Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-01-11
GOV. GATES REVIEWS
HIS ADMINISTRATION
f. IN FINAL VI ESSAGE
STATE PRISON.

STATE PRISON.
For some time there has been gradual
decrease of commit ncnts to orr state
prison and at the present time there is
the smallest number in many years. The
sanitary conditions Of the prison are the
best and the men are kept clean and
wholesome Under the contract system
every prisoner has steady employment
and is furnished with every opportunity
Ia devclop tho better side of himself and
encouraged to make the best of his life
there. He is instlled with the idea that
prison life can be made bright and whole
some and that he can prepare himself
while there to live a clean and upright
life after his release, Chapel services,
schools, entertainments in when the nri-
soners participate. ball games and other
outdoor games are provided, and life in
| prison generally is made worth while.
| with special effort the part of the
! superintendent to improve the morals or
! the man. on the whole the prison is
quite ideal and with the humanitarian
! treatment employed there is no reason
why many of these unfortunate men can
/ not become good citizens and get now
grasp on life as they 20 out from there.
! During my administration n prison farm
| of about two hundred acres has been
purchased and has proved success,
about $500 worth of produce having
! been raised this year at Il minimum eN-
pense. Six prisoners received special pa
role and have been employed on the farm
making it unnecessary to hire outside
/ hep of any kind. The buildings on the
/ farm have been repaired by help from
| the prison and the farm likewise has been
generally improved. Mr. Walker. the
superintendent, has had general supervi-
sion Of the farm and under his able man
aGement very creditable showing has
been made.
/ PAROLE SYSTEM.
The executive department has made
special effort to place the parole syS-
TEN on a sound basis, to follow up as
carefully as possible all breaches of the
conditions imposed, and to assist in every
possible way the persons under pas ole in
their endeavors to better themselves. The
probation officers. sherfts. and superin-
tendents of the prisons have aided ma
terially in the efforts that have been
made to keep these wards well in hand.
The department has endcavored to i'm
press upon every man and woman re-
leased the importance of keeping the
agreement made with the Governor The
results have been gratifying in n large
measure, and while this work has ite dis
couraginC features. it has, on the whole,
been satisfactory, and has led to n great
tr respect LOT law ana OrN'r, pS Inc rTlS-
oners themselves Warrants have been
issued for recommitmcnt on the slightest
breach of the conditions of the paroles,
and during the term more than 80 have
been returned to serve the balance of
their sentence. This has had very
healthy effect upon all phases of tho
work In and out of prison the word has
been passed that the Governors warrant
would certainly follow breach OF parole
and it has not only acted as warning
10 those inside, but has held the paroled
to strict compliance with the conditions
Of his parole. With the proper enforce
ment of The law. the system I believe is
beneficial and helpful. and should Ice eX-
tended and enlarged as conditions would
seem to merit, The employment of the
prisoners after release is very essential,
and some system of obtaining positions for
these men as they leave the prison would
be a great help.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
During my admnistra ion I have heen
very much interested in the industrial
, school. 1t is the most useful institution
Of its class we have and because OF its
wide rance Of usefulness the attendance
has been increased and many boys and
girls are sent there that ought to be in
. some institution for homeless Children
, Many are committed on the slightest prov
ocation either because they have no home
or because responsibility has been d,sre-
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