90 Wisconsin Academy of ^Sciences, Arts, mid Letters. 



THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COMMON 

 JAILS OF THE COUNTRY. 



BY SAMUEL D. HASTINGS, 

 Secretary Wisconsiu Board of Charities and lleform. 



The questions as to wliat shall be done with the criminal 

 classes ? how can society be best protected from their depreda- 

 tions ? how can their numbers be decreased ? what can be done 

 for their reforaiation ? how can their condition be improved ? 

 and others of a similar character have occupied the thoughts 

 of not a few of the statesmen, philanthropists, and christians, 

 not only of our own country but of all the civilized countries 

 of the world. Prison associations have been organized in dif- 

 ferent States of the Union and in different countries of Eu- 

 rope ; able reports have been made by these associations and 

 by legislative committees ; a national prison congress was held 

 in the city of Cincinnati, in the month of October, 1870, from 

 which emanated papers prepared by some of the ablest and 

 most learned men of this country and of Europe. Through 

 these various instrumentalities, and through these different 

 sources, much valuable information, in answer to the import- 

 ant questions suggested, has been spread abroad, and much 

 has been done to enlighten the public mind touching these 

 great matters. 



One of the results of the national prison congi'css held at 

 Cincinnati was the adoption of initiatory measures for the call- 

 ing of an international congress. 



The Rev. Dr. E. C. Wines, for many years the correspond- 

 ing secretary of the Prison Association of New York, was a]3- 

 pointed a commissioner or agent to make the necessary arrange- 



