Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-24

Following 10 an abstract Of the report d
the Inspectors Of Jails and Prisons on the
Jails Of the State:
The thirteen jails in the State, have each
been visited - often - vas thought best.
Many of them have been much improved,
some remain about a. heretofore, while one
or two are worse than ever. The population
in them 10 Of Q Transient and varied character.
Some other place should b provided for
boys arrested for crime between 10 and IA,
besides jails and reform SCHOOL,; the educa
ton they get il not that which will be likely
to make them good citizens.
November 30. 1888. there were in the Jails
$40 - against 272 in 1882. The whole nun
Der committed in 1888, was 2.752, against
1921 in 1882. 143 poor debtors were com
mitted. 16 prisoners escaped, OF whom
weae retaken. l,037 persons were committed
for drunkenness, with none from Somerset
county. 1877 persons we're committed for the
sale of Intoxicating liquors. none Of whom
we're from Somerset, Lincoln or Waldo.
The jail At Auburn is in good condition.
The labor in the shop continues to be EN-
ployed in the manufacture of inner soles on
account of the county.
The Jail at Houlton 10 good one Of it,
kind and sufficient for the uses Of the coun-
ty; its sanitary condition is good.
The jail at Portland is the largest in the
State. Its average population is more than
one-half of that of the State Prison. The
cellar has been cleaned out but more needs
to be done 10 make the sewerage what it
should be. The manufacture Of inner soles
continues to he carried on in the shops on &C.
count Of the county.
The Jail at Pennington is in - good order
- could be expected for one of its kind.
Some necessary repairs have been made.
The Jail at Ellsworth remains much the
same Is formerly, worse if anything, and
it il unfit for the purpose for which jails
are intended. 1t 10 not safe; three of the
very worst class of prisoners have escaped
from it during the past year and now 60 At
large unpublished for their crimes. 1t 10 not
human to incarcerate human beings therein
aad 10 continued disgrace to the county of
Hancock.
The Jail in Augusta is in its usual condi-
ton. Three hundred dollars have been ex-
pended ON repairs. A new door 10 needed
between the warden's of1se and the Jail
proper, for the safety Of all concerned. The
system of social intercourse 10 not what
boots and shoes is still carried on for the
county.
The Jail at Wiscasset is used for Jail for
the county Of Knox. II is not suitable for
this purpose any more than the purposes of
the county of Lincoln.
The jail at Paris 10 in good order. Two
hundred dollars has been expended in repairs
during the past year. New fastenings have
been put upon the windows, new iron bed
steads furnished and the building generally
put in good shape. 1t 10 ample and sufficient
for the needs of the county. The one only
occupant Nov. 2lst told us that his accom-
modations were '.better than he deserved"
The Jail at Bangor continues to be frat
class institution. 1t 10 used for Jail by the
county of Piscataquis. The manufacture of
brooms is carried on in the shop by prisoners
leased. In the return given BY the sheriff he
gives as pardoned 10 "by judges of police
court" As no such return 10 given by any
other jailer in the State, we give the return
for the benefit of whom it may concern.
The Jail at Norridgewock is kept in good
order. 1t is an old Jail, but sufficient for the
county. One hundred and seventy-fve dol
lars was expended last year in repairs. Sew
enteen persons were committed in 1888, five
of whom were poor debtors. Crime seems to
be at discount in this county ~ well - in
Oxford and Franklin.
The Jail in Belfast remains unchanged. At
our last visit we found noticeable improve
ment in its condition.
The Jail at Machias is in good order and
we'll kept. Seventy-fvs dollars have been
expended In repairs.
The jail in Alfred 10 in the best condition,
80 far as we know, that it has been since its
erection. Two hundred dollars has been ex-
pended in repairs which were very necessary
to its safety and sanitary condition. 1t is
now aatisfactQrH.