USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > History of the Albany penitentiary. > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
112
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
a different aspect. The men were more intelli- gent than those previously received; while this. with the length of their sentences, afforded greater hope of usefulness among them.
A few weeks after the arrival of those prisoners a gentlemen was sent from Washington, by the secretary of the interior, to visit and inspect the Penitentiary. examine its discipline, the condition of the prisoners sent there from the District of Columbia, and their employment.
As this report was from a disinterested Inspec- tor, and one acquainted with convict institutions, it is given as addressed to, the secretary of the interior.
WASHINGTON CITY, November 13, 1862.
Hon. CALEB B. SMITH,
Secretary of the Interior :
Sir: In compliance with your instructions of the 29th ultimo, I visited the Penitentiary of Albany county, in the state of New York, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the con- viets who had been transferred to it from the Penitentiary of the District of Columbia, how they are kept and subsisted, the character of the disci- pline, the nature of their employment, and other incidental and collateral matters.
113
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
Gen. Pilsbury, the intelligent and gentlemanly Superintendent, afforded me every facility in obtaining the information I desired, and was anxious that I should thoroughly understand his system of managing such prisons. With that view he took me all through the building, and as we passed along, gave me the amplest and most satisfactory explanations of everything I saw.
The Penitentiary is eligibly situated about half a mile from the Capitol, in a lot of twelve acres of ground set in grass and beautifully undulating, which belongs to the Institution and prevents the minds of its inmates from being distracted from their employment by the hum and bustle of the city. The building is very imposing in its out- ward appearance, and in approaching it, the pur- pose to which it is applied would not likely occur to a stranger. Its interior arrangements are appropriate in every respect and admit of no improvements. The ventilation is perfect, and the atmosphere as pure as the out-door air. The plan is very simple, but precisely adapted to a prison. Instead of entering into a detailed expla- nation, I herewith submit a drawing which will give a better idea of it than could be derived from any written description. The most striking fea-
-
114
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
ture of the establishment is the entire cleanliness of every department and of the convicts them- selves.
On entering the workshops, the impression is produced that they are neat manufacturing esta- blishments, filled with industrious artisans, who are working for wages instead of from compulsion and as a punishment. I walked through the shops, to and fro, and not an eye was diverted from the work engaging the attention of the con- victs, and it is doubtful whether a single indivi- vidual was conscious of my presence. It can scarcely be believed that such discipline and sub- ordination could exist in an establishment of the kind, and I should be incredulous of the fact had I not been an eye-witness of it. Strict attention is paid to the sanitary, and moral and religious condition of the prisoners. Sickness is of very rare occurrence, but whenever a convict complains of being indisposed, he is immediately removed to a comfortable hospital in the building, where he receives the attention of a skillful physician. Every Sabbath, religious services are held in the chapel, and all the prisoners, male and female, attend. The discipline is rigid, but not cruel or harsh. Every one understands that the rules
115
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
and regulations must be observed, and that the slightest infraction of them will not be overlooked. The food is nutritious and wholesome, and all receive as much as they can consume. It consists of fresh and salt beef, pork, potatoes and various other vegetables, bean, pea and rice soups, mush and molasses, bread, etc. The clothing is comfort- able and adapted to the seasons. During the cold weather the building in every department is well warmed. No conversation is allowed between the prisoners at any time, and each is required to attend to his own business and nothing else. The only employment at present carried on is shoe- making. They manufacture shoes for women and children, and for the army. The labor is let to contractors at a moderate price per day, and the proceeds go into the general fund for the sup- port of the Institution. The Superintendent is paid a liberal compensation and occupies the cen- tre of the building, which is as comfortable a resi- dence as any gentleman could desire. His whole time is devoted to the interest of the Penitentiary, and he gives such general satisfaction that the tenure of his office is not affected by the muta- tions of parties. His entire management is, in my judgment, as perfect as it can be, and from
116
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
inquiry. made elsewhere, I learn that the Albany Penitentiary is generally regarded as a model in- stitution of the kind. I saw all the convicts from the Penitentiary of the District of Columbia and conversed freely with some of them. They made no complaints, other than that the discipline was more rigid than in the Penitentiary from which they had been removed and that they were not allowed the same privileges they there enjoyed. So far as I could judge they appeared to be as contented as could be expected of persons con- fined in a prison.
The allowance for clothing and traveling ex- penses home to the convicts on being discharged. will have to be paid by the government. The Superintendent wishes you to fix and advise him of the sum you may deem proper for that pur- pose. Less than ten dollars would not answer. It is customary in that, and I understand in simi- lar institutions, to make such an allowance. Some of the citizens of Albany were apprehensive that. on the expiration of the terms for which they were sentenced, the prisoners from this district would be turned loose upon their community; but. on being assured that the government would furnish them with the means of conveying them
117
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
to the places to which they belong. and that the Superintendent would start them on their way home, this source of disquietude was removed and there is now no objection to our prisoners being sent there.
