proper regulations, exercise a wholesome influence in
the discipline of the prison.

The importance of classification among convicts is now universally
admitted. For economical or other reasons the establishment of an
intermediate prison will perhaps be deemed inexpedient at this
time. It is believed, however, that by employing convict labor the
additional buildings and improvements required for a satisfactory
classification can be erected on the ground adjoining the old
prison, recently purchased and now enclosed, at a small expense
compared with the cost of a new prison. This plan, it is hoped,
will receive your careful consideration.

It is also recommended that the Board of State Charities be
empowered to aid discharged convicts to obtain honest employment.
An annual appropriation of a small sum for this purpose, in the
course of a few years, would probably save a large number, who,
without such help, would again return to a criminal course of life.

The most defective part of our present prison system is probably
our county jails. It is supposed about 8,000 persons pass through
our county jails each year. They are generally persons charged with
crimes and awaiting trial. But lunatics and petty offenders in
considerable numbers are also confined in these places. The young
and the old, the innocent and the guilty, hardened offenders and
beginners in crime, are commonly mingled together in the jails,
under few restraints, without useful occupation and with abundant
leisure and temptation to learn wickedness. The jails have been
fitly termed nurseries of crime. Plans of jails, not too expensive,
have been furnished by the Board of State Charities, which provide
for the absolute separation of the prisoners. It is recommended
that the law shall require all jails to be so constructed as to
entirely prevent this promiscuous and dangerous intercourse.

Your attention is particularly called to the recommendation of the
Board of State Charities that the proper authorities of all of the
cities of the State should be required to make full reports
annually to the legislature, through the governor, of the
statistics of vice and crime and of the work of the police
department in such cities; and also to the suggestion that
prosecuting attorneys should