Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-31

REPORT To THE COUNCIL
, OF Hon. 8. c. Hatch, President Of the Exc
cuttve Ouncu, ON the Maine Reform
School
Following is the report of S. c. Hatch OF
the visiting committee to the Maine Reform
School:
. STATE OF MAINE, COUNCIL CHAMBER,
|, Augusta, December 9th, 1883.
To HIS EIeeHeney. Governor Robe and
Erecutire Council
In conformity to the provisions of section
II, chapter 259. laws of 1888, the undersigned,
one of the visi-ing committee to the State
Reform School appointed by the Governor,
submits his yearly
/ REPORT.
The legislature of 1888, by an amendment
to chap. l42 of the revised statutes, relating
to the Reform School, provides in sec II of
said amendment, that the Governor shall ap-
point a committee of the Council to consist of
three. with whom shall be associated one
woman, to visit the State Reform School
from time TO time, examine into the treat
ment of the inmates, their condition and
progress, TO maintain a letter box in the
school to which the inmates shall at all times
treatment. etc and yearly. severally report
to the Governor and Council concerning the
| school, its conditions and needs. The COM
mittee appointed under authority Of sec. II.
made their first official visit in June. Mrs.
Hunt of Portland, the lady associated with
the committee, has been unable the past year
| to Join the committee in their official visit to
the institution. On our first visit to the Re-
form School. a letter box was established,
and the inmates of the school advised of the
purpose of the law under which the visiting
committee acted Rules were adopted and the
same printed and put up in several conspicu-
Gus parts of the building The officers of the
| institution expressed their readiness to CO.
operate with the committee in carrying out
the rules they had established, and to render
them in their work such assistance as was in
their power.
The boys seemed much gratifed that an
opportunity was to be given them to commu-
nicate their complaints, if any they should
have, to a committee under the authority of
law. The preliminary work necessary to
| organize for the future visits of the commit
tee having been arranged, the remainder Of
the day was given to an inspection of the
Reform School building and the farm build
ings connected Herewith. Everything was
found in good order, and the property of the
farm looked finely and appeared to be under
good state of cultivation. The farm i'm
plements and machines used on the farm were
of the latest and most approved pattern. Quite
| a number of the boys were at work In the
| fields, and seemed to take an interest in
their labors.
A call at the shops where many of the boys
are employed bottoming chairs with cane,
found them attentive and apparently interested
in their work. The knowledge and the habits
of industry the boys acquire by working in
the chair shop will, no doubt, be of value to
them after they leave the institution.
| visit to the school room during the hours
of study showed that the schools were well
managed, the teachers qualified for their
work, and the boys, as rule, interested in
their studies. A few of the boys manifest
quite desire to acquire an education and
become useful members of society. To
such, every facility consistent with the rules
of the school and the government of the insti-
tuition is offered.
The second visit of the committee was
made July 10th. The letter box was opened
and the eighty letters it contained were ex-
amined. In nearly all these letters the wri-
tiers expressed themselves satisfied with their
treatment by the officers of the school and
spoke kindly OF them. A few complained of
severe punishment for a violation of the
rules; others found fault with the food fur
nished them. The committee carefully in
quired into the complaints made, gave each
party complaining hearing, and after due
inquiry found but little ground for the dis
| satisfaction expressed. 1t must be remem-
bered that every boy in the Reform School
is there by sentence of the court for the vio-
lation of law, and therefore Presumably I'M
accustomed to recognize the propriety of
obedience to wholesome regulators.
The food provided for the boys seemed to
be of a good quality and sufficient in quanti-
ty. The institution appears to be well and
humanely managed. The Superintendent and
his assistant l think. are the fright men in
the right place." and seem to have the good
| of the institution at heart The law of last
winter in no doubt in the interest of the in
mates of the school, and good results will
come from its proper and Judicious enforce
ment In my judgment few changes in
that law should he made, the committee
should consist of two members of the coun-
ell Instead of three now provided, the
words with whom shall be associated one
woman" should be stricken out. The inter-
est of the school would be as well served by
a small committee and the State would be
saved quite an expense. l fully appreciate
the value of the services of lady as an
official visitor to any State Institution where
the inmates are composed wholly Or in one
part girls, but as the inmates of the Reform
School are exclusively boys, sent there under
the statutes of the State as Juvenile crimi-
nails 1t is questionable if the addition OF a
lady to the visiting committee is of practical
adv antage.
At our monthly meeting in August Septem
Der and October the committee found but
little change. if any, in the affairs of the
school; but few complaints were made, and
those not of a serious nature. An interview
with the boy complaining generally, resulted
in his acknowledgment of disobedience, with
a complaint of punishment disproportioned
to the offence.
The letters taken from the letter-box, at
the December session of the visiting commit
tee. contained complaints entirely of differ
ent character from any heretofore received.
Eighteen of the % letters received and ex-
amined, were from boys who desired to be
remanded to their alternative sentence.
MANY of these letters were from boys IN the
third class-beys not easily controlled, and
who undoubtedly would prefer serving two
or three months in the county Jail, to re-
manning in the Reform School during their
|, ,n;ror;ty Nearly every juvenile criminal