Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-30
Reform School Reports.

Reform School Reports.
The commission appointed to investi-
gate the State Reform School have COM
pleted their work and made their reports
TO the Governor and Council The reports
substantially agree as to facts and recon-
mendations.
The commission found the buildings
and other property in good condition, the
boys well fed and comfortably clad. but
the discipline harsh, the punishments ex-
tremely severe in some instances, and the
mingling of bad and depraved boys with
the better class of boys in the institution
an evil Of large proportions. OF the spe-
cial charges made by Gov. Plaisted in his
campaign speeches there is no particular
mention. Very little complaint is made
Of the care bestowed upon the sick, and it
Is evident from the bill of fare published
and the remarks of the commission that
the inmates Of the institution are not
starved but as well fed as the most OF
boys are at their own homes.
But there can be no question that the
punishments of some kinds inflicted have
been excessive, cruel, should never have
been allowed and ought summarily to be
abolished. The excuse for them is we
presume that the boys upon whom such
excessive punishments were inflicted could
not otherwise be restrained and controlled :;
but it would have been better to send such
lads to Jail or prison where they have
bolts and bars that forbid the necessity of
wearing heavy iron clogs upon the limbs
months at a time to prevent cul prits from
escaping. 1t is probably the keeping OF
such hardened offenders within the school
that has caused the general discipline and
management to assume the harsh, repul-
sive. and anything but reformatory aspect
in which they are presented in these re-
ports. In order to govern few unruly.
depraved characters, the whole discipline
Of the school has been changed
from the original purpose. and made
TO conform to that of criminal institutions
in large degree, and depart radically
from the system which should exist in H
juvenile reformatory institution. Wher
ever the blame may rest for this state OF
things-and We imagine it is not alone
with the trustees and officers-there
should be change and reform. The
institution should be made to conform to
the original purpose. Those features in
the statutes which permit or tend to the
changing Of the school to prison should
be stricken out 1t should be made and
kept reform school and not prison.
OF the necessity of changing the whole
svstem- including the erection Of other
buildings to take the place of the present
ones. as recommended by at least two OF
the commission. there will be dissenting
opinions. This would cause heavy ex-
pense to the State. which in our financial
circumstances there will be strong objec-
ton to mourning until it has been proved
that the present buildings under better
management will not accomplish the
purpose intended. First stop the intro
duction of boys into the school who ought
to be in prison. change the discipline to
correspond. put in men OF common sense,
with kindness and irmness judiciously
mingled. as officers and teachers. and try
what these will do in the existing build
ings; then if the school fails to bring forth
the desired results, and the system OF
small buildings and more home-like
methods prove better where they are be-
ing tried, we can gradually adapt the
school and buildings to that plan.
The legislature will doubtless grapple
with this subject at the coming session.
and will need to apply its best judgment
and experience in solution of the diff
cult problem which will confront them.