Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-02

To His Excellency William T. Haines.
Governor of Maine:
The Advisory Board in the Matter of
Paroles, created by chapter 90 Of the
Public Laws of 1913, respectfully submits
it's second annual report, which includes
all transactions of the board from Dec.
l. 1913, to Nov. 80, 1914, inclusive.
Applications for parole were received
during the year from Es inmates of the
State prison. Nine Of these applications,
in which exclusive jurisdiction under the
terms of the law had been conferred up
on the Governor, were referred to him
and parole was granted in each case.
OF the so applications remaining, and
which were considered by the Advisory
Board, 26 were allowed, 10 refused, two
were granted to take effect at later
date and six are held without decision,
pending further investigation.
In granting paroles the board has TAX
en- into account the prison conduct of the
applicant, his previous record and his
habits and methods of life before con-
viction; his domestic relations. his pros
poets of employment and his ability and
apparent desire to lead a correct life and
maintain himself by honest labor. The
refusal of the board to grant paroles has
been due either to the character of the
crime committed, the misconduct of the
applicant while in prison. his previous
criminal record. the lack of suitable en-
| ployment for him if released or his in
ability to bring himself otherwise within
the terms of the law.
Since the Indeterminate Sentence Law
/
have been released on parole. OF this
number nine have violated the conditions
of their paroles. two of whom have been
returned to prison to serve out the I'M
expired terms of their sentences, one has
failed to furnish his anonthly report for
October and the other six have disap-
peared. Twenty-seven final discharges
| have been issued to prisoners who have
completed the full period of parole with
a good record. Two paroled prisoners
have died, one by suicide. All Of the
other prisoners to whom paroles have
been granted, according to the informa-
ton and belief of the Advisory Board,
are living useful and industrious lives
and fully appreciate the clemency and
opportunity extended to them The per-
centage of parole violations has been
much smaller in Maine thus far than the
average Of other states in which similar
laws are in operation,
The statute provides, No prisoner
shall be released on parole until the Gov
ernor or Advisory Board in the matter of
paroles shall have satisfactory evidence
| that arrangements have been made for
such honorable and useful employment
. h.; III.
| forming" This provision of the law has
| caused the Governor and the Advisory
Board considerable embarrassment owing
to the extreme reluctance Of the people
| Of the State to employ anyone who is
known to have served q term in peni-
tertiary. Some of the violations of pa
roles have been directly due. In the
opinion of the board, to the inability of
those to whom paroles have been given
to secure or retain steady and profitable
employment.
The following tables show in detail the
paroles granted, the violations reported
and a summary of the earnings and ex-
penditures of paroled convicts for each
month since the law became effective.
Amount earned and expended by pa
rolled prisoners as shown by their month
ly reports, from September, 1913, to
October, 1914, inclusive:
Earnings. $l1.77O.ss: expenditures sS.-
1923 &c.
Report dated Nov 80, 1914
Signed: EDWARD w. WHEELER,
FRED G. KINSMAN,
JAMES s. WRIGHT,
Advisory Board in the Matter of Paroles