[ A] See Journal of Prison Discipline for April, 1852.
Among the very remarkable things disclosed in this report of Dr. Baly, we find that during the first four years of the period of time embraced in it, when the average term of imprisonment was less than one hundred days, the cases of insanity were 11 or 3.28 per 1,000 prisoners, and that in the last four years, in which fifty-six days were added to the average length of confinement, the cases of insanity rose to 19 or 4.70 per 1,000! So that, omitting those who recovered in prison, the ratio in the first four years was 1.49 per 1,000, and, the last 2.72, or nearly double! It has been generally conceded even by the most zealous opponents of separation, that its tendencies are quite harmless and even wholesome, when not extended much beyond twelve months; but Dr. Baly’s report presents an entirely new view of the case. He tells us that the ratio of insanity is twice as high in the second three months of confinement, and more than three times as high in the third, as it is in the first. His table is as follows:
| Periods of Imprisonment. | Approximative Number of of Prisoners who passed through each Period. | Number of Cases of Insanity occurring in each Period. | Annual ratio per 1,000 of Cases of Insanity for each Period. |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Three Months | 16,000 | 9 | 2.25 |
| Second Three Months | 8,400 | 9 | 4.28 |
| Third Three Months | 4,200 | 8 | 7.61 |
| Fourth Three Months, or later | 1,200 | 4 | -- |
But it unfortunately happens that the reasons assigned for these results would go to disprove them. “The various feelings of remorse, shame and despondency,” and the “withdrawal of the external sources of excitement,” would be much more likely to work upon convicts’ spirits during the first three months, than during the third three months, especially when the termination of the sentence is so near at hand. But the whole statement is so extravagant, and so contrary to the received opinions of even anti-separatists themselves, that we are disposed to give it very little weight. Dr. Given, late resident physician of the Eastern State Penitentiary, whom we must all regard as at least an uncommitted party, expresses his conviction of the entire safety of separation for the term of twelve months, even in the case of minors; but beyond that, in their case, he would seldom extend it. See his Report for 1852.
We have yet to be informed of the first case of the loss or serious impairment of a convict’s mental or bodily health from the judicious and faithful administration of the separate system of discipline; but whatever real or fancied dangers to body or mind attend it, one thing is made clear by the report before us, viz., that it is wonderfully efficacious.
We infer from several passages in this document, what we have not seen more specifically stated elsewhere, that “the principle of the discipline now established in the English prisons, contemplates a confinement of the convict in strict separation twelve months, to prepare him for a term of labor in association;” and this latter stage, from its “exposing prisoners to many temptations, which they would have to encounter on their final release from penal restrictions in England, is to prepare them for that event.” So that we have three grades or stages in the process; separation follows conviction and introduces to association, which is preparatory to transportation.
The convict, having passed the appointed term in separate confinement, is removed to the establishment in Portland Island (or, it may be, when suitable arrangements are made, to one of our Dockyards), to labor in the formation of the harbor of refuge, or on some public work. There, although he is still under religious instruction and very judicious superintendence, his principles and the reality of his reformation are subjected to a severe test. He is associated with other convicts, and, as it cannot be supposed that all have been reclaimed, he meets with many temptations.
The officer in charge of the Portland Island establishment, says:
The subdued, improved, and disciplined state in which the convicts generally arrive at Portland, from the stage of separate confinement, appears to be an admirable preparative for their transfer to the greater degree of freedom unavoidable on public works. Those convicts who have been for a considerable time at Portland, have not usually indicated any falling off in morals or conduct, but, on the contrary, several instances have occurred in which men, on whose conduct the comparative degree of liberty here alluded to, appeared to have at first an unfavorable effect, have afterwards become orderly and industrious, and content to work their way cheerfully to the prospective advantages held out to convicts of that character.