The Portland daily press., 1890-01-11
THE STATES CONWcTS WELL BEHAVED.
Inmates of the Big Building at
Thomaston Well Cared For.
The States unfortunates Made as
Comfortable as Possible.
Visitors to State Prison and Insane
Hospital Report.
Especial to the Press.l

Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, January 10.--The following re-.
port of the visiting committee to the Maine
State Prison was submitted to the Governor
and Council today:
To His Ercellency, the Governor, and the
E1ecutiue Council:
As visiting member to the State Prison, ,ap-
pointed and acting under section 46, chepter
14O of the Revised Statutes, herewith sub.
nit for your consideration brief report OF
my observations at that institution during
the present year Visits have been made
nearly every month, some by appointment
and in connection with the Honorable Board
of Inspectors of Prisons and Jails, and
others. at irregular intervals and not at
stated periods, in order to observe the daily
operations of the p.ison. The prison proper
seems well adapted for the care aud restraint
OF the inmates. and vigilance on the part of
the officers is very marked. Rules for the
government of the conyicts are plac ID In ev-
cry cell SO that none need TO plead ignorance
with them, thereby hoping to escape punish
ment for any violation; and here, allow me
to add, the record of punishments Is COM
paratively snall thereby indicating that the
Inmates have been consistently dealt with
and that the majority of them are endeavor-
ing tu conduct themselves in such a manner
as to receive the benefit of the time deduc-
tion allowed by law.
The buildings In their present condition,
occupied for general purposes and for carry
ing un the several industries, are not, as a
whole, from economic ana sanitary stand
point, such as the State would be proud of,
and no doubt can exist but that the legisla-
ture OF 1889 had a full knowledge of the con-
dltlon and wants OF the prison when it pass
ed resolve authorizing the Governor and
Council to appoint three commissioners tn
inquire into the expedlency of removal, etc.
The several industries show gain in their
respective departments, some, however, more
satisfactory than others. Tie carriage de-
partmeDt by law is assigned 20 per cent Of
the labor which is distributed am0ng several
sub-departments. over which are placed
Skilled and experienced OverSeers, whose
salaries are charged up to that department,
thereby placing them to disadvantage as to
expense OF operating when compared with
other industries employing the same number
OF men and requiring only one general over
seer.
The financial standing of the prison is very
satisfactory, as will appear by the detailed
report of the warden. A few essential re-
pairs and improvements have been made at
small expense, which will contribute to the
comfort of all connected with the institution.
involve, too large an expenditure to be
charged up to building and repairs" with
out special appropriation which will have
tn await the action of the legislature. Inter
views have been granted to all who have ex-
pressed desire to be heard, and in the ma
1ority OF cases their only motive was to con-
vince the committee of their unjust convic-
tiOn ~ in view of obtaining a pardon. No
complaints OF serious nature have been
made as to personal treatment or in regard
IA nr
An interesting feature at the PRISON is the
Sunday services which all the convicts are
required to attend, unless excused by the
warden. 1 am inclined to believe that If the
prisoners We're brought more often in con-
tact with spiritual adviser that, while the
results would be brought about, and If only
one-and believe thele are many-sh0uld
determine to reform and be "man for all
i O. that" he might ipdifscsiy save to the ssv,
amount expended for the education and ele-
vation of those within the prison walls.
The prison has also received official visits
from my associates on the committee of
lency. the Governor, and the. honorable
council, during which further inspections
were made, and suggestions offered when
deemed necessary. My association with the
warden, officers and inspectors has been
very pleasant and all of those officers ap-
q
heart TOBIAS LORD.
Council Chamber, December 81, 1889.
The Insane Hospital.
The visiting committee to the Insane Hos
pital submitted today the following report:
To His Ercellency, the Governor, and the
Erecuttre Council Of the State Of Maine:
The visiting committee to the Maiue In
sane Hospital herewith respectfully submit
for your consideration their annual report of
the condition of that institution for the year
ending December 1st, 1889. We have con-
lined ourselves very closely to our well de-
hned duty In visiting the hospital, viz, ito
ascertain II tue inmates thereof are humane
ly treated" This your committee regard as
very responsible duty. as all will agree that
no class OF suffering humanity has larger
claim on our sympathies than those bereft of
reason. We think that with the extensive
aud expensive repairs on the buildings, in
Guiding the chapel and amusement hall, of
which you have been advised In other re.
ports. and with the two new pavilions au-
thorlZed by the legislature of 1889, to be
ready for use In the near future, the capacity
OF the institution will be such as will fully
meet the requirements of the State for the
present, as We are pleased to state that there
has been no marked increase Of patients the
past year, and hone refused admission that
have applied for treatment.
The year opened with a somewhat con-
luocu CouuibiUu Vi hdtttES dt bu6 nUSpltdl
caused largely by the existence and trying
ordeal through which the Institution had
jast passed with diphtheria, but we feel
more than pleased to be able to report the
hospital entirely free from that or any other
epldemlc at the present time, and that II Is
In the enjoyment of good degree of pros.
perity. This is most gratifying. as in our
Judgment nothing conduces more TO the COM
fort and Improvement of the patients than
frequent change and large variety Of
amusements, recreations and religious SER
vices, which,, for time. were necessarily
suspended. We noticed during the time Of
disinfectlon OF the buildings that the pa
tients that were taken out and kept outside
for while were so well cared for that in
stead OF being depressed or discomforted by
the change. they enjoyed it, and were appar
emily improved.
The facilities for heating, lighting and
water supply to the Institution are good and
sufficient for all purposes. The ventilation
aud cleanliness of all parts of the Institution
have always been highly satisfactory. We
have found sufficient amount and In good
condition, also the wearing apparel Of the
patients tidy and comfortable. The system
of letter boxes has been continued through
out the year ana TO some OF the patients this
is source of evident satisfaction.
We have frequently visited the kitchen
and examined the supplies and methods of
cDoking, and also the dining rooms at meal
time. For part OF the wear the Institution
has l,bored under disadvantage while the
Kitchen was undergoing repairs. These
repairs have been extensive. The kitchen
is now thoroughly supplied with new and
improved apparatus; this with an improved
system of conveying food, with the album
dant supplies we have always found and
under the supervision of so efficient and
faithful person as the present matron we
believe will remove all cause for complaint
in this important department. All of these
things we think to be essential to the
humane treatment of the patients, and with
these and most important of all with their
care in humane hands, the State can be
assured that the inmates of Its Asylum are
comfortably situated.
1t is but simple justice to add that the
superintendent and his associates are ad-
miraby adapted to this work, and having
made 1t business and study are rendering
valuable service to the State.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
j. B. BRACKErT, ,-.-,.,
S. W. OARR. visiting
MRS. TOBIAS LORD. Committee.