I herewith return the letters addressed to you by Gen. Pilsbury, which accompanied your letter of instructions to me.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. B. BLAKE, an Inspector of the Penitentiary for the District of Columbia.
From that time this Penitentiary has been re- cognized as, The United States Penitentiary for the District of Columbia, and convicts have been received therefrom.
As might be expected the result of that year's labor was much more encouraging than any one ventured to anticipate at its commencement, and presented a balance in favor of the Institution, of $3,515.13, and its financial prosperity has ever since been uninterrupted and increasing, and has greatly contributed to its material improvement.
16
118
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
ENLARGEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
IT has been before stated that the Penitentiary, when it passed from the hands of the commission- ers appointed by the legislature for its erection, had one hundred and fifty-four cells, and that provision was made for their increase as neces- sity might require. Though the commissioners did not then consider the building finished, as it should have been, still they did not expect such an early call for enlargement as was made. In the very first report of the Inspectors after speaking of the two work shops which had that year been erected, one hundred and fifty by thirty-two feet each, they added : "It is proper, however, to mention that in consequence of the rapid influx of prisoners, it will soon be, and in fact, already is necessary to erect more cells for their accommodation."
This necessity soon compelled attention. In his third annual report to the Inspectors, the Super- intendent said : "The whole number of prisoners
119
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
received the past year has been six hundred and twenty-seven, being one hundred and twenty-nine more than was received during the previous year.
"Thus it will be seen that the number of pri- soners, both male and female, has been greater than the number of cells for their accommodation. There are but one hundred cells for the males and forty for the females. It has, therefore, been necessary during the whole of this period to place in a large number of instances, and habitually, two prisoners in one cell. From thirty to sixty of the cells have been thus constantly occupied. This practice is detrimental to the system adopted, subverts and counteracts every effort to benefit those thus confined, and but for constant watch- fulness and vigilance on the part of the subordi- nate officers, would be destructive of all discipline. It is practicable to construct twenty-four cells in the area or space at the north end of the male wing, but it would not make the additional num- ber necessary, besides it would interfere with and destroy not only the appearance of the hall, but lessen the space for light and air. If the autho- rities should decide not to have this space filled up with cells, as it ought not to be, an extension of the wing is necessary. An addition of fifty feet
120
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
to the building, will give room for eighty cells, which would make in all one hundred and seventy- six cells in the block or wing, for the accommoda- tion of male prisoners. The expense or cost of an addition of this description, will be about $8,500.
"It will also be seen that an addition of forty cells is necessary for the separate confinement of the female prisoners; this additional number can be erected and fitted up in the north wing at a cost of about $2,500."
Sanctioned by the joint authorities of the city and the county, this alteration was effected the fol- lowing year. The south wing of the building in which the mens' cells are found, was extended fifty feet, and eighty additional cells constructed therein. In the north wing, or the womens' side, forty more cells were built. The whole capacity of the building was then one hundred and seventy- six for male, and eighty for female prisoners, to which, in case of emergency, sixteen more in octagonal towers could be added exclusive of the hospital room and beds.
In their next report the Inspectors said : "These alterations have effected a considerable change in the Penitentiary, especially in its inter- nal arrangements. The interior of the male
121
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
wing, imposing in appearance before, is now (if such a word is proper here), a magnificent hall, replete with every thing conducive to the health and safe keeping of its occupants. It is one hun- dred and fifty feet in length, fifty feet in width and thirty feet in height, with cells sufficient, as before mentioned, for nearly two hundred men. The Inspectors have visited many celebrated prisons, but in none of them have seen any thing that can vie in appearance with the hall for male convicts in the Albany Penitentiary. Its superiority over other establishments of the kind consists in the width and height of the corridors surrounding the cells, its greater light and unu- sual spaciousness, its perfect ventilation, freeness from humidity, and its general air of cheerfulness and comfort. In these particulars it is certainly before any other prison the Inspectors have seen.
"The general plan of the edifice admits of addi- tions from time to time, as they become necessary, almost ad libitum. Room for thousands of con- victs can be made without injury to its archi- tectural appearance. This was a prominent idea and object of the commissioners and the Superin- tendent, who planned and built the Penitentiary. They intended that so long as a prison was needed,
122
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
this should be a prison for all time to come. Build- ing on building can be extended over the whole area of twelve acres."
