The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-01-24
House Of Correction.

complaint of conditions at the house
of correction in Rutland there was
little real live interest evidenced in
the press of the state, at least there
was no hystrical outbreak such as
probably would have been witnessed
in almost any other commonwealth.
This, after all, is most excellent
sign, for it demonstrated that there
was no inclination to condemn any
one or anything off-hand, but rather
a desire to wait until the facts were
determined and presented by the in
vestigators.
The joint standing committee on
the house of correction 49, made its
report of it's findings in Rutland. II
will come as matter of surprise to
many that the house of correction is
of such small expense to the state.
II is known that most of the inmates
there are engaged in the marble In
dustry From their work the man
agement has turned into the state
treasury in the past II years, $780,
1909, a small portion of which was
in fines and costs. The state during
the same period has appropriated to
the institution $3.50, 5000, and the
committee determines that the an
nual cost to the state of the house
of correction during the IL years has
been only a little more than $1,S00.
From these figures it would appear
that here, at least, was one place
where the city of rigid economy
ought not to be listened to if it aims
at blocking any reforms or any I'M
proyements that are plainly neces-
sary for the good of the unfortunates
who are confined within the walls.
1t is the belief of the committee
that the mon who work the nine
hours a day in the marble shop ought
to get more substantial food. 1t is
declared that the superintendent
ought to buy better meat. More milk
should be furnished for the prisoners
tea and coffee, That is plain talk.
Presumably there is weakness
found and cure suggested. There
won't be any objection from anyone
in the state against feeding the in
mates a sufficient quantity of good
plain food every day. The house of
correction is no place TO serve course
dinners, true enough, but the rations
that are given out ought to be good
in quality and sufficient in quantity.
The committee finds that the mar
BILE shop is a source of profit to the
state, but it also recognizes that the
state has no more right to exploit
every individual who comes there
than a private entrepreneur has to
exploit the woman, the child, and the
man on equal terms. Not every per
son sent to Rutland is physically able
to work in the shop He may appear
to be and he may be assigned to
tasks there much to the detriment OF
his health in the future. The com
mittee. therefore, recommends that
other and less severe work be pro-
vided for such inmates as ought not,
with justice, to be employed in the
marble works. Il is also recommend
ed that there be provision made for
more outdoor exercise for those who
are closely confined TO their work.
Nothing here that can cause any Of
Tense to anyone who has the welfare
OF his fellow man at heart
Even the buildings at the institu-
ton do not measure up to the stand
ard that attracts the committee. In
the report there are two statements
that ought to be considered together
in such a discussion, as this In the
first place it is pointed out that there
is no congestion in the house of cor
rection now, due TO a change in the
confinement law, but, on the other
hand, the committee thinks that as a
result of the law the congestion is
now in the county jails, and is of the
opinion that more prisoners could
be sent to Rutland. The importance
of the statement is emphasized when
it is seen that the committee finds
fault with the health conditions. de-
claring that the ventilation of the
cells is not good enough The poor
ventilation is not the result of over
crowding, but because of physical de-
tects in the building An appropria-
ton is asked for in which to remedy
this trouble
In considering this report, the pub
lie and the members of the leglsla.
ture must consider the truth that the
state has a duty that il must dis
charge to the prisoners at Rutland.
Because the prisoner has done socie-
~ a wrong, the state ought not to
turn around and do him wrong.
for two wrongs never make a right.
Public opinion will not permit of ad-
yantage-taking over prisoners. They
must be well treated, their health
must be safeguarded. so that when
they are turned back into the ranks
Of the free again. they will not be
more OF burden than they ever
were before
The public wants Justice done all
around. And it wants proper super
vision at the institution. Not that
The Messenger would say here that
such supervision is now lacking. it is
at this time merely discussing the
report of the joint committee. The
committee wants the board of penal
institutions TO keep in closer touch
with the superintendent of the house
of correction and wants that Official