Note 141 — CHAP. XVI.

An enormous expence has been incurred in building Penitentiary-Houses in various Counties, and many philanthropic individuals have exerted their best endeavours to carry this Act into execution; but it is to be lamented, that crimes have been by no means diminished. The fact is, that the System is erroneous—Responsibility is no where established.—No uniformity of System prevails, and no general superintendance or center point exists.—Like the Poor Laws, the only part of the Act which is rigidly carried into execution is raising a fund, which, without imputing blame to Magistrates (for the error is in the System), has increased the expence of this branch of the Police of the Country very far beyond what could have been conceived—and it now becomes a heavy burden upon many of the Counties.—The reform began at the wrong end.—The same expence applied in establishing a System of Preventive Police, ought to render numerous penitentiary houses in a great measure unnecessary.