Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-23
PRISON REPORT A
HUMANE DOCUMENT
INDUSTRY PROFITS
C0nvicts Have Earned Profits
Amounting to IS Per Cent of
Whole Expense


Randall of Bowdoinham and Matthew
c. Morrill, of Gray, which was recent
ly filed with the governor and council.
speaks as follows Of the States prison :
To His Excellency, Governor VIM. T.
Haines and the Executive Council.
Gentlemen:
We herewith submit to you the report
of the Board of Prison and Jail In
spectors Of the date of November 80,
1914.
There were confined in the Prison at
Thomaston:
Men, 1854
| Women, 5
Received during the year, 81
Discharged by expiration of sentence, 40
Pardoned by the Governor and Council, 4
Paroled by the Governor and Parole
Committee, IS
| Men confined in the prison Nov. 80.
| 1918, 17S
Women confined in the prison Nov.
l. 80, 1918. s
For particulars relating to the de-
partments we would refer you to the
tables and reports of the industries
and to those Of the Warden and other
members of the prison board.
Conditions affecting the prisoners.
and those relating to the prison plant,
remain practically the same as at the
time of our last report The health of
the prisoners appears to be good, re-
fecting the influence of good food. not
uncomfortable housing and rational
treatment During the summer the
Saturday and Sunday afternoon recre-
atoms in the yard have been appreciat-
ed and much enjoyed. We would make
1 g. NNt. H.. g. LIZ
| the discipline and order of the prison
| The rules are few and for the welfare
| of all concerned, and are intelligently
| and reasonably enforced.
The food is of good quality and of
| sufficient quantity and variety. The
prison is always clean and well aired
during the summer, and warmed and
well ventilated in the cold months. The
sanitary arrangements are not modern
| but the health of the prisoners is SEEM
ingly in no wise affected.
The industrial departments have
been operated steadily and to good ad-
vantage, affording continuous en-
ployment to the men and substantial
returns to the State.
The harness department shows an
| increase in the gain this year over that
on the years business of $S,19220.
There was, however owing to the
parole, less men employed and a cor
| responding reduction in the product,
2242 harnesses. having been made in
1913 and only 1928 in 1914, or IL per
cent less. but with an increase of profit.
The inventory shows an unusually
large stock Of leather. which was pur-
chased at the low price of the year, but
taken in the inventory at the price
paid. gain to the coming years bus
mess
The carriage department has also
been successful, although losing many
of its expert workmen by the parole
AT the beginning Of Warden Hams ad-
ministration this department was en-
numbered with stock of carriages and
sleighs and practically no market for
them. At the time of this inventory
there is no stock of mention, and a
quick market for far more carriages
and sleighs than can be manufactured
The repair work is of large proportions
and very profitable.
The broom department, while show
ing comparatively small profit is in a
most satisfactory condition. A product
TO the value of nealy $4,000 has been
manufactured, and of a high grade of
workmanship. This has been disposed
OF at ruling market prices. Orders are
received for more goods than can be
manufactured. The improvement here
during the last two years has been
very marked. Prior to that time it was
badly handicapped by old machines,
and the inventory at the beginning of
this administration showed large
amount Of poorly made brooms, a
quantity of undesirable stock, and a
correspondingly poor reputation in
the market. That accumulation was
disposed of at what 1t would bring, and
new machines were installed which
made perfect goods. It's product is now
favorite in the market, and the finan-
cial ability to buy the stock at the
proper time in the season would make
this one of the most profitable depart
ments in the prison.
We can safely affirm that there is no
prison in the country in which the in
dustrial departments contribute SO
largely towards the maintenance Of |
those confined as that at Thomaston |
Many OF the states are ha1npered by |
labor laws, regulating the amount of |
work to such small proportions that no
material ale esults to them. With fav- |
orable laws only a few prisons earn |
more than from ten to twenty per cent |
OF the cost of maintaining their prison |
ers. Maine is an exception to the rule, |
its prisoners having earned an average |
of over IS per cent Of the entire cost |
Of running the prison for the last eight |
years. We may mention here that the |
State should not, thoughtlessly, be too |
selfish In this matter; there are sew
eral points Of view concerning these |
earnings. 1t might be more to the in
terests OF the State il much larger
amount than the stipend now allowed
were to go towards putting the paroled
or expired sentenced man on his feet"
when he gets into the world again. AS
1t is now. on leaving the prison he is, |
In almost every instance. penniless, I
and his situation soon becomes serious.
A percentage Of his earnings, large
enough to be Of service placed to his
credit during his sentence, could be of |
the greatest assistance to him and we'll /