Putnam patriot., 1915-02-12
DIRECTORS MAKE
 PRISON REPORT
Inmates Increasing and Lookup
 Needs More Room
EVERY CELL IS OCCUPIED
To Relieve Crowded Condition an Ad- dition to East Block of Seventy two Cells Is Recommended
 Built Wall to Insane Ward.

Especial Hartford Correspondence.)
 Hartford.-The report of the direc- tors of the Connecticut State Prison for the two fiscal years ended Sep tember 30. 1914, has been submitted to the governor. The report says iii part: For the past two years every cell has been occupied all the time, and there has been an average wait ing list in the jails of from twenty to fifty. The daily average population was 693.27. When the reformatory at Cheshire was opened we expected this situation to be relieved. We were mistaken, as the above figures show an crease instead of a diminished popu- lation. To relieve this crowded condi- tion we recommend an addition to the east cell block of seventy-two cells, at 8 cost of about S30,000. We recom- mend that the prison wall be extend ed, so that the insane ward and hos pital will be within the walls and to leave sufficient space to give the in- mates regular exercise and recreation. In order to do this we make recon mendation fer an appropriation to ac- quire additional property, and a sufli- cient sum to complete the wall.
 The past year stands without parallel in the discipline of the prison. The punishments have been reduced to one-half, as compared to previous years. The number in the third grade has been reduced to a minimum; at some periods there is not a man in this grade and the maximum is under five. The average is under three It is interesting to note that the modif- cation of the silence system has pro duced encouraging results. Since the men have been permitted to converse at the noon-day meal, the standard of conduct in the shops, the class rooms and the prison generally has been noticeably raised. In this con nection it is significant that the off cials of the prison now go unarmed, the term of convict is no longer in use, and various other changes have been introduced to stimulate the self respect of the inmates
 The revenue from prison labor for the past two years, ended September 30, 1914, has footed up s154, 116.15. This is the best showing in the history of the institution. The amount drawn from the comptroller to cover deficien- cy in prison earnings the past fiscal year was $29,74027. Under the pres ent management the prison is three quarters self-supporting in spite of the sharp advance in price of all supplies | fi,-x,, their belief that parole should be ex- tended to the life prisoners. If life prisoner has been behind prison bars for a uarter of century may it not be long enough to satisfy the reason able demands of justice, and to ex haust the deterrent effects of punish ment? And if he is safe to be at large, he can be put to better use in the world than to be kept within pris- on walls until life passes away. The parole system is extended to all pris- oners (except life prisoners) whose conduct in the prison. and before entering, entitled them to a parole. Each prisoner paroled is provided with employment, board and reason able pay. large percentage of all paroled keep their agreement with the state and their employers. The parole board has within the last year paroled more prisoners than in any previous year. It is the object of the board to give each inmate a chance to redeem himself and become a good citizen, provided. after a careful in vestigation of the facts, the case proves a deserving one.
 There has been much hasty criti, cism of the prison management for employing prisoners in useful labor under the contract system The an. swer is that the board of directors have no pride of opinion in the prem ises. The well-being of the inmates morally mentally and physically, is the first concern; the second is due consideration for the sound axiom that the state has a right to demand that the prisoner shall contribute, as far as possible. from additional taxa. ton to support those who have violat. cd the law. The prevailing system of employing inmates of the prison has worked to the advantage of the prisoner and the state The board of directors feel justified in urging that before insisting upon any substi ute, full consideration bs given the physical, mental and moral res ponsi. bilities involved It is easy to make suggestions for employment but many unsuspected elements enter into a sound conclusion.