Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-02-09
The State Prison.

Prison at lhOmastOn Tor Reports OF the War
den, Inspectors and Committee Of the Execu-
tive Council on Pardons and State Prison af-
fairs, for the year ending Dec. 1, 1853. The
affairs Of the prison appear to be in prosper
GUS condition, and the reports fully confirm
the high standing Of the Warden, WILLIAM
BENNETT, Esq, as an energetic, competent
and faithful officer. In common with our
brother editors in the State who have noticed
the Maine State Prison lately, we feelSa live
ly interest in the institution: not because we
or they ever expect to 60 there, but because,
in these days Of enlightened discipline of the
vicious, the State of Maine should take front
rank. We are glad to be able to say that
these reports furnish evidence that we need no
HOwards to enlghten us upon humane prison
discipline.
The warden says the health of the prisoners
has been good. Not one death has occurred
since the last report Number of prisoners
remaining Dec. l, 1853, SO. Number re-
naming at the close of the year previous, 70
a less, and Is less than April, 1853. This
rather goes to show that crime is decreasing
in State.
1t appears from the roll of convicts that one
of the prisoners is only IA years Of age, SEN
fenced for years another Is, sentenced for
10 years; two IL years of age, one sentenced
for years, and the other Is years 7; one .ffiy-
nine years old, sentenced for hfe,, and another,
"a years Of age, the murderer, Thorn, SEN
fenced to Be hanged. Six of the prisoners are
sentenced TO the State Prison for life one
for IL years two for Is years; one for ~
years, and five for ten years
The various departments of labor in the
prison have yielded, the past year, SO 1886, 92
expenses, exclusive of officers salaries and
building and repairs, $6,slO,9 8-leaving a
penses. This balance has been expended to
pay old debts and to finish the prison wall
I The warden thinks the prison will be able to
support itself with the exception Of the Off
GERS salaries. This is doing well enough.
Immediate measures should be adopted to
secure the property Of the State from fire.
I The prison has no engine or force pumps.
/ The heavy loss to which the State has been
subjected by the Hospital fire for the want Of
proper provision against conhagration, and
the burning Of the prison three years since,
should lead to immediate precautionatory ac-
tion. The Inspectors say in their report =
We find the physical condition Of the prison.
ers as favorable as can be expected where a
strict prison discipline is enforced. They are
well supplied with plain but wholesome food,
and are well clad with comfortable though
cheap clothing, and each cell occupied by a
| prisoner is well furnished with comfortable
bedding. That part Of the prison 10 which
| the convicis are lodged is we'll ventilated, and
/ is warmed with four stoves, SD that all APP
pears 10 be done, 10 promote their personal
comfort, that can be done, consistent with pris-
on regulations. 1%
The Committee Of the Executive Council on
Pardons and State Prison affairs say
In the management of the business Of the
several departments of the prison, great care
has been taken in the order and cleanliness Of
the convicts kind, efficient and humane dis
bdS OCCu auOp'Cu OutOtOSuS Wucu
TO the credit Of the different officers Of the
prison. y. .ios
The buildings are in good repair, and wall
Of substantial grade has been qni,eeompleted
round the yard the present year, 10 finish
which, one thousand dollars should be appro-
Priated by the Legislature. eUsf
Care has been taken for the moral and reli-
gious condition of the convicts, and for more
full statement, reference is made io,ihe reports
of the chaplain and physician relative 10 these
important subjects.
As many Of the convicts are capable and in
clined 10 read, a larger library ought TO be
provided.
On rejecting upon the varied and complicat-
ed duties Of the warden, it is with no small de-
gree Of pleasure, the committee would express
his entire satisfaction with the manner in
which Mr.. Bennett, the present warden, has
discharged all the duties of The Office.