Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-24
Annual Report of Governor and
Council Are Filed-Interest-
ing Figures on Railroads OPP
Grating in Maine
STATE HOUSE CHAT
Anonymous Letter Gives Game
Law Recommendations Worth
Reading - Premiums Award
ed for Grain Exhibits
Next meeting of the Governor and
Council a P. M, Wednesday,, Dec.


The annual report on the part of
the Governor and Council on States
prison and pardons, which was filed
Tuesday at the State House Is in part
as follows
Under the statutes of Maine the
supervision of the state Prison de-
wolves upon the Governor and Council
and, in the exercise of this supervision,
some member of the Committee on
State Prison and Pardons has regular
ly visited the prison at least once each
month.
The affairs of the prison have been
managed by Warden Ham to the entire
satisfaction of the committee. The
conduct of the shops and the sale OF
manufactured products has been in
accordance with correct business prin-
ciples and with favorable financial
results.
Several improvements have been
made in the condition of the buildings
and the inmates have been cared for,
so far as the limitations of the plant
and the means at the disposal of the
Warden would permit, according to
the best modern tendencies In prison
management. The steam engine and
dynamo used for generating electric
ity and the old water motors have been
discarded and new electrical equip
ment has been installed. Current for
both light and power is secured from
the Rockland, Thomaston and Cam
den Street Railway and improved SER
vice has been obtained. Under the new
arrangement a material saving in the
expense for light, heat and power can
hn on
changes are made in the heating APP
paratus. Whenever the necessary
funds are available the waterpipes
should be entirely renewed to prevent
the excessive waste of water which
now occurs and when this is done
water can be obtained through a me-
tered service, in the opinion of the
committee, at much less cost.
The buildings with the exception OF
the harness shop. are antiquated and
unsuitable for the purposes of the in
stitution. The Legislature should
make provision at an early date for
a new prison to be constructed along
the lines Of modern prison architect
ure and located at some more central
and convenient point where sufficient
land can be obtained for cultivation
by the inmates III tTlS can Hoh pc
accomplished extensive changes should
be made in the present structure.
The cells should be enlarged and better
sanitary arrangements provided and
hospital quarters should be established
where the sick can be properly cared
for and those suffering from infectious
diseases segregated
We believe that changes should also
be made in the laws which regulate
the management of the institution. A
Prison Commission to consist of five
members should be created to exer-
else a supervision over the prison and
with authority to select the Warden
and subordinate officers. The Board
of Inspectors of Prisons and Jails
should be abolished and all Of the
powers and duties of that board should
be conferred upon the Prison Commits
sion This commission should also as
sumo all the powers OF the Advisory
Board in the Matter of Paroles which
was created under the indeterminate
sentence law passed by the last Legis-
lature. To insure continuity Of service
the members of this commission should
be appointed for period OF hve years
the term Of one member expiring each
year.