Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-13
ANNUAL REPORT oF
 STATE PRISON BOARD
Cell Block Addition Makes Acceptance
 of Convicted immediate.

and moral welfare of the inmates of Connecticut state prison at Wethers- field is related in the biennial report of the board of directors just made to the governor.
 The number of inmates shows a slight average increase over the two previous years, September. 1912. to September, 1914, from e33 to s3S.
 The appropriation made by the last general assembly enabled the board to construct 72 new cells and thus com plete the block in the east wing of the prison. All the work was done by the inmates. There is now room to re- ceive all inmates as soon as they are sentenced, relieving the crowded con- ditions of the jails. The purchase of additional land is recommended to give room for outdoor exercises and out door employment for the tubercular inmates.
 The benefits of the night school are fayorably mentioned.
 The board places emphasis on the fact that the proportion of deaths to the inmates at the prison was much smaller than in the state at large. In the last two years there were only seven deaths.
 Little change in the revenues of the prison is reported. The directors add that if the high cost of living contin-
 
 will not be enough to run the prison.
 The policy of true and firm discipline for which the directors stand is prov ing its value, says the report. Punish ments are reduced to minimum and the duration of the punishment rests with the inmate himself. When he agrees to abide by the rules punish- ment ceases. The advantage of modi- flying the silent system and allowing conversation at meals has raised the standard of the institution.
 In the past two years more men had been released on parole than in two previous years. Eighty-five per cent. of those paroled have made good and have gained confidence to take their place in the world again.
 The increase of life prisoners to one seventh of the population is mentioned and the directors reaffirm their belief that parole should be extended to life prisoners who have served 25 years
 Regret is expressed at the nasty criticisms of the prison management in employing prisoners in useful labor under the contract system. The board says the system was used to enhance the moral, mental and physical well fare of the inmates, and to have them contribute something towards the ex- pense to the state.
 Tt is easy to make suggestions for continues the report, but many uneuspected clements enter into a sound conclusion. Connecticut should study her own needs and not suffer the arrangements of prisons in other states to influence her action"
 There should be better understand ing Of the indeterminate law, argues the board, between the prosecuting and sentencing powers and the board of parole The board of parole should know just what a minimum sentence means.
 Praise for Warden Ward A. Garner is expressed and the board says he is the right man for the place; firm and strict, yet kindly and willing to help all who need consideration.
 The report is signed by the entire board: Norris c. Osborn of New Ha- ven, president; Willie O. Burr of Hart ford, vice president; Frederick M. Sal mon of Westport, secretary; James w. Cheney of Manchester, Frank c. Sum- Sufheld and Robert W. Post of West port.
 The population at the close of Sept. 30, 1916, was $40. At the close of the year in 1915 it was 624, says Warden Ward A. Garner in his report. The highest number of inmates in confine- ment during the biennial period was 670 and the lowest 592, making an av- craze daily population of 636, of whom 16 were women and 88 were life in- mates. The earnings from the prison labor for the two years ended Sept. 30, 1916, was $153, ,350.50. Receipts from all other sources for the two years amounted to $15,957.06, making the total receipts from all sources for the two years $169, 9,307.56.
 "The inmates are now working un- der what is called 'piece-price' system" the warden adds. By this system we the next two years. The inmates will also have an opportunity to earn something for themselves through a bonus system inaugurated. The in- mates at the close of the year were earning for themselves S10,000 a year. man per day for the past two years was contrasted as follows: 1915, s0.1201; 1916, so.133s. The gross cost of each man per day was: 1915. s0.-. each man per year: 1915, s1ss.65; 1916. s201.70.
 ''The general sanitary condition of the prison has been excellent through out the period covered by this report. There have been no epidemics of any sort. Discipline for the past two years has been good. Serious violations have been rare. Kindness is met with ready response on the part of the inmate. Punishments are the exception rather than the rule. The will show that punishments have fallen off 50 per cent. during the past four years, and the monthly av- craze for the third grade has been less ludn LWO Qur1HB the past HScal year. The percentage of those who use the books for reading or study during the week is decidedly greater than in the past. There have been over 400 vol umes added to the library during the past year. A number of these vol- umes are in Italian, French, Polish, German, Lithuanian and Spanish:''
 The warden expresses appreciation of the work of many persons and or sanizations who have entertainments and praise is given the Connecticut Prison association for It's work.
 Like the board of directors, the war len believes life prisoners who have served 25 years and have a good rec ord should be paroled.
 The record of the parole system, be- gun in 1903, is summarized in the fol- owing: Authorized for parole 334, to- ,al number revoked l, awaiting em- oloyment o, released on parole 333 re- turned for violation 2S, delinquent and It large 21, discharged while On parole B, sentences expired while on parole l59, died while on parole 2, number -eporting monthly Ga, per cent of yio- atiOns t0 date 1A.71