-------+--------------------------------+------------ | Number of Admissions. | Mean | | Number Year. +---------+-----------+----------+ of | Male. | Female. | Total. | Inmates. -------+---------+-----------+----------+------------ | | | | 1892 | 6,139 | 775 | 6,914 | 2,043 1893 | 4,411 | 942 | 5,353 | 2,145 1894 | 4,593 | 519 | 5,112 | 2,902 1895 | 4,559 | 414 | 4,973 | 2,766 1896 | 3,805 | 360 | 4,165 | 2,314 1897 | 3,745 | 323 | 4,068 | 1,876 1898 | 3,770 | 343 | 4,113 | 1,983 1899 | 3,398 | 258 | 3,656 | 1,823 1900 | 3,586 | 266 | 3,852 | 1,691 1901 | 4,174 | 261 | 4,435 | 1,761 1902 | 4,389 | 252 | 4,641 | 1,876 1903 | 3,428 | 278 | 3,706 | 1,733 1904 | 3,546 | 221 | 3,767 | 1,620 1905 | 3,057 | 195 | 3,252 | 1,352 1906 | 2,505 | 184 | 2,689 | 1,176 -------+---------+-----------+----------+------------- The Labour Colony of Merxplas is unique as a centralised State reformatory for loafers, and, owing to its large extent, the excellence of its arrangements, and not least, the rational principles upon which it is administered, it fully deserves the study and the praise which have been bestowed upon it by foreign observers. On the whole, it would seem to correspond more nearly than any other Continental institution for forced labour to the special needs of this country. The buildings of Merxplas are grouped together in convenient positions, and are of a very substantial kind. The principal blocks contain the offices, the several classes of dormitories, the workshops, the stores, the exercise wings, the dining hall, the church, the hospital, the prison, and the barracks, for a small guard of 150 men is stationed on the premises for cases of emergency. Well-made roads intersect the grounds in various directions, and there is a large amount of open space. The inmates of Merxplas are divided into six classes: (1) Men sentenced for offences against morality and for arson; (2) men sentenced to Colony life as a sequel to a term of imprisonment of less than one year, and men whose past history shows them to be dangerous to the community; (3) habitual vagabonds, mendicants, inebriates, and men generally unable to support themselves; (4) men under twenty-one years of age; (5) infirm and incurable persons; and (6) first offenders. In December, 1907, the inmates were divided amongst these classes in the following proportions: (1) 169; (2) 328; (3) 3,033; (4) 20; (5) 1,425; (6) 40; total, 5,015.