General Report on the Administration of the Punjab Territories, 1854-55 to 1861 (bounded together)

· 1855 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

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2effect, and there is little reason to fear that the numerical increase will progress beyond

3control.

431. But the economical management of the Jails has been good. The expense does

5not increase together with the number of prisoners, as may be

6Economy of management.

8thus observed :— 7

91853. 1854, 1855,

10No. of Prisoners: ... 10,242 11,054 11,802

11Total cost, Ra... 4,24,852 88 487,594 41 403,924 7 1

12or £ wee 42,485 0 52 43,759 8 6 40,332 9 0

13Average cost per head Rs. 41 7 8 39 9 5 30 9 14

14or£ 430 319 3 3 1 23

15The average cost having now fallen to Rupees 30-9-14 or £3-1-0 per head per

16annum, has probably now reached its minimum. There are still a few individual Jails

17that have yet to be reduced to the general average. As explained in previous Reports, the

18custody of prisoners in the Punjab is expensive ; but in all other respects, the Magistrates

19have succeeded in enforcing economy.

2032. The general conduct and condition of the prisoners has been satisfactory. Their

21rations and clothing are notoriously good, especially as com-

22due of he prawns andcop- pared with the food and dress of the lower classes. Their

23wards are clean and fairly ventilated. Their general health is

24excellent. During 1854 the mortality was only 6:21 per cent., and during 1855, 5°07 per

25cent., on the aggregate of prisoners, In two Jails on the Frontier there have been epide-

26mics, which equally afflicted the neighborhood. In two’ Jails also (Rawul’ Pindee and

27Dhurmsala) the prisoners suffered in health while constructing the prison buildings. The

28abolition of out-door labor generally, and the substitution of intramural occupation effected

29in 1853, has had the best effect, both on the physique and the morale of the prisoners

30The interior of the Jail now resembles an Industrigl Institution. There has been no emeute

31or attempt at disturbance within the years under report. Escapes from Jail have been

32rare. In 1854, only 60 prisoners broke Jail, of whom 48 were re-captured, and 38 during

331855, of whom again 33 were re-captured. Re-commitments on second convictions are

34becoming less frequent.

35$3. About half the prisoners are employed in manufactures, including articles for

36sale and for prison use ; one-fourth would be employed in the

37menial duties, in the garden of the Jail, and on the repair of

38the prison buildings and premises ; the remainder would, from various causes, be non-effec-

39tive. In regard to manufactures the Jails can turn out better floor-cloths, rope, country-

40paper and blankets, than can be made elsewhere in the Pun-

41jab. It is believed that all the tents required for the Public

42Establishments will be procurable from the Jails. Lithographic Printing Presses are worked

43with great effect in several Jails, such as those of Umritsur, Ferozepore, Umballa, and

44the Central Jail, Lahore. The value of articles manufactured during 1854 amounted to

45Rupees 24,660 or £2,466, and durjng 1855 to Rupees 29,888 or £2,988. ” The estimated

463 (¢)

47Employment of prisoners.

48Manufacture.