FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF PENITENTIARIES, OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA. FOR THE YEAR 1871. To His Excellency the Right Honorable JOHN, BARON LISGAR, G. C. B., G. C. M. G., &c., &c., Governor General of Canada. &c., &c. &c., MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: In accordance with the Act 31st Victoria, Cap. 75, the Directors have the honor to submit the Annual Report on the state of the Penitentiaries of the Dominion, subject to their supervision, for the year 1871. KINGSTON PENITENTIARY. One of the most noteworthy facts in connection with this Institution is the large falling off in the number of its inmates. Here, as in the other Penitentiaries of the Dominion, there has been a steady decrease in the number of committals for some years. The Directors do not flatter themselves that this is entirely, or even mainly, due to the reformatory nature of the improvements introduced, beneficial, as, they may feel assured, they have proved; it would seem rather to be the natural consequence of the increased prosperity of the country, when work and highly remunerative wages are within the reach of all. The number of re-committals has also decreased, and in still greater proportion; on the whole they have had much reason to be pleased with the management of the Institution during the year. As will be seen on reference to the Warden's Report, the expenditure has exceeded that of the preceding year, notwithstanding the lesser number of convicts. This may, in part, be accounted for from an advance in price of several article which enter largely into consumption, for instance, flour and meat; the increase rate of salaries paid to the officials as hereafter explained; the largely increased use of light found advisable, and the greater consumption of fire-wood. |