The Republican journal., 1918-10-31
The Maine State Prison.

The State Board of Charities and Cor
rections has reported to the Governor and
Council the result of the last inspection
of the States prison at Thomaston. 1t
says in part:
General conditions, so far as they are
under the control of the commissioners,
such as clea nliness, order, discipline, ETC.,
do not call for any criticism. On the
contrary, there is much to commend. AS
regards the prison structure itself, condi-
tions are decidedly unsatisfactory, and
they must continue to be SO until the
Legislature authorizes the erection of an
entire new prison, or remodels the present
one out of all semblance to its former
state, its location and outer walls possibly
excepted.
The new wing was authorized by tie
Legislature of 1917, a makeshift compro-
mise measure to head off the movement
for new prison in new location. 1t is
to be regretted that the walls of the cells
were not made of steel instead of con-
crete. This would have saved space and
the cells would not have been as damp in
summer time. Each cell is fitted with a
good flush closet and wash basin. Cells
are of fair size, contain one bed, chair
and small table. Beds are of the old iron
Stat type slung by chains from the wall.
They are too short for man above me-
dunn height. The new cells are 66 in
number. The men moved into them
have been taken from the oldest and
smallest cells.
The straw ticks are large and well fill
ed Blankets are clean.
The prison has no dining rooms. The
northwest corner of the new wing is much
wider than necessary. 1t is said that
this was intended to be used for the pres
ent as dining room. 1t is not suitable
for the purpose. 1t is too far from the
kitchen and prisoners walking along the
platform above must raise more or less
dust to fall on the food and dishes. The
men eat in their cells
Sanitation in the new cells is good, in
all the old cells blankets must still be
used and the ventilation of the cells is
poor.
A farm has been leased in.the town of
" arren, IL miles from the prison with
a purchase option, so that if the next
Legislature decides to continue and reno
vate the present institution, farm colony
can be operated in connection with it.
The farm contains 200 acres. One thou
sand would not be too many.
On the day of this visit there were at
the prison 203 men and women. Twen-
ty-tive of the men were employed on
piece of State road in Camden some Is
miles from the prison, under agreement
between the Prison Commission and the
State Highway Commission. This camp
was visited, the men observed at work
and the engineer in charge of the work
and the guard in charge of the prisoners
interviewed Thus far, from the stand
point of the men and the Highway de-
pa1tment, the plan is a success. The
warden still regards it as experimental.
For that matter it is yet too soon for the
Highway Department to express its opin-
ion in dollars and cents.
The present agreement does not call
for any pay to the men. The chance to
work in the open air, with consequent
appetite for hearty breakfast and din
ner is proving sufficient inducement so
that the men are glad to do a good days
work. A rainy day which keeps the
men at the prison is regarded as hard
ship.
If the prison stays here, it must have
at the earliest possible moment, new
blacksmith shop, new dining and as
sembly room, new kitchen, a new COM
missary store room, new school room,
new bath room and new infirmary.
All of these can be placed under one roof.
All of the interior of the old cell houses
must. be torn out and the small, dark
stone cells replaced by light steel cells
supplied with proper toilet facilities.
Medical and psychological examina-
ton of all prisoners as soon as committed.
Provision for and enforced use of sleep
ing garments at night other than those
worn in the day time. Replace iron Stat
cots in new cells with movable cot bed
of full length and with good spring