Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-23
NAMES JAIL BIRDS.
How They Became So and
What They Are Doing.
Warden Allen Of Maine State Prison
Reports Good Showing.
Various Troubles that Lose Many Men Their
Liberty Other Facts.

The annual reports of the inspectors
warden and subordinate officers of the
Maine State prison have been sub
mitted for the year 1896
This report is one that everyone is
interested in. There is nothing in the
word that man likes to look al
from the outside SO well as a prison
The people in it are chosen people
selected people; perhaps not for theil
virtues, but that doesn't matter.
There is something very humane
about prison. especially to one who
realizes how it is only comparatively
recently that prisons have become
penal institutions. Less than one cen.
fury ago one finds them merely places
of detention to await some dire punish
ment. So then, aside from the decent
treatment, the prisoners are lucky, py
comparison with their brothers of a
few years back
AS one goes through the great prison.
hive of rehabilitation, one wonders:
And how came all these men here, .
and What are they all doing with
themselves"
All these questions the report will
will answer. 1t is long and can be
given here in fragments
The report of the inspectors, Messrs
Whitman Sawyer. A. w. Gilman and
Augustus Bailey is first given 1t says
in part:
The prison has been found by us in
satisfactory condition, with build
fngs and grounds well kept cleanly in
every way. The food has been suff
Gent, and the prisoners have been well
looked after generally.
Discipline has been maintained. and
the only punishment inflicted-solitary
confinement-is seldom resorted to.
There has been little sickness thanks
to the ventilation, good food, and
watchfulness of DR.. Walker.
The mortality has been light. only
two having passed away: Micah w.
Norton, aged rs, sentenced Oct. /. 1890,
for life. died June %, 1896, from natural
causes; David LAWYER, 80 sentenced
1894 for five years. while in a fit of
temporary insanity jumped from a
window and met his death.
There have been no alterations made
OF any consequence. The work of ed
Icating the convicts has been steadily
going on. The prisoners are separately
taken into the library where their les
sons are heard in the day time: in the
evening through the bars of the cells
1t would be in keeping with the ad-
vancement of other penal institutions
of this country to have proper school
room accommodations
The financial affairs have been man.
aged with usual ability by Warden
Allen. During his administration few
IL any poor accounts have gone onto
the books
More available funds are on hand
than usual, anticipating a change in
wardens. on the supposition that the
new one Will prefer to make his own
purchases. There are only $57.97 in
current liabilities. The manufacturing
interests have held up we'll notwith-
standing general business depression.
1T has been recommended that a ma
iron be provided for the female de-
partment. Recent events justify US in
urging immediate action on this meas
ure. The additional expense in salary
would be $500 or $500 This would be
returned in part, if not wholly with a
suitable matron at the head.
The law should be amended to allow
a prisoner at least money enough to
get home after his release. Any good
resolves he has made are liable to be
broken at first by stealing or begging,
unless his transport home is otherwise
provided for.
The committee extends it's thanks to
Hon. O. B. Clason of Gardiner, the Wis
iting member of the executive council,
who has often accompanied it on its
visits, and also to Warden Allen for
many courtesies received; the chaplain
and all subordinate officers.
The stock account shows summary
of $5S, S58 II divided as follows: Equip
ment, $l1 061.6S; building repairs.
$569.4o; fuel and lights, s3403; expenses
account, $764.34: subsistence account,
$455. SO; clothing department. $3699.59:
harness department, 81, 1890: carriage
department. $21. 669.03: broom depart
.ment. $759317 furniture department,
s1S21.7S.
The assets shows in addition to the
above, $9927.76, cash in bank; $2357.61,
cash on hand; $392935. insane depart
ment; $222.o7, old notes receivable;