The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-01-15
BETTER FOOD
RECOMMENDED
Special Committee Doesn't Think House
of Correction Inmates Are Fed
As Well As They Should Be.
State House, Jan. 10,

nlttee on thc mousse OF correction, Mhlcl
has been expected for several days, an'
which il was understood would convey
censure of the present superintendent o
that institution, was presented in thu
Senate yesterday afternoon. The impor
r tant portions of the report are as fol
lows;
The joint committee visited the in.
stituton Friday, December d, and found
the buildings In good repair and the
prepises in good condition. The in
mats of the institution, with few eN.
ceMions, We're busily engaged with their
occupation in the marble industry and
aNeared. Ito be in good physical cond
tion. Tllechpspital was empty and only
a few inmates were confined TO their
cells on account of slight indspostion.
The educational facilities at the nstitu-
tion are worthy of commentator and
the lectures and entertainments that
are held periodically during the winter
all contribute to the moral welfare of
the inmates during their confinement.
The management of this institution
under the supervision of ID. l.. Morgan
has practiced rigid economy, and for
the PAM l2 years has paid to the state
Sl92 79l0g of this S2s, 1929 is for fines
and costs, while the institution has re.
ceived in appropriations a,55099 The
cost to the state during the l2 years
has been only $2l l,g0629. an annual cost
| OF little more than 81 800 to the
state The number of inmates CON
| fined at the institution at the present
time is only about one hundred but
there have been nearly double that num-
Der at different periods.
Profit in Marble Shop.
The revenue to the state from the
marble industry is partially account
able for this good showing, but it is
also apparent that the management has
brought profit to the state by the sale
of vegetables and other products of the
farm connected with the institution.
The superintendent has good reason to
feel proud of the financial showing made
at the institution during the 20 years
of his administration The congested
condition which formerly existed at this
institution is not the case to-day, due
largely to change in the law, enacted !
at the session Of 1910, where prison |
ers receiving a sentence of less than |
one year are now sent 10 the county |
iails.
Whereas the committee recalls the
abuses that existed under the former /
system, we believe the law las 1t now !
is has created an abuse in the opposite |
by causing crowded condi-
tion in our county jaiis, while many I
of the prisoners could be cared for much /
more economically at the house of cor
rection.
Before visiting the Institution the
received criticisms OF the
food provided for the prisoners and 20
made a speeikl Investigation Oh this de-
partment, and received the testimony Of
many of the inmates on this subject
The committee realizes that there is
serious question how much the state
should provide in the way OF food for
prisoners at n penal institution, and
this was more forcibly brought to the
attention of the members of the com
nittee by the testimony OF the pris-
lners themselves; some testified, shat
he food was as good as they were in
he habit of getting; others, that sit
sas as good as they deserved. they sup
posed; others, that they thought the
ood at times pretty bad" The com
nittee is of the opinion that the board
# penal institution should further in :
'estigate the matter of the food with
view to making an Improvement in !,
his department of the institution.
Better Food Necessity. ,
lnasmuch as large majority of these :
prisoners are toiling nine hours day G
n the marble shop for the benefit of
he state. the committee is of the opin
on that they should receive better and /
1ore substantial food, that they should G
eceiye more milk for their coffee and
ca, and that better meat should be
urchased by the superintendent.
The committee would further recon- D
iend that more outdoor exercise be al u
,wed the prisoners for the benefit of e
heir physical welfare, especially those Il
Tho are obliged to toll daily in the a
iarble shop. a
The committee is of the opinion that 81
he marble industry at the institution, Ii
Though it has been profitable TO the n
late, is a severe hardship to certain W
Ass OF the prisoners physically un n
for such work. and we respectfully al
to the board of penal insti- Sc
itions that they provide another in
ustry or occupation for the employ m
ent of those who are not physically Il
Die to work in the marble shop. fc
The committee further recommend m
lat the board of penal institutions get re
closer touch with the superintendent m
that institution and order the su- 10
TO give closer supervision as
the needs and requirements of the \
'isoners. tn
The committee is of the opinion that w
e insurance carried by the state on
is property is several times larger than y
necessary to provide adequate protcc- -
On from fire. We would respectfully
commend to the board. that they take
cessary steps to have this insurance
duced, as il would be a considerable lie
wing to the state.
Need Better Ventilation.
The committee believes that an inn
ovement should be made in the ven
alton of the buildings containing the
lis of the prisoners. and we recon-
md that the board of penal insti-
tions request the present legislature 10
rnish the necessary funds to provide tel
: the installation of an improved ven col
ating system. WI
All the suggestions and recommenda- th,
ns contained herein are respectfully gi,
lde by your committee to the board ne