Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-02-09
Report of Prison
And Jail Inspectors.

OF the jailS of the State in a COM
paratively recent time, more especially
in the larger ones, the greater popu-
lation of these apparently permitting
of more method and better discipline"
states the members of the board of
prison and Jail inspectors, Hon. Frank
II. HargraVes of West Buxton, Hon.
Matthew c. Morrill, of Gray and Hon.
Charles b. Randall of Bowdoinham,
in their annual report which was filed
with the Governor and Council Satur-
day. The report says:
order and discipline prevail in the
larger number of the smaller jails,
but in many the indiscriminate but
seemingly unavoidable housing of the
prisoners defeat the intention of SEN
fences. We believe in the cooperation
of the courts to the effect that on
conviction to county jails the person
be committed to the one best suited
to carry out the sentence imposed
1--WE most heartily endorse the po-
sition taken by Cumberland county
in providing a farm for inebriates.
For years prior to 1913 county jails
have been congested with that class
Of commitments. This farm plan is
most important and progressive
step, and we earnestly urge it's adop-
tion in other counties.
Prior to 1913 there were long pc
RODS in some of the counties when
the jails were absolutely Inadequate
to meet the requirements of their
commitments and the crowding was
intolerable, large numbers of cells be-
ing used each for the sleeping quar-
tiers of from four to six prisoners.
The situation was aggravated by crude
sanitary conditions and from no iso-
lation for those who were ill; and the
crowded and poorly ventilated cells
oftentimes had sick inmate to add
danger and discomfort to his compan-
ions. This last is in part from an
earlier report and with particular ref
erence to the Androscoggin county
Jail, which has had at times from
100 to 140 prisoners in its cells and
corridors. This Jail has had an aver
age of los for the past six years and
11s for 1912, but the report for the
past year shows only % prisoners.
This is a surprising statement and is
especially due to the small number
of commitments for drunkenness.
1T is of interest to know that in
this county for 1918 the total commit
ments We're 1918, and of this number
1857 were for drunkenness, an average
Of IS per month. 1t is a significant fact
that at the time of this writing, the
commitments for drunkenness have
averaged 1919 per cent. for the past
eight months, and this is county
whose percentage of drunkenness has
exceeded that of any other county
in the State This Sc per cent reduc-
ton would mean for the year 900 less
of male commitments for drunkenness,
and an addition of large number to
the ranks of the sober, working man
of the country, a fact of great eco
nomic value and of particular worth
in the prevention of crime and suf-
fering. A Statewide enforcement of
the laws in this able manner would
be of incalculable value and reduce the
population of the jails and prisons to
an astonishing extent.
while Audroscoggin county had led
to the reduction of its Jail popula-
ton and that in conjunction with an
efficient and satisfactory maintenance
of order and protection of persons and
property, it is not alone in this moral
and economic saving. The movement
is apparent throughout the State. With
but few exceptions the counties have
shown decided reductions in jail COM
mitments. Among the larger Jails, that
of Kennebec shows a reduction or bo
per cent. in its report for the past
year in comparison with the preced-
ing wear. There We're in this county
jai 450 less male commitments In 1918
than in 1912. AS the convictions ran
these men would be represented by
600 sentences for a year or so for one
month. The maintenance of 80 men
in Kennebec Jail would cost the coun-
ty for one year, $4,000. In the absence
of the offending cause of arrest these
men would become wage-earners for
themselves and others. A daily wage
of less than So would amount Tor a
year to $4,000. This earning result
and the saving Of maintenance by the
county would show credit balance OF
$50, 900.
There can be no record OF all the
good accomplished by the sheriff VINO
fulfills the intent of law enforcement.
He protects the welfare and happi-
ness of homes through the length anu
breadth of his county from a waste or
time and money which never comes
to the notice of the law. In county
of over $4,000 inhabitants the earning
result and maintenance cost or %
men. though it be $4,000 is but triftlng
in a measurement of the good result
ing.
"Washington county shows consplc-
uouslv good results from vigorous ana
successful sheriff work, as evident IN
the returns from that county, record
ing as they do, 70 per cent. reduc-
ton in it's last report of jail popu-
lation. and an SIS per cent reduction
in it's commitments for drunkenness.
1.-THE record of the police department
of Portland-which is the storm CEN
ter of Cumberland county so lar as
law enforcement and jail population Is
concerned-show that since lsoo there
was an increase in the total arrests
from 2o9O in 1901 to 6C45 in 1917. me
records also show that in 1913 only
5447 arrests were made, and 20 per
cant of the arrests as proven by the