1270

LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1837.

Punishment

undergo such confinement in the said penitentiary, as the said

court may adjudge, not exceeding ten years.

Re-model

SEC. 19. And be it enacted, That the said directors be, and

western
wing.

they are hereby required to remodel or rebuild, if necessary, the

western wing of said prison, now used as a female department

and hospital, so as to introduce into those departments, the

prison discipline and police enforced in the other parts of the

penitentiary ; and they are hereby authorized to make this im-

provement as soon as in their judgment the finances of the

institution will allow the necessary expenditure, without any

Construc-

injury or embarrassment to its interests ; Provided, that in the

tion pre-
scribed.

said western wing there shall be constructed a range of cells,

throughout the whole extent of the basement, upon the general

plan now in operation at Philadelphia, which shall be provided

with all such fixtures and accommodations, as may be neces-

sary to enforce the system of penitentiary punishment by soli-

tary confinement at labour, as now pursued at that institution,

but subject to such alterations and improvements as they may

think proper.

Rules and

SEC. 20. And be it enacted, That the said system thus par-

regulations.

tially introduced, shall be enforced according to the laws of the

state, and such rules and regulations as may be prescribed for

Full power*
granted to.

the government of the penitentiary, and the directors are hereby
clothed with all power and authority necessary to the comple-

tion of said building, and enforcing the discipline therein, not

Residue of
the building
for females
and hospital
(*con-)
structed)

inconsistent with the laws of the state, and the rules and regu-
lations of the Maryland penitentiary; and the residue of said
building shall be construed* and arranged with especial refer-
ence to the most perfect organization and inspection of the

female and hospital departments.

Report re-
quired of
the progress
and effect of
these im-
provements.

SEC. 21. And be it enacted, That the directors, in their an-
nual report to the governor, shall furnish a statement of the
state and progress of said improvement, and the probable cost
thereof, and the sums paid from time to time on account

thereof; and when the said alterations shall have been made,

the directors shall pay particular regard to the enforcement of

the Philadelphia system, to the fullest extent of its admissibi-

lity, in the new cells, so as to be able to report to the governor,

annually, the effects thereof upon the convicts, as a reformatory

and puritive confinement, and also upon the financial and ma-

nufacturing operations of the penitentiary, for the purpose of

affording a comparative estimate of the merits of the two great

systems of punishment now in use in the United States.

May sue for

SEC. 22. And be it enacted, That the directors of the Mary-

and recover.

land penitentiary shall have power to institute any suit or suits,

in the name of the state, for their use, as fully as if the said

directors were a body coporate, for any sums of money due the