Note 34 — VIII.
Reading edition
The period of confinement in our States' Prisons differs a good deal in the various States, as will appear from the following Table.
Whole No. in prison.Average sentence.
In Conn.189,March 31, 1841,7yrs. 3mos.
Va.181,Sept 30, 1839,6"10"
Mass.322,Sept. 30, 1840,5"9"
La.68,Sept 30, 1839,5"1"
N. J.152,Sept. 30, 1840,4"7"
Ky.162,Sept. 30, 1839,4"
D. C.79,Nov. 30, 1840,3"8"
Md.104, 3"
Phila.129,Sept. 30, 1840,2"5"
The difference between the average term of punishment in Connecticut and Philadelphia is 300 per cent! If the same result is effected by each, there has then been a great amount of gratuitous suffering in one case.