The same year an "additional and copious supply of water from the public hydraulic works was introduced and distributed to every necessary part of the buildings and premises. It was con- veyed from the city conduits in Lydius street, that being the nearest point from which it could be obtained. The pipe necessary for this purpose and for distribution throughout the establishment, is upwards of two thousand, one hundred feet, or more than one-third of a mile in length. Al- though the quality of the water previously used was excellent and the supply adequate, except on occasions of extreme drought, yet the apprehension and experience of want, at seasons when large quantities were most needed and when most danger of failure existed, made its acquisition an important addition to the comforts of the inmates of the Penitentiary." As a means of preservation from fire, its possession is invaluable.
The commissioners appointed by the legislature to build the Penitentiary, made a reservation and proviso in the certificate of completion filed in the county clerk's office, in favor of filling up the
123
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
uneven and broken ground on the west and north of the building, so that it might at a future time be finished according to the original design. The Inspectors, therefore, in their fifth annual report called the special attention of the county authori- ties to this need, and said the time had come when the work could no longer be delayed. They expressed the opinion that the work might be done, and a suitable foundation wall for extending the northern wing be built for about $8,000, and they proposed that if the supervisors would order the execution of the work, and make provision for one-half of this sum, the other half should be furnished from the earnings of the Institution. The proposal was accepted, and the performance of the work was ordered.
But it was found much more difficult, protracted and expensive, than was anticipated. This was owing to deep subterranean springs in the ground, which occasioned instability and a frequent slid- ing of the earth thrown in to fill it up. The difficulties were eventually removed by the use of an immense quantity of timber for docking and piles, by building a wall about seven feet high, and one hundred and fifty in length, and by depositing there about one hundred thousand cubic
124
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
yards of clay and soil. The work took several years for its accomplishment, and besides the appropriation of $3,500 made for its execution by the county, it took from the earnings of the Peni- tentiary $6,817.08, exclusive of the extensive and long continued labor of the convicts.
The solidity of this work having been tested by a trial of twelve months, the Inspectors in their report for 1860 said: "The embankment seems now to be thoroughly solid and permanent, and is, in our judgment, fit for the extension of the northern wing of the prison and for the erec- tion of the yard walls on that side, in accordance with the original plan, and in architectural sym- metry with the southern portion of the edifice, whenever the joint board shall authorize the same. A strong necessity exists for the early completion of this design. The Penitentiary has already often been over-crowded, and the number of commitments is annually increasing. By the additions referred to, the capacity of the Prison will not only be greatly enlarged, but its security and efficiency for self-support will be much enhanced."
Notwithstanding this suggestion the board of supervisors did not then authorize the execution
125
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
of the work. The consequence was such incon- venience and loss to the Institution that the Su- perintendent in his next report to the Inspectors called again their attention thereto. He said : "We labor under much disadvantage for the want of store-rooms and other buildings. Every similar institution erected after the Albany model, has been entirely finished before its occupation, with walls enclosing the yards, spacious shops, store- rooms, barns, drying rooms, etc., while here there is no wall around the female yard, and no room for storage except in the cellars. In consequence of this want of accommodation for storage of manufactured articles and stock, we have suffered serious pecuniary damage in not being able to obtain such contracts for the labor of the convicts as could otherwise have been secured.
" We have no carriage-house or stable, nor have we any conveniences for drying the clothing of the prisoners during bad weather or in the winter season ; and having no wall around the north wing, the female prisoners are much exposed to public view and require constant watching to pre- vent escapes. The property of the Institution is also exposed to fire and theft.
17
126
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
" The out-buildings (mere sheds) which were put up for temporary use, are old and unfit for the purposes for which they are needed. By the ori- ginal plan of the Penitentiary, the accommodations above referred to were all provided for, but for a long time, the unsettled state of the land on the north side of the main buildings prevented the erection of the necessary additions. That impedi- ment was, as you are aware, completely removed more than a year ago, and it is a matter of regret that the appropriation required and asked for by the Inspectors and Superintendent at the last annual joint meeting, was not granted, for many of the conveniences named and so necessary, might, by this time, have been secured; besides which it would have enabled me to have employed on the work a portion of those prisoners who have been frequently idle during the year.
"The additions to the buildings are necessary also to furnish a larger number of cells, and I venture to hope that the board of supervisors will adopt the recommendations of the Inspectors, and will make the necessary provision to finish the Penitentiary, especially when the disadvantages under which the Institution labors for want of the improvements named, in carrying out effectually
127
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
the objects and purposes for which it was esta- blished is considered."
Convinced that the work could no longer be safely delayed, the joint authorities then acceded to the request, and provided for its execution. At their meeting in December, 1861, they passed the following resolutions :
" Resolved, That the Superintendent of the Peni- tentiary, under the advice and direction of the Inspectors thereof, is hereby directed and autho- rized to construct an extension of the northerly wing, and to build and complete the northerly and westerly yard walls of the Penitentiary, in cor- respondence and in symmetery with that of the southern wing, and the yard walls on that side of the establishment, during the next year (1862), provided the expense of such addition and improve- ments do not exceed $12,000.
