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Story November 6, 1822

The Massachusetts Spy

Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts

What is this article about?

Report from Dedham paper: Four convicts sentenced to hard labor in Worcester's House of Correction, now holding about 40 prisoners from multiple counties, nearing capacity. Editorial urges county officials to limit state use of the county-built facility to avoid gratuitous burden on local taxpayers.

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Full Text

We see by a Dedham paper, that four convicts were sentenced lately in that County, to hard labour in the House of Correction in Worcester. Convicts from other Counties have also been sent there, and the prison contains now about forty prisoners of every description. This is nearly as great a number as can be received there; so that there is reason to apprehend that this County will soon be prevented from occupying it for the purpose for which it was built, viz. a House of Correction. It is high time, therefore, for those who are entrusted with the management of the concerns of the County, to inquire whether it be proper to admit any more convicts into the prison. It is a House built by the County, and for the use of the County and there can be no reason why the Commonwealth should enjoy it to such an extent as to deprive the County of the benefit of it. More especially is it unreasonable that the State should thus use it gratuitously. The expense of this safe and commodious prison has been great to this County; and if it is to be used wholly or principally as a State prison, then let the State assume that expense. It is hardly becoming the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to permit the people of this County to bear alone the burden of an establishment which is now used almost exclusively for State purposes.

What sub-type of article is it?

Historical Event

What themes does it cover?

Crime Punishment Justice

What keywords are associated?

Convicts Prison Overcrowding House Of Correction Worcester Massachusetts County Expense

Where did it happen?

Worcester, Massachusetts; Dedham

Story Details

Location

Worcester, Massachusetts; Dedham

Event Date

Lately

Story Details

Four convicts sentenced in Dedham County to hard labor in Worcester's House of Correction; prison now holds about 40 from various counties, nearing capacity; editorial calls for limiting state use of county-funded facility.

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