Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-12
WELL TREATED.
Sheriff Hams Boarding
House on the Hill
Is a Refuge Enjoyed by Many
of the Patrons.
I. is the County Jail, But Inmates Are
Well Treated.

Many people have the idea that HE
AT the Kennebec county jail Is one
roIrd Of hardship and work. but II Is
nevertheless fact that the average
missioner at the jail. at the present tiHif'
receives az good food, and has less ar
duous labors to perform than was
their lot In everyday life. in the out
side world. The Jail. or what might pt'-
Ter he called a boarding house, Is
model Of neatness. being tnoroueniS
cleaned every day. and the lnicrope9
fully demolished. This work OF cieahihs
the main walks, corridors. etc, IS I'M
der direct supervision of the turnkey
who appoints Il men every morning W
do the routine cleaning. Then CURING
the week there are men detailed TO 90
the qpec,aI work, such as scrupDinS
the window silis etc. Taken altogether
the iail is a pretty clean institution. as
CLEAN AZ any public building in Angus
ia.
Evcrvthing is spick and span. and
with all his the prisoners get clean.
.pFolesor.. food. and y nat is better yet.
enough Of it, Breakfast is served at :.
and consists OF u DZs. Of light. white
bread and tea: supper at o'clock ami
consists Of the same. except IN IN"
quantity OF bread which is reduced 10
oZs: dinner is served at II O'Clock
and is as follows: sunday. Baked
beans: Monday, bee. soup; Tuesday.
bear soup: Wednesday, pea soup
Thur sdav baked beans; Friday, iisn
chowder and Saturday. beef soup. with
these. potatoes. bread and vegetables
are furnished. and tn" entire meal IS
cooked well. which together with the
general good quality Of the food. makes
a very palatable meal
The quantity OF food disposed OF by
the inmates, is at first glance consid-
cred enormous. For instance, for the
dinner Monday. Sheriff Ham. will have
80 pounds of meat. a bushel of potatoes.
besides Il quantity OF vegetables, MAX
ing pretty good sized meal for the
prisoners.
The cooking is generally in the hands
Of some Of the inmates. as there is Of
tor n member Of the profession at the
institution But IL there is not first
clus- cook at hand Sheriff Ham en-
Cages the services of Il capable man
and then the cooking Is all that could
b. desired in model home. The bread
IL purchased at the bakers. and il the
sane that is served In the many lunch
rnorns. etc. through tho city.
The fare is distributed from the cook
room on the first floor. by the walters.
1rusiy men detailed for the service. and
is distributed by them along the tiers
OF cells These walters are granted a
little moro liberty than the other pri-
soncrs. az they are az a rule the most
trus;y and we'll behaved men.
Even the air in the jail Is clean. and
anyone with the least tendency toward
nnclcanlincss Is put through a vigorous
course Of scrubbing. AS one steps into
the jail proper. from Sheriff Hams
headquarters. he Is at Once struck with
the scrupulous neatnnss Of the place.
The floor is innocent OF the least sug-
gestioE of dirt the walls glow with
whiteness. and tho windows are always
clean. letting in the cheering rays ..
the sun. from early morn until late ir
the afternoon. Proceed ding along tn
rowe of tiers Of cells. ard CHANGING in
side at the hunks" one can see then
all neatly arranged the blankets rolled
up AMI everything in place.
During the day the men have theil
labors to perform in the work shop
The work here consists OF cuttinf
leather into backs:ays for shoes am
small mattress buttons but this shir
will not accommodate all at one time
so the men are worked in crews. on
working in the morning and the other
in the afternoon. A certain amount o;
work is supposed to be turned out by
each man. although if he does not meet
the required figures. the officials are
lenient and generally overlook the mat
ter while on the other hand. should
the men exceed the stipulated days
work. they receive extra pay in cash
and this goes toward supplying them
with the Injuries of life, such as to.
bacCo. etc.
There have been in the pest few week.
representatives from several women's SO
cieties. or one in particular. call At tn
iail and advocate reform i'm a mild wa.
within the precincts OF the jail. 1t is thei
intention to better the moral condition o
the prisoners, and the idea advocated It
perform this end Is the abolishirg OF IN
striped suit now common in jails through
out the country. also to hold meetings a
an entertainment, and change the foo
supply. This is all right in way, but a
the men are sent 10 the institution 70
punishment and not for entertainment
is hardly practical
At the present time the Jail Is at il
highest proficiency. and many of the dis
charged prisoners are delighted to relat
their satisfaction at the treatment re
ceived in the Institution.
Then again II is advocated that tn
prisoners be classified according to thei
social position in life. This plea seem
all right in some jails. but is not consid
cred practical in Kcnnebec county, ow
ing Ia the size of the building. At pres
emit meetings are often held in the jail fo
the purpose of spiritual advancement
among the men. but several have bee
known to ridicuie these meetings as 500
as they are granted their freedom. a
though they admit that II is interestin
In the Jail. that is. when they have mott
ing else to do.
The Jail at the present time is comfort
ably tiled. the men being put two in
cell. there being now In the neighborhoo
of 81 prisoners. Three of these are VIC
men. The list of offences for which tn
inmates have sacrificed their liberty ar
many and varied. although there are bu