"Resolved, That the board of supervisors be requested to make such provision for the payment of the foregoing expense, as shall seem to it best and most expedient."
These improvements were soon after commenced, and their completion gave the Institution, in a good degree, the accommodation it had so long needed. An addition of fifty feet was made to the
128
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
north wing of the main building, which afforded thirty-six cells, besides eight rooms in the octagon towers. Immediately over these cells, a fine, well lighted work room, fifty feet square, was built for female convicts, which was greatly needed, and proved a great comfort to those employed therein.
In the rear of the north wing, a building, one story in height, was at the same time erected. This is one hundred and seventy feet long by twenty-six feet in width, and contains rooms for washing, ironing, drying, and other laundry pur- poses : also a fine store room seventy-five feet long. with a cellar of the same size. These accommo- dations greatly increased the comfort of the prisoners and others. and were a great saving to the Institution. The whole sum expended on them was 812,436.79. all of which was paid out of the earnings of the Penitentiary. Had the work been done two years before, when first proposed to the county authorities, it would not have cost more than two-thirds of this sum, for both material and labor could then have been secured at much lower prices.
These improvements did not complete what was necessary and proposed to be done, consequently the Inspectors urged the erection of a stable,
129
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
wagon house, a new fence, and the continuance of a wall around the north end of the Prison. And they recommended the passage of a resolution by the joint board, authorizing the Superintendent, with their advice and approval, to make such additions and improvements to the Penitentiary buildings, as may, from time to time, be found necessary, such work to be paid for out of the funds of the Institution. This recommendation was cordially received, and the following resolu- tion was unanimously adopted :
" Resolved, That the Superintendent of the Peni- tentiary be and he is hereby authorized, with the advice and approval of the Inspectors, to make, from time to time, such additions and improve- ments to the Penitentiary buildings and grounds as may be necessary, provided that all such im- provements or additions shall be paid for out of the surplus earnings of said Penitentiary, and without creating any debt against the county of Albany."
The following year, 1864, the wooden stables, carriage house and sheds, which had been for some time unfit for use, were replaced by substantial and convenient brick structures. The buildings erected the preceding year were finished and fur-
130
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
nished. The laundry was supplied with all the needed apparatus for washing, drying, and ironing the bedding and clothing of the conviets, at an immense saving of labor, and the exterior of the main building, including the roof, was all painted. This involved an expenditure from the funds of the Penitentiary of a little over five thousand dollars. But though several other permanent improvements were needed, the Superintendent deemed it wise to delay their execution because of a decrease in the number of prisoners, the increased cost of provisions, materials and labor.
It was found in 1865 that the urgent demand for another work shop for the male prisoners could no longer be postponed. It was imperative. The number of hands to be employed could not be accommodated, and the contracts could not be fulfilled. Consequently with the opening spring the erection of a commodious two story brick building was commenced at the west end of the Penitentiary inclosure. This, during the summer, was completed and furnished, and is one of the most valuable improvements ever made to the Institution. It is one hundred and thirty-four feet in length, and thirty-four feet, eight inches in width. At the north end of this shop, a bath
131
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
house was at the same time built, which is fur- nished with seven tubs for the accommodation of the prisoners, and which are weekly used by them. In the upper story of this building improved accom- modation was provided for guards and other officers, whose constant presence there is indispensable. This building with the extension of the yard walls, etc., involved an expenditure of $12,859.44.
Prior to the summer of 1865, there was for a long time greatly needed increased kitchen room for baking and other domestic purposes; also a larger hospital for the required accommodation of the sick ; and a chapel as large again as that then used. In consequence of this latter want, the Chaplain had for several years conducted two, and sometimes three religious services every Sabbath morning, the first with the men, the second with the women, and the third, when able, with those who could not be admitted to the first.
It was, however, for some time a serious question how these necessary accommodations could be secured. At length it was determined to extend the central part of the Penitentiary building forty feet at the rear from the bottom to the top; raise the roof from the front to the rear, and finish it in French style.
132
ALBANY PENITENTIARY.
This more than doubled the size of the kitchen room, added forty feet to the room for the accom- modation of the subordinate officers; forty feet to the hospital: made the chapel more than twice the length it was before. with the addition of a gallery for the accommodation of the women, and gave another story to the front part of the central build- inz. It is not easy to estimate the improvement this alteration made. The male hospital is now about seventy-two feet long. and twenty-three feet wide: and the female hospital with adjoining rooms are near the same dimensions. The chapel is seventy-six feet long. forty-eight feet wide, and with the gallery will seat about six hundred per- son :. It is really a fine room for worship. well ventilated, neatly furnished. and afford- all the accommodation needed. The entire cost of this alteration was defrayed by the earnings of the Penitentiary.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.