The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-02
STATE PRISON.
Visitor Lords Report to the Governor
and Council.

The following is the report of the Hon.
Tobias Lord, official visiting committee to
the State Prison:
To The Honorable, the Gooernor and Eeec-
atiue COunciL:-
In submitting the Annual Report, as visit
ing committee to the State Prison for the
year 1890, 1t is pleasing to say that nothing
has come under my observation in the man
agement of this institution that calls for al
verse criticism.
The inmates, as whole, seem to appreci-
ate their kind treatment; and while the dis.
cipline is, of a necessity, somewhat rigid, 1t
is only those who wilfully break the rules or
commit some misdemeanOr that are placed III
punishment. No work is done on stint
whereby one would be subject to punish
ment or deprived Of time deduction allowed
by law, for nOn-fulfillment; yet everyone Is
expected and required to do his share OF
labor according to his aptness and ability.
1t Is surprising, in many instances, what
skilled work can be done by some who have
failed to profit by their ingenuity to earn
their bread by honest toll when outside the
prison walls.
In the discharge of prisoners question
arises, whether or no, the State has done Its
full duty and should lose all interest in dis
charged man when he is given change Of
clothes and small amount of money barely
sufficient t. pay his transportation, If to
remote part Of the State, and then expect
uII W III every luSbduCO WutH III 10
so difficult to obtain employment on account
of the prejudice for his having "served
time" No doubt many have friends who,
anticipating their release, have provided en-
ployment for them or who will, at least, fur
nish them an abiding place until work can
be had. Others. 1t matters not, whether it
is in mid-winter or otherwise, when they are
turned out" so to speak, at the expiration
of their sentence are left to shift for them
selves, with scarcely enough to keep them
the first night after arriving at their desti-
nation. Is 1t not expedient that the whole
matter OF discharged inmates from all the
penal institutions in the State be made a
subject of legislative inquiry, and some
method devised whereby they could be as
sisted In obtaining employment, and thus be
encouraged from committing the second of
tense. Most assuredly so if it is actual want
that prompts them to committh act. Abuse
of confidence might often be expected and,
even then should others who are DESTROYS of
reforming suffer from this?
At each visit the condition of the prison.
ers has been inquired into and interviews
granted whenever a request for one was
made. The standard of the prison diet has
been maintained during the year and no
complaints in this direction have been
made.
NE various industries have beep carried
on quite successfully; and the financial
standing of the prison is on a good business
basis, as will appear by the Reports of the
Warden and Honorable Board of Inspectors.
feel 1t my duty to urge upon the State the
great necessity of making liberal appropri-
alton for general repairs and improvements,
which need not here be enumerated, as the
prison committee. on part of the legislature
Will, In the near future, acquaint themselves
with what is necessary to place the prison in
a sanitary, economical and business-like con-
ditioD, and in keep with more modern insti-
tutions In other States.
The warden, inspectors and subordinate
officers have manifested deep interest in
behalf of the State; and no reason is now
apparent, should the legislature adopt the
recommendations of those officers, why the
which it was designed.
TOBIAS LORD.
Council Chamber, Augusta, Me-, Dec. 31st,
1890