History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

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beautiful. The entire cost of both buildings, with all the auxiliary
structures, and 195 acres of land, is about $727,173.90. The
buildings were constructed during the war and immediately afterward. The asylum was opened in 1859 for the care of patients,
and up to Oct. 1, 1875, there had been expended for the care and
maintenance of patients, exclusive of the cost of construction,
$994,711.32. Indigent patients are received and treated at the
asylum at the expense of the counties to which they belong, on the
certification of the county authorities, the average cost of maintenance being about $4.12j per week. Pay patients are received
when there is room for them, the minimum price of board being
$5 per week.
EASTERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, AT PONTIAC.
These large, beautiful and very m6dern structures are located
upon a farm of upward of 300 acres, and were erected in 1873-'6 at
a cost of about $400,000. The general plans are similar to those
at Kalamazoo. They are built of brick, with stone window caps,
belt-courses, etc. There are accommodations for not less than 300
patients.
Michigan pursues a very enlightened policy toward the chronic
insane. Provisions have been made for the treatment even of
the incurable, so that as much good as possible may be done even
to the most unfortunate. The design is to cure whenever the
nature of the mental malady will permit; but failing this, to cease
no effort which could minister to the comfort and welfare of the
patient.
PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
The Detroit House of Correction, although a local institution, is
used to a considerable extent as an intermediate prison, to which
persons are sentenced by the courts throughout the State for minor
offenses. Women convicted of felonies are also sentenced to this
place. The whole number in confinement at this prison for the past
decade has averaged a little over 400 at any one time, more males
than females. The average term of confinement is but a little more
than two months, and the institution is very faithfully conducted.
The State Prison at Jackson is one of the best conducted in the
Union. The total value of the property is valued at $552,113. The
earnings of the prison in 1878 were $92,378; number of prisoners;
800. Their work is let to contractors, who employ 450 men at
different trades. A coal mine has been recently discovered on the
prison property, which proves a saving of several thousand dollars
per annum to the State. The earnings of this prison since Gen.
Wm. Humphrey has been warden (1875) has exceeded its current
expenses.
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