Condition of the Common Jails. 91 



ments for the holding of such an international congress. He 

 has since visited the different governments of Europe, and has 

 everywhere found an entire willingness on the part of these 

 governments to co-operate in the movement, and, as a result, 

 arrangements have been made for the assembling of such a con- 

 gress in the city of London, on the 3d day of July of the pres- 

 ent year. 



There is but little doubt that all the governments of Europe 

 will be represented in this body, and it is earnestly hoped that 

 representatives from all the States of the Union will also be 

 present. 



As one of the results of the investigations which have been 

 made in relation to the condition and wants of the criminal 

 classes, some most astounding developments have been made 

 as to the condition and influence of the common jails of the 

 land. 



In a brief paper of this character, I shall attempt nothing 

 more than to present, chiefly in the language of others, a few 

 facts and suggestions touching the matter under discussion. 



In the report of the " Special commissioners to examine the 

 penal reformatory and charitable institutions " of the state of 

 Michigan, made to the Governor of that state during the past 

 year, is found the following : 



" Ours lias been the experience of all who have undertaken to examine 

 the actual condition of county jails, whether in this or in other states. 



" Their condition is wretched beyond all power of description, and be- 

 yond all conception of those who have not had the experience of their 

 own senses in the matter. , 



" There are, of course, marked differences in the condition of the jails ; 

 some few, a very few, are subject only in a slight degree to the sanitary 

 objections made, but we speak of their condition in general. 



" The defects in them are not owing so much to the manner in which 

 they are kept, as to inherent defects in their construction, their dilapida- 

 ted condition, and a fatal vice in the common jail system. 



" For the most part, our sheriffs are both humane and competent men, 

 and as a general rule the prisoners are well fed, and treated with a rea- 

 sonable degree of personal kindness. 



