February 24, 1776

One block from the Pennsylvania State House, on Walnut Street, there was a new jail. Opening more space for criminals was one way to alleviate overcrowding and poor conditions. Creating a society dedicated to improving prisoners’ conditions was another way. On February 7, 1776, the Society for Relieving the Distresses of Prisoners held an initial meeting to appoint managers and a treasurer, hopeful that the society would grow in numbers and resources. 

As they explained in the Pennsylvania Evening Post, the managers of this society commiserated with prisoners, “particularly during the inclemency of the winter,” and focused on “relieving the most present wants of our miserable fellow creatures in the new jail.” They believed that anyone who visited the jail would understand the need for compassion: “Who can visit that house of variegated misery, and not wish to clothe the naked shivering wretches!” The rules for the society, published in the Evening Post, also included a provision that the society could petition the provincial government to “remedy” Pennsylvania laws respecting prisoners if they were “thought insufficient, or to want additions or alterations.”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

For the PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.

THE following rules for establishing a SOCIETY for RELIEVING the DISTRESSES of PRISONERS were entered into by many of the inhabitants; and, in consequence of the second resolve, a set of Managers have been chosen, who have already begun the pleasing task of handing forth the donations which have been liberally made to this infant society, and it is with additional pleasure they find a ready countenance from the magistrates.

The miserable situation of numbers confined in jail (particularly during the inclemency of the winter) hath often filled the humane breast with tender commiseration of their sufferings, and anxious wishes for some general plan of relief, which should be adequate to their necessities. To find many, whose labour might be useful to the public, languishing out their days in a prison, when the payment of their fees would have set them at liberty long ago, must strongly urge the feeling mind to solicit their enlargement.

But a considerable sum being necessary for this desirable purpose, it was thought advisable to begin an institution on a lower scale, and content ourselves for the present with relieving the most present wants of our miserable fellow creatures in the new jail, who are there deprived of many of those comfortable supplies they had an opportunity of obtaining in their former central situation. Who can visit that house of variegated misery, and not wish to clothe the naked shivering wretches!—To kindle a fire on the cheerless hearth, and spread warmth and gladness through the damp and melancholy apartments! Who can turn from meagre want, and not supply mere hunger’s cravings—or bear the sight of pining sickness on the sordid floor, and not relieve her misery! The charitable and humane will rejoice in the opportunity.

It is with great satisfaction the managers find the present plan meets with the approbation of so respectable a number of their fellow citizens, who have long wished to see an institution of this kind. Such persons who are desirous of contributing their mite to the relief of misery, may, through this channel, employ it to the greatest advantage. The Managers will, from visiting the prisoners, be competent judges of their real wants; and as Trustees of the public donations can from time to time furnish the necessary relief, whereby the supplies will be so equally administered as to avoid the inconvenience of want on the one hand, or superfluity on the other; an inconvenience which frequently happens from the promiscuous supplies of charitable persons, occasioning too often a FEAST and a FAST.

Subscriptions or donations of smaller sums will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, or any of the Managers.

Joseph Allen, Christopher Marshall, Isaac Howell, Christopher Ludwick, Richard Wells, Benjamin Shoemaker, Joseph Paschall, Benjamin Marshall, Joseph Stansbury, Benjamin Poulteny, Robert S. Jones, Samuel Sansom, Managers.
Thomas Moore, Treasurer.

The RULES are as follow:

I. In order to begin a stock, we will immediately pay into the hands of **** the sum of ten shillings, to be held by them until a Treasurer shall be appointed agreeable to next resolve.

II. When the number of subscribers shall amount to forty, we will meet together and choose by ballot twelve Managers and a Treasurer, which said Managers shall make inquiry into the particular cases of actual sufferers, and afford such relief in food, physic, firing or raiment as the stock will admit of, and they shall judge expedient.

III. The Treasurer shall give bond to the twelve Managers, in the sum of one hundred pounds, for the faithful performance of his office.

IV. When any difficulties arise, in which the Managers want advice or assistance, we will, on notice thereof being given, attend as many of us as can at such time and place as the said Managers shall appoint, and use our utmost endeavors to promote the good of the institution.

V. The managers shall meet together the last Saturday in every month, at such house or place as they may agree on, and when met, seven shall make a board, a majority of whom shall determine on all matters relative to the institution.

VI. Two of the Managers so chosen shall (by permission) of the magistrates from time to time obtained) by rotation visit the jail, at least once a week, and administer such relief as they shall think necessary.

VII. On the first Monday in September, in every year, there shall be a new election of twelve Managers and a Treasurer, to be held at such place as the old Managers shall direct, of which they shall give one week’s previous notice in the public papers.

VIII. The old Treasurer shall then deliver up all the monies, effects and papers belonging to the Society, unless he should be reappointed, in which case he shall renew his bond.

IX. Every person paying into the Treasurer’s hand ten shillings on or before the said day of election in every year, shall be deemed a Member of the said Society, and entitled to vote or be voted for.

X. The Managers shall keep minutes of their proceedings, and their accounts shall lay open for the inspection of the electors at the place of election.

XI. If on inquiry into the present laws of the province, respecting prisoners, they should be thought insufficient, or to want additions or alterations, we will use our endeavors with the House of Assembly, either by petition or application, to remedy the same.

XII. The sums hereby subscribed, and the donations which may be made to this institution, shall be wholly applied toward the comfort and support of such as are in absolute want, and by no means be employed in paying prison fees or obtaining discharges, the design of this institution being only to alleviate some of the miseries which are the general attendants on jails.