Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-20

apart. Straw mattresses are used,
emptied' and washed whenever q prjs-
oner goes out. Blankets were fairly
clean. but are probably not washed
as frequently as they should be since
they are used without sheets or
spreads. Blankets Of long-term pris-
oncrs are washed once in two months.
For the shorter term men. blankets
are washed whenever the prisoner is
discharged.
Stop pals must be used in the cells
at night. but the general toilet room
IS equipped with Eve excellent. clean
white enamelled flush closets. There
are two shower baths. There are three
set tubs for washing clothing and two
specially built cast iron boilers. under
which lie built wood fire for boiling
and scalding clothing. In the womcn's
part there is a toilet hopper and
bath Tub. In the mems part, a cast
iron sink is used as a lavatory. Bath
Ing and change Of Undertaking is re-
CURED each Saturday evening. Most
Of the men sleep at night in the un-
derclothing worn during the daytime.
The following was given to the in
speeding officer as a fair sample OF
the usual weekly bill Of fare: Mon
day for breakfast, bread. molasses and
ties for dinner and supper Monday and
for all three meals on Tuesday, veg
etahle soup. made of potatoes. turnips,
cabbage. onions. ETC.; Wednesday,
morning for breakfast, bread, molas-
ses and tea: for dinner and supper on
Wednesday and for all three meals on
Thursday, pea soup; Friday morning
for breakfast, bread. molasses ind tea
Frid'y. for dinner and for all three
Ire ais en- Saturday, fish chowder; Sun
day morning. bread. molasses and Tea;
Sunday afternoon. baked beans Bread
is served at all meals, tea at all meals
except dinners. Meat is purchased for.
use in the vegetable soup about onces
in two weeks. Meals are served at
tables in the corridor.
1t is a pleasure to report that as the
old prison uniforms Of black and whit:
horizontal stripes are being worn out.
no more are being purchased. Men
are wearing ordinary clothing. 1t is
suggested that II 1t becomes necos-
sary to purchase something for wear
in order to save the prisoners clothes
against the time of his release, a uni
form of solid color, perhaps even a
drilling overall and jumper. will suf-
flee.
There is no work whatever for the
prisoners other than caring for the
jail and the court house grounds. Pris-
al no of n
corridors from to in the morning.
IL to l at noon. and o'clock to 6 In
the afternoon. Breakfast is at Z. din
ner at noon and supper at 5. Lights
are out at 8 o'clock in the evening.
A physician is employed on II onthly
salary to look after the prisoners and
also to make as soon as possible after
commitment, the complete physical az
animation requ' red by the regulations
Of the State department of health. and
, tho prescribed record of this ,eAami:ia-
. ton is kept at the jail Office.
The whole number Of prisoners in
| custody during the year endig De-
cember 81, 1920, was 81, and the daily
( average was Is. The total expendi-
| ture was sS414.e7. Offset by s415 re-
ceived as rent of the Jail workshop
and SIS for hoard of prisoners, making
the net expenditure $79S4.67. The
weekly cost per prisoner was as fol-
lows: Salaries. s3.11; food supplies,
. So; clothing, SO.16; repairs and equip
ment. s1.O5; other expenses, $S.0S; to-
tai s10.40.
| Recommendations and suggestions-
7 Replace present cot beds with cots
| provided with suitable springs. More
frequent washing of blankets or. better
| still. use cotton sheets and drill or
| other hard finish spread on each bed.
| These can doubtless be more frequent
| ~ washed at less expense than the
| blankets.
| The discipline in this and two or
| three other Of our county jail, SO far
! as freedom Of the corridors is con-
| cerned seems to be unnecessarily re-
| strictive. The health Of the men Nill
! be better if. so long as they do not
abuse the privilege. they are allowed
! the freedom of the corridors through
| on. tho day.
| Some plan needs to be evolved
| whereby all ablc-bodied prisoners will
be given plenty of work and exercise,
| as much Of it as possible in the open
| air.