NEW SERIES.] [NO. 1. THE JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY. PUBLISHED ANNUALLY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF “THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS,” INSTITUTED 1787. JANUARY, 1862. PHILADELPHIA: HENRY B. ASHMEAD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER, NOS. 1102 AND 1104 SANSOM STREET. 1862. NEW SERIES. NO. 1. THE JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY. PUBLISHED ANNUALLY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF “THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS,” INSTITUTED 1787. JANUARY, 1862. PHILADELPHIA: HENRY B. ASHMEAD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER, NOS. 1102 AND 1104 SANSOM STREET. 1862. TO THE READER. This being the first number of the new series of “THE JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY,” some reference to the action of the Society in relation to the change from a “Quarterly” to an “Annual” may be looked for here. We may, therefore, just say, that the ground upon which the change was proposed, and the manner in which it finally resulted, will be found to be fully set forth in the latter part of the “Report,” which is the first and principal article in the present number. This Report occupies so much space, that the “Editorial Board” have not deemed it expedient to include in the present issue much additional matter. REPORT. The Editorial Board, in the discharge of the duties assigned them, have prepared the following “Annual Report,” which they beg leave to present to the Society for its adoption: _Introduction._—This being the first time that an Annual Report has become a part of the regular proceedings of “The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons,” it seems a fitting occasion to take a wider range than is generally done in the preparation of such papers; and especially does it seem proper to bring into view the origin of the Society—the motives which prompted its organization, and some of the labors in which it has been engaged since its establishment, with the fruit of those labors. It will be seen that being but little known in the community, is not because it has been without vitality during its existence of nearly three-fourths of a century, but because it has steadily pursued its benevolent course, quietly and unostentatiously, not proclaiming its doings, or coming out before the public, excepting at such times as the accomplishment of some object of special importance required it. Before proceeding in the narration, it is proper to mention, that the examination into the history of the Society during its earlier period, has been facilitated by referring to a pamphlet which it published about three years since, containing a sketch of its principal transactions from its origin to that time.