UNDER THE DIRECTION OF "THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS,"

INSTITUTED 1787.

JANUARY, 1872.

PHILADELPHIA:

J. B. CHANDLER, PRINTER, 306 & 308 CHESTNUT STREET, [GIRARD BUILDING.]

(-40:11, 15-)

ROOMS OF THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY

FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS.

At a Stated Meeting of the Acting Committee of "THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS," held on the evening of the Twelfth Month (December) 21st, 1871, the Editorial Board (appointed to take charge of the Journal and papers, and the Annual Report), consisting of JOSEPH R. CHANDLER, JAMES J. BARCLAY, A. JACKSON OURT, M. D., CHARLES ELLIS and REV. E. R. BEADLE, D. D., presented the draft of the Annual Report, which being read by the Chairman, was approved by the Committee, and directed to be laid before the ensuing meeting of the Society.

At a Special Meeting of the Society, held Twelfth Month 21st, 1871, the Report was presented by the Chairman of the Editorial Board, considered and approved, and referred to the Committee who prepared it, to have one thousand copies printed, with authority to make such alterations and additions as they may think proper.

The Report to be signed by the President and Secretary.

JOHN J. LYTLE,

SECRETARY.

Subjects for action of, and discussion by, the Committee and the Society,

One of the best means of alleviating the miseries of public

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All questions of social science within the province of the
Society,

Intoxicating drinks the greatest feeder of prison cells,
The burglar and gambler avoid them when they have business
on hand,.

Yet acknowledge them as the first cause of a criminal life,
The Society sympathizes with all efforts to promote tem-

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EASTERN PENITENTIARY.

The best field for philanthropic labor,

The Warden,.

Number and character of visits to Penitentiary by the Com

Grant from the Legislature for aiding discharged convicts,
Organized action of the Society for its proper distribution,
Appointment of Agent for that purpose,.

The benefits resulting from this fund,
Reasons why it should continue yearly and increase in amount, 19

The evils of the "self-supporting" system,

The successful efforts of the Agent at the Penitentiary,
Extracts from his report of cases,

COUNTY PRISON.

The Committee active, but not sufficiently numerous,
Obstacles to contend with,

The ill effects of companionship amongst prisoners,

The need of an appropriation to aid discharged prisoners

felt also here,

Fund bequeathed by J. W. Pemberton,.

Legislation required to complete its transfer for this purpose,
The number of female prisoners,

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Their crimes, and the result of efforts to reclaim them, .
The encouragement from prospective pecuniary means for

aiding prisoners,

Moral instruction. &c.,

Number and character of visits,

Arrangements for the care of female discharged prisoners,
These efforts greatly aided by ladies,