Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-02-26
REPORT OF INSPECTORS ..
OF PRISONS AND JAILS

The annual report Of Walliam ].
Bradbury OF Fairfield, James w. Me-
serve Of Buxton and John E. Fitzger-
aid of Bath, inspectors OF prisons and
jails which was filed with the Govern
or and Council Friday shows that there
are now 205 inmates at the Maine
States prison at Thon1aston. During
the past year 16 were discharged on
expiration Of their sentence; nine were
pardoned by the Governor and Council,
80 were paroled by the governor and
board of parole, one died and three
were transferred to the criminal in
sane department Of the Augusta State
hospital.
The inspectors say in their report:
"Warden Waterhouse has, we believe,
displayed rare business ability in the
management of the affairs Of the insti-
tuition, and had had excellent co-opera-
ton from the heads Of the several de-
partments. Toward the charges OF the
State he has been kind. but firm, Sc
curing the very best discipline and a
marked degree of respect from the con-
victs. We believe that Warden Water
house is doing great work in an effort
to impress on the minds Of the prison.
ers that there Is yet chance to come
back To be sure, statistics show that
any effort to reform 10 per cent Of
criminals is hopeless, but what OF the
other 80 per cent?
ITO sum up: Under the Waterhouse
rule of humanity first efficiency has
improved, health has improved. disci-
pline has improved.
Education.
I'VE wish at this time to give our
most cordial approval of the education
al work at the prison. few state
ments will illustrate the need OF that
work. Probably not over five per cent
of the number in the prison are fitted
| to enter high school. Less than 20
per cent could solve problem in COM
mon fractions. OF 25 men committed
last fall two could not speak English at
! all and another in broken manner. .
Five did not know their letters, two
! more knew most Of their letters but
could neither read nor write and anoth-
er could not write English. though he
| could speak it fairly we'll and could
read and write in his native language
| Utalian). The remaining II appear to
have very limited learning so far as
can be seen without test examination.
| In other words, nearly four per cent
are illiterate, and we believe that not
one among the 25 could earn living
4 by his education. This is a fair illus
tration of the condition of the more
than 200 men at the prison.
/ 1.-The school work for these men has
been increased several fold during the
past wear. A room Of suitable size has
been set apart for school work.
number of desks have been purchased
by the warden and more are soon to
be added to the number Regular ses-
sions Of school are held. Men are
brought in in squads sufficient to fill
the seats, and taught FOR an hour
then sent back to the shops and others
brought in to fill their places. Nearly
40 are now receiving lessons each week
Nearly every man begins with the
primer. The word method is used and
the alphabet taught later. Very soon
the men are given paper and pencil
and taught to write the letters of the
lalphabet. and then words. and later to
write letters to thei r families and
friends. Six are now learning to write
their letters themselves. Number work
is taken m as fast as the men are fit
ted for it. Later on geography and the
history of the United States Will De
taken up. Almost every man Is eager
to learn. The school work Is not com
pulsory.
IAN idea of the Importance OF such
work may be had from statement
made by Warden Bridges. for more
than 20 wears warden of the Massachu
setts states prison at Charlestown. A
regular course of study is arranged
there and men complete it, but accord
ling to Mr. Bridges. Of all those who
have completed that course only three
ever returned to the prison convicted
of crime. It is the desire of the chap
lain who is also the teacher, that such
a course be arranged for at Thomastor
as rapidly as men are ready to take it
and your board Of inspectors mos
earnestly recommend that one or more
of the prisoners, competent to teach
be assigned to assist the chaplain II
carrying forward this great worl
among these men, in order that, wher
they again go forth they may be bet
ter fitted mentally to become worth,
citizens.
| Repairs.
"In the matter Of repairs Warder
Waterhouse has succeeded in getting
the best results from the means a
hand. What he has accomplished suf'
fees to show his qualifications in thi!
direction.
HE has painted the stable, cow shed
engine house and trimmings Of th'
prison, also the interiors Of the tene
ments owned by the State: built new
platforms on the east side Of the pain
shop, and between the broom and OLE
trimming shop; shingled one house en-
tire and patched up number Of 9th
ers; new floor of wash stand of stable
also flooring in stalls, built new
greenhouse on the south side Of wal
12x15 feet; new yards to the hog pen
regarded the lawn. and painted tn
fence around the same; rebuilt tw'
chimneys, one a large one: installe'
; steam heat in the tailor's shop ant
renewed much Of the underground rul
Of water pipes: a new. hot water pip
Of several hundred gallons capacity; /,
new copper steam kettle in the kitchen
six new power winders in the broom
department, thereby increasing the out