shall be such only as is necessarily connected with the prosecution of the business under their charge. 3. They are not, under any circumstances, to iuflict any punish? ment, or to enforce the discipline in any manner, upon any convict whatever. 4. Thej- are to report to the keepera having charge of the convict in their department, all violations of the rules and regulations of the prison. 5. Tliey shall not apply any harsh or opprobrious epithets to the convicts, nor use any profane language in their presence. 6. Tho teamsters or other persons in the employ of contractors, who may occasionally visit the prison, shall not be permitted to speak to a convict without permission of an officer. 8. All employees will be required to obligate themselves to assist the guard in preventing an attempted escape of a prisoner, or to quell a revolt, whenever called upon. (ir. NEK A I, RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. No aident spirits, wines, strong beer or ale, are upon any occa? sion to be used bj* any officer, contractor or employee, in or about tho prison; neither are they to suffer any other person to bring the same within the prison walls, except for the hospital, to be used for medicine, under the direction of the Superintendent or Physician. 2. The convicts shall have, at all times, the Liberty of speaking to the Governor, or the Commissioners of the Penitentiary, when present at the prison. 3. Any officer who shall sleep while at his post, or in charge of any other duty, or shall neglect the same, or who shall behave im? properly, shall be discharged from the institution. 4. Tho guard must yield that ready obedience to their superior officers, so necessary to secure the beneficial results of effective co? operation and good government 5. They shall not be permitted to have any unnecessary conversa? tion in the dining-room, while the prisoners are at their meals. 6. No person shall be allowed to be present in the washing-room, while prisoners are being washed and changing clothes, except officers of the Penitentiary. 7. No officer of the prison, or other person, shall purchase for him or themselves, any provisions, fuel or supplies, or any article in connection with tho supplies purchased for the prison ; nor shall officers or other persons use for themselves or family, or purchase any provisions, fuel or supplies, or any article whatever, bought for the use of the institution. 8. Convicts who are well behaved throughout their term of im? prisonment, not wilfully violating any of the rules aud regulations, and are recommended to the Governor by the Superintendent for their exemplary conduct, shall have their term shortened one twelfth, as reward for their good deportment. 9. In enforcing the discipline of the prison, the Superintendent will proportion the punishment to the offence committed; and ho is authorized to inflict any punishment authorized by the army regula? tions of the United States, or in the naval service of the United States. 10. The Superintendent is required to make any rules or orders which may be necessary for tho proper enforcement of the fore? going. 11. Until tlie prison walls are completed, the Superintendent is authorized to uso the ball and chain, or chain gang, or other manacles, to prevent?the escape of prisoners while at work, or when not confined in their cells. In cases of insubordination, revolt or attempt to escape, tho convict may bc placed in irons in his cell. 12. It shall be the duty of tho Superintendent to dismiss prompt? ly his assistant, or any guard, for neglect of any duty required of them ; and in case of the escape of any prisoner, whether tho same be voluntary or negligence, he shall arrest said assistant or guard, an I prosecute him before tho District or Circuit Court for the same. SUPPLEMENTAL RULES OF THE PENITENTIARY. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, COLUMBIA, S. C., 30th July, 18G7. The Superintendent will pay to each convict upon his discharge, who has been recommended for discharge, under paragraph 8 oJ General Rules and Regulations, or who has been pardoned by thc Governor, the sum of two dollars. Visitors will not be permitted within the enclosure of the Peni? tentiary, except such persons UH may have business with officers oi the institution, without a permit from the Executive Department, oi from ono of the Commissioners of tho Penitentiary. No visitors will be admitted on Sunday except ministers o: religion. (Signed) JAMES L. ORR, Governor. SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE S. C. P., COLUMBIA, S. C., May 1, 18G8. His Ejceelleiwy James L. Orr, Governor of South Carolina. Sin: I herewith make this report, as supplemental to my repon made to you, January 14, 18G8, "Of the progresa of the work am condition of the South Carolina Penitentiary, from its commence ment, November 14, 18GG, to December 31, 1867." Since January 1, 18G8, to this date, but little progress has beei made in the actual building of cells; but a large amount of material conBisting of cast and wrought iron work and cut stone, has been prepared ready for building-enough to complete forty-six ufijls. With our facilities and improved appliances, tho work of buiSurg is light, and far outstrips the preparation of the necessary material. Hence a close scrutiny of the progress of tho work will reveal the fact that during one month many cells aro built, while again the next month probably none are completed. Building constitutes but a small proportion of tho expense of masonry. Besides preparing the material for forty-six cells, we have pre? pared and put in the heavy foundations for tho yard wall on tho South side. The