Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-22

| during the year, and a much larger
number has been received.
! About 80 of the men receive a week
| ly paper. while a large amount Of
reading matter is donated to the
prison. The inspection of all this
mail is no small part of the chaplain's
work An abundance of good reading
is furnished each man. A library OF
over 300 volumes is much used by
the men, two volumes each week being
allowed, and two magazines each week
are given to each man who wishes 70
have them, the change being made
twice each week. This supply of
reading matter given to the men IS
most helpful in maintaining good dis
cipline, as a man who is occupied with
a good book or paper is not breaking
any rules.
Several of the men are unable TO
read or write their own letters. This
places twofold task on the chaplain,
the care of the mail of these men, and
the teaching of them to read and
write | regard this as most impor-
tant Many learn to read their let
tiers, and some are able to write good
letters after receiving the help we
give.
This work is hampered for lack of
good room and regular hours for school
work With a proper room much bet
ter results could be secured.
During the summer a religious move
ment was started among the men, and
Volunteer Prison League was organ
lied This League now numbers more
than so members, and ten applications
for membership are waiting accept
ance. Each applicant must sign
promise to keep the rules of the
League. which are as follows:-
/. To pray every morning and night.
3 To read the Day Book faithfully.
3. To refrain from the use of bad
language.
4. To be faithful in the observance
of prison rules and discipline SO
as to become an example of good
conduct
5. To earnestly seek to cheer and
encourage others in well doing
and right living, trying where it
is possible to make new members
for the League.
(The Day Book, see rule 2, is
selection of readings from the
Bible) This League here as else
where, is providing a help both
to prisoners and officers. The
men as whole are making COM
mendable effort to keep these
rules.
The Sunday afternoon concerts were
discontinued during the summer, the
men being given the afternoon in the
Yard, but will be resumed soon.
would like to repeat and emphasize
the commentator of my report of a
year ago with regard to the manage
ment of the men under this admins
tration. l have no knowledge of the
business affairs of the year other than
is possible to the casual observer, but
judge from what l have seen that the
showing will be excellent. But in my
opinion, far above this in value, is the
record of good discipline maintained
by constructive methods. l recall
period of two months during the past
summer during which no man was
punished for any offense committed
in that time, and this also when the
punishment consisted only in losing
the Yard for a time. / doubt if a rec
ord like this has been made elsewhere
in this country. Contrast this with the
Furnishing of men by confinement in
the dark dungeon, and discipline Sc
cured by that method alone, and your
Chaplain feels that the present method
can not be too strongly commended.
The only change desirable is to make
permanent the conditions that obtain
during the summer. If large room
in which the men could have exercise
and air Sunday afternoons was avail
able, and the extra guards could be
kept during the entire year the ques-
ton of discipline and health would be
met as well as is possible with this
plant. There have been but two deaths
in the prison since some time before
| began my work as Chaplain, rs
months or thereabouts, remarka BILE
record. No doubt the Yard Saturdays
and Sundays has been a means of
saving the life of some of the men here.
To be associated with Warden and
Inspectors in this work is a privilege
for which l am grateful. For the COM
ing year / again pledge my best serv-
ices in behalf of the men behind the
bars.
Respectfully Submitted,