A treatise on the modern system of governing gaols, penitentiaries, and houses of correction : with a view to moral improvement and reformation of character : also, a detail of the duties of each department of a prison, together with some observations on the state of prison discipline at home and abroad, and on the management of lunatic asylums / by James Palmer.

  • Palmer, James.
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the modern system of governing gaols, penitentiaries, and houses of correction : with a view to moral improvement and reformation of character : also, a detail of the duties of each department of a prison, together with some observations on the state of prison discipline at home and abroad, and on the management of lunatic asylums / by James Palmer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    member of society in this world^ .oa the same un- deniable ground, that there f^ve iBajj^y. pqysons out of Iprisen, who da}tiotsp35ofes^ muchj^sif. ^ny, reli- gion, whose conduct in the world, and towards their neighbour, should make many rehgious pro- fessors blush—the 2d., and I admit the only cer^aiii. and permanent reform, is a religious one, viz., a change^of conduct,, arising from the love of Godfj; and the; legitimate obedience to his command.^.ttt, Allf that n4eij.<?^ii'--dQ^towards obtaitn'ng this desimr* bte .end is,-to give his neigh])our the word of that God>y 'a.nd I enable hiiu to read it, which is involved in the ftrst proposal; and however desirab.le it ina^ be to soma individuals, to inculcate their own peculiar views, whether true or false in doctrine^ Lam satisfied it is far, better? for.the c^use of pi-ison reformation (especially in -countries where the inhabitants differ in religious tenets,) that they should refrain, le^aving such matters to the,yvx>}i^^X(^^ v^brlung effects of the unadulterated word of Go^j and to, the chaplains whoin the prisquer^ ma^y adopt as< their pastors. Doubtless, suph^.p^^f^j^p^t^ also from scripture, as the chaplains approyet-pC should-be_circulated: I only w^isli to prevent di^f teion-aadr/disputing about doctrine in a prii^oij^ and to state it as a fair principle, that inside the wails of a gaol, w^here persons are confined against their will, is not the place for dociriiud contentior^. I am sensible that sOiiie errors in this repect ma»j have been committed, and I am equally aware that the cause would lose a few valuable supporters ;if my plans are strictly enjoi^ied,,; but thqi^'e ipttJ^Q hutnan good that is not mixed up with a share of evil, and I apprehend the cause is more likely to prosper on my general principle, ^thr^fl:4^ji^*.y subject is not regulated by disci'etion. Having said this nuich on a subject I unwillingly entered upon, I shall now-r^^Xfe^rt to the duty of the several officers, independent of their strict obedi^- ence to legislative enactme|its^; an^; 4hQ;i|)yf,Ji^\y$ established by the magis,trateskr/ji'^ -^t.^oi \^\T*^vff/d I