great necessity of tho yard wall can hardly be over-estimated. It is highly important to have a stone fence around tho prison, at as early a day as possible. The convicts are increasing rapidly in number; this, with thc wooden enclosure here, compels me to increase tho guard, in order to prevent outbreaks and escapes. I am pushing this work forward as rapidly as the limited means at my disposal will allow. Since my last report, rapid progress has been mado in substitut? ing the convicts' labor for the hired labor. By reference to that report, you will see that I expressed the opinion, that by July 1, 1868, convict labor would entirely supercede hired labor. I have the pleasure to report, that by tho efforts of the foremen in the diffoi-ent departments, in teaching those under their direc? tion, that we aro now independent of hired labor. Our convict mechanics arc doing all tho work required of them. The weaving room, tailor shop and shoe shop are in successful operation, and have aided much in reducing tho expenso of maintaining the convicts. A large machine and wood working shop has been built, and will afford facilities for doing iron and wood work by convict labor, at a large saving of expense to the State. A quarry is in successful operation on tho penitentiary lot, from which an excellent quality of stone is obtained. This stone is lifted from its bed to tho car, and hoisted into tho upper yard without boat transportation, as was necessary in our old quarry. Allow me to remark, in this connection, that without the use of the canal and boats, for transportation of stone, ?fcc, and the water power to hoist them into the upper yard, that it would havo been impracticable to have prosecuted the work with tho limited funds appropriated. Even with the natural advantages we enjoy, I find that it is now, with the large number of convicts here, almost im? possible to provide for the absolutely necessary expenditures made each month. The strictest economy is required in ail departments, yet the sum ($6,500) allowed me to prosecute the work and main? taining the convicta each month, is inadequate. If this amount was drawn from the Treasury in current funds, then it would be sufficient ; but by reference to sheet C, you will see that the discount on the Bills Receivable, issued to me by the Treasurer, amounts to $5,882.72. The original estimate of $6,500, in currents funds per month, is amply sufficient to carry on the work; and I respectfully request that it be allowed. If furnished with adequate funds, the work can be carried on ten per cent, cheaper. Tho whole number of convicts in confinement is 232. For the detail of expenditures in maintaining convicts and prosecuting the work, see accompanying sheets, marked A, B, C, D and E. It will be seen from sheet B, that tho aggregate expenditures has been $23,004.76, while the actual value of material and work done (sheet D) amounts to $26,219.47. This shows an excess of $3,214.71. But by reference to my last report, it will bo seen that there was $4,450.00 worth of material on hand, which amount must be taken into this estimate ; and when considered, makes the actual expendi? tures greater by this sum-this, then, shows the expenditures greater than the value of work done and material on hand, by the sum of $1,285.29. This result shows that the convict has not only sustained himself by his labor, but has placed the State in possession of buildings and material nearly equal in value to the entire expenditure in carrying on tho work of building the penitentiary and maintaining thdQf convicts. Tho average daily cost of maintaining a convict (including diet? ing, clothing, guarding, medical attention, ?fcc.,) has been 34 cents, since January 1st, or an average from tho first receiving of convicts, to May 1, 18G8, of 41 cents per day. In conclusion, allow mc to say that this institution, founded under your auspices, must not only provo of great usefulness to society, in deterring from crime, but if properly managed, will in a few years be not a burden, but a source of revenue to tho State. I thank you and the Commissioners of this great work, for the continued confidence and kindness extended to me in my official capacity. Respect fully, THOMAS B. LEE, JR., Engineer and Architect, And Acting Superintendent S. C. P. Abut rad of Receipts, Expenditures*, Work- done, Material on Jiand, Support of Officers, Guard and Convicts, tte. From the 17th day of November, 1866, to thc 31st of December, 18(57, the total expense of tho building materials employed, the salaries of officials, physician's bill, subsistence of the prisoners and guards, and pay of thc latter, amounted to.$72,139 87 While the value of material and work actually done, including the buildings erected, ma sonly, brick and iron, the 104 cells already completed, the walls, stone quarried, ?fcc, amounts to.$56,471 79 To this add the value of derricks, cranes, in? clined planes, trucks, ?fcc, on the ground and paid for. 5,000 00 Fencing office and guard buildings, hospital, shops, &c. 5,050 00 Materials, provisions, clothing, medicines, Sec. 4,45(1 00 Developing and opening canal. 1,200 00 Making a total of.$72,171 79 The permanent work has been estimated on tho basis upon which such work could have been secured by contract. It will be per? ceived that the value of tho work actually done, and the material on hand, is greater than tho amount expended; and let it be re? membered that the sum of $72,139.87, includes not only the expense of material, labor, ?fcc, but also that of subsisting tho guard and convicts, the payment of the salaries of the officials, thc provision of medical attendance, ?xe.