third floor of the same size of those last mentioned. These rooms were formerly known and used as the "debtors' department,” and are not considered sufficiently secure for the safe-keeping of criminals. They are used, however, for the confinement of boys, the sick, and such as have but a short time to remain, and who have but little inducement to escape. What has been stated in speaking of the cells of the want of sewerage, water-closets, and the like, also applies to those rooms. You are respectfully referred to the report of the physician to the jail, a copy of which is hereto annexed, for further particulars upon this subject, and other valuable information. The guards, physician, and employés have performed their duties creditably, and good order and rigid discipline have been maintained. The number of prisoners in jail on the 1st day of November, 1869, was.. There were committed during the year 81 1,261 162 1,504 137 19 14 12 Of the above there have been convicted by the courts Of whom there were sent to the Reform School of the District of Columbia Died in jail .... There have been released during the year. Now confined in jail...... The daily average number of prisoners The greatest number in jail at one time was 2 3 1 1 403 No prisoner escaped from jail during the year, although frequent attempts to do so were made. The expenditures have been as follows: Subsistence Medicines and disinfectants Fuel and gas. Beds, bedding, and clothing. Blanks, blank books, and stationery. Hardware, tinware, tubs, buckets, and cooking utensils Transportation of prisoners to Albany penitentiary. $10,685 01 223 25 1,842 46 2,387 22 289 95 1,068 41 132 95 1,583 42 Burial of dead Removal of sick to hospital... $16.00 3.00 18,231 67 Which is $3,663 15 less than last year's expenditures. The same number of guards, physician, and cooks have been employed as last year; their salaries amount to 25,360 00 SIR: I cannot report favorably as to the health of the prison as in other years. We have had more than the usual number of those diseases which are consequent upon the depraved habits of life of those who are sent here as prisoners. This is exhibited particularly in the increase of cases of syphilis of severe form, primary, secondary, and tertiary; much disease of chronic character from the same cause. We have had, in common with the population of the city, more than the suual number of miasmatic diseases; also, those arising from ordinary climatic causes, more or less severe. The greatest attention has been paid to the cleanliness of the prisoners, to their diet, regimen, &c., and to keeping as pure as possible the atmosphere of the prison by the use of disinfectants, whitewashing, &c. As much ventilation as was possible has been secured with the means at our disposal and as the building would permit. Indeed, it is mainly to these precautions that we are indebted for the health of the inmates; for, constructed as the building is, and crowded as it is always, if these measures were not rigidly pursued, we should have pestilence either in the form of typhus fever or some such disease as is incident to the overcrowding of human beings. My most sincere thanks are due to the guards and the attendants of the jail for their cheerful and unremitting endeavors to aid me in the discharge of my duties as physician. We have had three deaths and one birth during the year. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, J. S. CROCKER, N. YOUNG, M. D., Physician United States Jail, D. C. Warden United States Jail, D. C. |