While they are
engaged in their labour, they are allowed to talk only upon the subject,
which immediately relates to their work. All unnecessary conversation
is forbidden. Profane swearing is never overlooked. A strict watch is
kept, that no spirituous liquors may be introduced. Care is taken that
all the prisoners have the benefit of religious instruction. The prison
is accordingly open, at stated times, to the pastors of the different
religious denominations of the place. And as the mind of man may be
worked upon by rewards as well as by punishments, a hope is held out to
the prisoners, that the time of their confinement may be shortened by
their good behaviour. For the inspectors, if they have reason to believe
that a solid reformation has taken place in any individual, have a power
of interceding for his enlargement, and the executive government of
granting it, if they think it proper. In the case, where the prisoners
are refractory, they are usually put into solitary confinement, and
deprived of the opportunity of working. During this time the expences of
their board and washing are going on, so that they are glad to get into
employment again, that they may liquidate the debt, which, since the
suspension of their labour, has been accruing to the gaol.
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