Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-16

Report Of Inspectors of State Prison, Coun-
~ JRiis and Warden OF STATE Prison.

N
The Inspectors report that the amount OF prop
erty owned by the State, and connected with the
prison, is 800, sO52l. The sales of the carriage
and harness department amount to Si7,7i6l2 /;
of boots and shoes, S7l95.4S. The earnings of
the prison the past year have amounted to S22,
299.H. and the expenses 1872, l09.44-lcaving a
balance against the prison of $3.50. An appro-
priation by the legislature to cover this deficit,
which is due 10 the depression ia business, &c,
will be necessary.
There are SO more convict. than last year, land
still there's more to follow" The earnings for
the next year are therefore estimated at 81, 900,
and the expenses at $33, 900. An appropriation is
recommended to cover this deficiency.
Daring the past year the west wing OF the
prison has been extended go feet, which will,
when completed, furnish additional sccommoda-
tOn for 81 prisoners. In its erection about $4,000
have been expended, and it will require $1,000
more 10 finish it. The blacksmith shop has been en-
larged Tie whole amount expended for building
and repairs IS $40 1890, for which appropria-
ton of $4,000 was made by the last legislature
thus leaving balance of "a, iS3 o. to which add
81 900 to complete the prison, making S5,48305,
for which an appropriation Will be needed. The
Inspectors think enlargement of the harness
Shop necessary.
w uOt NUMBER OIL persons COUmlltfu 10 our
ads during the year, 1854 number committed
last year, 1878. From this the unpleasant infer
ent may be drawn that crime is on the increase.
OF the entire number, 1877 have been committed
to the jalls having workshops, 4S1 to those jals
having no workshops. Nearly all who have been
sentenced 10 mere than thirty DAYS, have been
committed to jas having workshops, and made
to 40 something towards their support. From
Wiscassst and Auburn reports have been re-
ceyed of the expenses or profits Of the workshops;
the shop at Bangor has paid its expenses; that at
Augusta has realized net profit of S5i5, and the
one at Portland Of $500. But the chief benefit
TO be derived from the shops is in giving to the
prisoners habts Of industry and discipline There
mas been a marked Improvement in the manage
ment OF the jals at Augusta and Belfast. There
is need Of improvement in the Jail at Houlton the
lower cells of which are damp, dark and I'M
hefl'hv The jail al Ellsworth is neither safe nor
comfortable, and should be remodelled at once
With the management of the jalls in the remain
ing counties. the Inspectors are quite well salts
fed.
Religious services have been held on the Sab
bath in the jails at Auburn, Augusta, Portland
and Bangor. school has been maintained in
the jail at Bangor. The report is signed by the
Inspectors, Hon. VIM. Wilson. Hon Rufus Prince
and Or. A. J. Billings.
TIE REPORT OF THE WARDEN,
W. w. Rice, shows that the number of convicts
on the lst day of Dec, 1876, was Males, 1863 ,
females, q total, III. Average number for the
wear, 100. Present number Males, 203 females, t.
Total. 201. Average for year, lsS. There were "A
committed during the year, for the following
crimes Larceny, 80; breaking and entering, I {;
assault ami battery, 5; forgery, 81 burglary, 1 !;
receiving stolen goods, 3; manslaughter, 8; muir
det, toobely, 2; arson, adultery, assault
10 tape, assault to ravish l.
Period of sentence of those committed in 1877
One year, !; oyears and over one, rs three
years aud over two, IA four years, s; five years
b. eiyht | to |
teen wears, hfe 3.
1t is gratifying 10 note that less proportion OF
those admitted during the year are for "crimes
against the person" than hitherto, showing that
the increase in crime is in consequence of there
b. iug less demand for labor than in the more
pro- petous times. A large number of those com
nt'ed were tramps. OF the 207 convicts in
pti-"n, lS6 are serving for their first conviction,
l. ion The second, s Tor the th.d, aud one for the
.evt nth.
lie usual good health of the convicts has con.
tinurd duing the year; only two deaths have
Cured Charles l.. Eastman and William RuiV,
he pa tculats of which given in the report OF
the pri.ou physician, DIR. j. +. Walker who has
been faitt full and sklliful in his ATTENDANCE upon
the sick.
There have been no escapes from the prison,
aad Notwithstanding the confusion consequent up
on the building operations, which have necessi-
tated the employment OF con, iderabe outside
he p, there has been no serious disturbance by
X has been found necessary 10 resort to- very lit
tie.
The clcrgymen Of rhomsstou have ofliciated as
chap am, very acceptably, and with some good
results.
The instructor, d. j. S.srrett. Esq has con
tinued his efforts to teach the more ignorant of
couvicts, and the school room which the extern
sion provides will enable him to make his labors
of greater value to the State.
During this year two prisoners have been sent
to the Insane Asylum-John Burke and John
Wall.
Mr. Star,ett, the Teacher, reports that about
- prisoners are under instruction, as follows In
Arithmetic 60; geography 20; grammar 5 spell
iug 50, writing rs; reading 10, To this number
may be added about twenty who will commence
study as soon as the new school room is opened.
Crime is found to be closely allied with gnor-
ance; of the "A received the past year, nearly
one-fo fourth could read but the simplest words not
more than five had a common school education.
Parents neg ectsd to see to it that their children
attended school. Many who come to the prison
are runaway boys from school.