Chap. 260.—An ACT to permit rules for the government of jails and the re-
duction of sentences of prisoners therein confined to be prescribed by
the circuit and corporation judges and the boards of supervisors and
councils of the respective counties and cities of the State, and to provide
for the enforcement of the same.

Approved March 16, 1910.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the board
of supervisors of each county, with the approval of the judge of the cir-
cuit court of the county and the council of the city, with the approval of
the judge of the corporation court of the city, may from time to time
prescribe, promulgate and enforce rules, not contrary to law, for the
preservation of the property and the health of the prisoners in the jails
within their respective jurisdictions ; for the reduction of the terms of con-
finement of such prisoners based upon good behavior and the observance
of such rules as may be prescribed, and for the government of the inte-
rior of such jails. Printed copies of such of said rules as relate to the
government of the prisoners of the jail, and to their discipline for vio-
lations of the rules prescribed, and of all provisions of law which the
said board of supervisors or the said council, with the approval of the
judge, may direct, shall be posted in at least six conspicuous places in
the interior of said jail.
2. The jailer shall keep a record describing each person committed
to jail, the terms of confinement, for what offense or cause he was com-
mitted, and when received into the jail.

3. The jailer shall also keep a record of each convict, and for every
month that any convict appears by such record to have faithfully ob-
served the rules and requirements of the jail while confined therein, and
not to have been subjected to discipline for violation of same, there shall,
with the consent of the judge, be deducted from the term of confinement
of such convict four days. The time so deducted shall be allowed to
each convict for such time as he is confined in jail, and for each violation
of said rules prescribed as herein provided the time so deducted shall be
added until it equals the full sentence imposed upon such convict by the
court.

4. Every time any convict in said jail is guilty of a violation of the
rules so prescribed the name of the convict, the rul2 which he has vio-
lated, and the time when such violation occurred shall be recorded in a
register provided for tic purpose. Said register shall be monthly in-
spected by the boara of supervisors or council and the same shall at all
times be open to the inspection of :he judge of the circuit or cerporo-
tion court. The jailer shall submit said record to the governor when
required by him, that the sume may he considered in the exere:-2 of
executive clemency on hehalf o! any jail convict as he may deem con-
ducive to the interest of tlhe jai: and promotive of the reformation and
welfare of its inmates, whether convicted or therein confined pending a
hearing.

5. The board of superviscrs and council shall annually before the first
dav of October make a repoit to the State board of charities and correc-
tions, showing the condition of tne jail of such county or city, the man-
ner in which the rules prescribed as herein provided have been enforced,
and their effect upon ‘he health and morals of the inmates of such jail,
and making any suggestions as to the discipline and government of the
inmates of such jails as it may deem proper or likely to result in any
improvemcnt in existing conditions. ,

6. Nothing in this act shall be construed to be in conflict with the
laws of the State governing the conviction and punishment of criminals
excepi as herein provided.