Report of the Committee: With an Appendix

against property, punishments rational in their character, certain in their operation, consistent with religious principle, and congenial with public opinion. That the experience derived as well from the best prisons in this country as from those in the United States, satisfactorily proves that a judicious system of penitentiary discipline is eminently calculated to deter, correct, and reclaim; and that this Meeting earnestly trusts that on the assembling of Parliament this important subject will receive that attention to which it is entitled, from its close connexion with the interests of humanity and the public welfare.

It was moved by Samuel Tuke, Esq.; and seconded by Samuel Hoare, Esq.

THAT it is deeply to be deplored that the practice still continues in many prisons of retaining persons committed for criminal offences, but who have been tried and acquitted on the ground of insanity: that it appears by returns which have been laid before Parliament, there are not less than twentyseven County Prisions, besides those belonging to local jurisdictions, in which are to be found prisoners in this afflicted state, some of them having been in confinement for various periods of eight, twelve, sixteen, and even twenty-two years. That the association of a prison, under such distressing circumstances, cannot fail to aggravate the sufferings and confirm the malady of these objects of wretchedness, who are thus deprived of that peculiar treatment which is alone adapted to their situation, while they are exposed, during the remaining period of life, to the brutality and sport of the thoughtless and depraved.

THAT the condition of a large proportion of juvenile offenders on their discharge from prison is often such as to excite great compassion. Without friends, character, or the means of obtaining an honest subsistence, hundreds are neces

information-in preparing models of prison buildings-and in recommending those plans for the regulation of gaols, which experience has proved best calculated to inspire the criminal with a dread of imprisonment, and induce lim, on his liberation, to abandon his guilty habits.

Crime has, of late years, extensively increased among the youth of the most indigent classes in the metropolis. A large proportion of these juvenile offenders, on their discharge from prison, are perfectly destitute. Without money, character, or friends, how can they subsist? Where can they procure employment? Many hundreds are thus abandoned to want, and have no other means of procuring food than by the renewal of their depredations. But, although their minds are in a state of the darkest ignorance and the grossest vice, they have not unfrequently a latent yet strong desire to forsake their criminal habits; and in the course of their visits to the several prisons, the Committee meet with many whose entire destitution, and earnest assurances of penitence, render them, in an especial manner, objects of compassion. The Committee have continued, for some years past, to extend relief to distressed boys. A considerable number have been received into the Temporary Refuge,—an Institution formed by the Committee to facilitate the reform of Juvenile Offenders. As the experience of the Committee becomes enlarged, the stronger is their conviction of the beneficial effects of this useful asylum, where the friendless outcast is admitted, without interest or recommendation, with no other qualification than that which his own sorrows present, and his feelings of penitence supply. He is placed at a useful employment, and taught a trade. He is trained up in habits of cleanliness, regularity, and order; subjected to vigilant inspection, instructed in moral and religious duties, and permitted to remain, until industry, education, and the force of good impressions, shall in some degree have subdued the strength of criminal desire. When his conduct affords good ground to hope that he may with safety return into the world, endeavours are made to procure for him a situation, removed as far as possible from temptation, and such as may afford a reasonable prospect of his becoming an honest and useful member of society.

Limited as have been the funds of the Society, it has happily been instrumental in saving a considerable number of youths, who, on their discharge from prison, have been in urgent want, and desirous to quit their vicious habits. The Committee can now look round on many, reputably settled, conducting themselves exemplarily; and who, but for the care thus extended, must inevitably have recurred to criminal practices for support.

Deeply impressed with these considerations, it is with pain the Committee feel compelled to state, that the expenses necessarily incurred in the prosecution of these various objects have entirely exhausted the funds of the Institution. These pecuniary difficulties are of a nature so serious, that unless the friends of the Society now generously come forward with their benevolent aid, the labours of the Committee can no longer be continued. It has not been without considerable reluctance that they have thus called the public attention to the objects of the Society, and the peculiar circumstances in which it is now placed; and they appeal for aid, with peculiar confidence, to those whose enlightened sentiments on the subject of Prison Discipline are in accordance with the views of the Society, and whose steady cooperation will alone contribute to its effectual support.

EIGHTH REPORT

THE. СОМ МІТТЕЕ

OF THE

SOCIETY

FOR

THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRISON DISCIPLINE,

AND FOR THE

REFORMATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

1832.

WITH AN

APPENDIX.

No rank of life, no uprightness of heart, no prudence or circumspection of conduct, should tempt any man to conclude that he may not some time or other be deeply interested in Sir Michael Foster. these researches."

London:

SOLD BY J. AND A. ARCH, CORNHILL;

LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW;

J. HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY; TREUTTEL, WURTZ, AND CO., SOHO SQUARE;

D. LIZARS, EDINBURGH; AND R. M. TIMS, DUBLIN.

THE PIN
PUDI

187074

A Donation of Ten Guineas, or an Annual Subscription of One Guinea, constitutes a Member of the Society.

Donations and Annual Subscriptions are received by the Treasurer, T. F. BUXTON, Esq. M. P., Spitalfields, London; by the Members of the Committee, or by the following Bankers.-Messrs. Barclay, Tritton, and Co., 54, Lombard Street; Barnetts, Hoares, and Co., 62, Lombard Street; Drummond and Co., Charing Cross; Gosling and Co., Fleet Street; Hammersley and Co., 69, Pall-Mall; Smith, Payne, and Smiths, George Street, Mansion House; and by the Collector, Mr. W. Eddrup, 51, Houndsditch, London.