Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-12
STATE PRISON REPORTS.

The Warden in his report says the
number Of convicts at the close of the year
1869, was ia, the largest number ever in
the prison ut the close of any wear, and 33
more than the year before. The average
for the year was l5i, while in 1868 it was
but 1873. During the year 81 persons have
been committed. The health of the prison
is good, there having been only two derhe
in population of 225. During the year
10 persons have been pardoned by the
Governor and 3 by the President. The
business of the prison has continued to in
crease The total sales of manufactures
for the year are 800. 036. 10, being an ex-
cess of Sl2, l20.3l over last year. The
net income tor the year is S27 1880,
while the total expense is S27 .2j6.7 |.
showing balance in favor of the prison
OF 1868. 49,
There have been many improvements
made about the premises which We're much
needed, and more are necessary. In his
concluding remarks the Warden speaks of
short sentences and our jail system as fol-
| lows
During the six and half years that have
been in charge of the prison, three hundred
and forty-four convcts have been received,
of whom twenty or seven per cent. were
| recommitments and the previous service of
twenty of these averaged a little over one
year. showing the Improbable results of short
sentences. The number sentenced here dur
ing the last year for less than three years,
though less proportionally than ever before,
is vet too large as will doubtless continue to
be the case, until our laws are changed, and
provision is made for the employment of those
confined in jails.
The Jail system of our State, ought to be
entirely reorganized, the number of iails re-
duced, and work shops connected with each,
so that every person placed in Jail under SEN
tence, or for detention only, could be en-
ployed in some useful service, instead of as
now, spending their time in worse than idle
ness. A system might be adopted, under
which the objects for which jails are mainly
erected, namely, as places for the detention
of persons charged with crime, and tor the
punishment OF persons convicted OF crime,
could be secured much more effectually, and
be a saving of many thousands of dollars an
nually to the people; that would afford a
better protection of persons and property,
and at the same time save many young man
who has been drawn into the commission of
crime by evil associates, while under the in
tiuence of stimulants, from the disgrace of
having served in the State Prison, and from
the corrupt influences that tend to make him
a confirmed criminal.
The Inspectors say in their report that
although they stated in their report of last
year ''that the affairs of the prison We're
in Il most satisfactory condition. they
are, nevertheless, constrained to say that,
aggregating all the interests in the various
departments, the success of the past year
has never been equaled in its history
They think the favorable pecuniary result
is due in great measure to the increase
of capital allowed to carry on the business
of the prison, and advise a still larger in
crease of capital. They say with refer
ence to this subject
By reference to reports from the prison of
sac different States, viz, Michigam New York,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and In
diana, it appears that the contractors who
lease the labor of the convicts, have found
that the capital invested for manufacturing
purposes should average fully $1,000 per man,
in order to make that labor remuneratiye.
In the Maine State Prison the capital now
invested amounts to less than $500 per man,
or total capital of about $4,000. 1t is the
carefully matured Judgment of the Inspectors
that. could the prison be furnished with u
capital of $500 per man, the labor of the con-
vcts would make the institution permanently
remunerative. This would give, with the
present number of convicts, total capital of
about 800, 200, and would necessitate an APP
preparation of $4,000.
Although during the past year, the prison
has made its receipts exceed its expenses, it
connot, reasonably, be expected to continue
| to make this exhibit without the aid of an in
creased capital, because the increased bust
ness, incident to the increasing number of
convcts, renders it necessary to enlarge the
stock or materials used in their labor: and,
besides this, large proportion of the manu-
features have to be sold long time before
anything can be realized from sales. The
limited capital at the command of the War
den has occasioned a degree of embarrass-
ment, on meeting current liabilities of a
! business SO large, that cannot long be sus-
tanned by any one conducting the business of
the prison. Without the possession of an in
creased capital, the only alternative must be
| to contract the business, thus diminishing the
labor of convicts, and resulting in an annual
deficit.
The ends hitherto attained by the large
outlay made upon this institution, have APP
proximated the results now contemplated and
it appears well nigh a certainty, that the basis
on which it would be placed by the appropri-
alton now suggested, and the possession OF
the capital thus secured, would be such that
no considerable additional aid from the State
would be required for long period to come.
They recommend the employment Of a
steady Chaplain at the prison instead of as
now depending upon the ministers oi
Thomaston. The Chaplains in their re-
port advise the same measure, and sug-
gest instruction for the boys and young
men and a separation of them from the
older convicts. The Physician speaks OF
the general good health of the prison
Upon the whole the condition of the Prison
is most satisfactory.
Mr.. Morrill, has presented in the House, for
reference to the Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads, bill to establish the follow