The Portland daily press., 1884-12-30
MAINE STATE PRISON.
Annual Report OF the inspectors of tbe
State Prison of Maine and of fhe Warden
and Subordinate Clfcers.


The prison inspectors say that they find the
financial condition perfectly satisfactory; no
debt contracted and no need of appropriation
to carry on the business OF the prison. The
appropriation of the Legislature of 1883 fur
nished the warden with sufficient means to
run the manufacturing business of the prison
on cash basis. Under the judcious manage
ment of Warden Bean the prison shows an in
crease in profits during the year of moro than
$4,000, which is added to the resources of the
prison.
There is no debt hanging over the prison,
and no business firm with better credit
The quality of goods manufactured has i'm
proved and the demand increased aud parties
outside OF the State have purchased large
part OF the product.
Through an oversight, the approximation of
$40 made by the Legislature of 1888 for
building and repairs and $500 for the prison
library was not available to the warden. Con-
sequently bat few repairs could be made dur
ing the year.
The inspectors say an appropriation sufie-
Isn't to bald new Blacksmith shop to take
the place of the old Que, which is much de-
csyed and also too small, must be made the
coming winter so that it can be built early in
the coming spring. Improved tools and ma
chinery Is needed SO that the greatest amount
and the best class OF work may be done, be-
lieving that the same improvements in shop
tools and machinery, and the economy In us
ing them, should apply to State institution
as to private business.
CRIMES IN MAINE.
According to the records of prisons and iails
OF our State, large amount of crime has been
committed within the State during the year.
Tue prime cause of crime, as connected with
the prison is lack of good home influence and
education. Next come tippling, gambling
leWdness and iltemperance. Then begins the
commission of other crimes, small at first, but
increasing in bodpess; more men come to pri-
son With signs of lewdness upon them than
With intemperance. A large majority of the
convicts when discharged have no home to go
to where there can bs any hope of reform. A
few who go out mean to live honest and sober
lives, but alas, have not good home and
neither the State nor society gives them much
aid, protection or encouragement in their
efforts.
OF the 80 convicts committed to the prison
this year have served former sentence, 6 or
more have served sentences in other prisons; 2
in the Reform School; 10 in jails 13 COM
mitted crimes against persons; 80 against prop
erty; A need liquors; 8 did not; At use tobacco;
8 do not So were married.; II were not; had
trade (learned in the prison during previous
sentences); 49 had none; were confined for
crime traoeabe to intemperance.
Intemperance the inspectors say, is not the
cause of majority of State prison crimes. In
the iails it is otherwise. Probably three
tourths of all the crimes, including drunken-
ness, punishable by sentences to jail, are caused
by intern perance; that is to say, the commits
sion of this assists him in the commission OF
other and graver crimes
SANITARY.
E The sanitary condition of the prison during
the past year has been excellent. There have
been no deaths or serious accidents during the
year. This is owing to good wholesome food
an abundance of vegetables the daily ration
of milk, cleanliness of the apartments, etc,
WATER SUPPLY.
The inspectors deem the water supply insult
fcient and think some measures should be
use of the prison and the protection of the
property.
EsTIMATEs FOR 1885 AND 1886.
EFor 1885.
For building and repairs 49,. .......$1 900
For prison library ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1OO
Building new blacksmith shop and fur
nishing same, such sum as shall be
deemed necessary. ..........................
For 1886.
For building and repairs. ..,.... 81 900
For prison library. 1OC
They recommend that eleven guards instead
OF ten be appointed.
The expenses of the prison have decreased
under the present management. The cost oil
running the prison for the year of 1884 s more
| than $l5, 900 less than in 1880. They recon-.
mend that the salary for the services of SC
| faithful and efficient an Cficer as tho warden
| one of tho most important positions in the
State, should be increased.
Total cost of the prison to the State, includ-
| ing all salaries and money appropriated for re-
pairs of buildings, and prison library for the
past five years, has been as follows: