Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-06
Recommends Certain
Changes Reformatory
Women, SkOwhegan

THE general administrative con-
ditiOn in the reformatory Is salts
factory; the homelike atmosphere,
the cleanliness, the comfort Of the
inmates. the efficient medical super
vision and the we'll balanced diet are
worthy of special commentator"
declares Secretary CRUDE B. Cornish
of the State board of charities and
corrections in a report just issued,
Of an inspection of the State re-
formatory for women at Skowhegan.
Secretary Cornishs report is as
follows:
Board of Trustees: Mr.. Ben
jamin Beatty, Waterville: Mrs.
Sadie H. Bates, Stockton Springs;
Mrs. Gertrude S. Leavitt. Portland:
Rev. John E. Kealy. Lewiston: and
Mr.. Lamont III. Appleby. Skowhe-
gan: superintendent. Mrs. Mary
Libby; Parole Officer. Mrs. Henriet-
ia Bowman. Capacity. IS; present
on day of inspection. 90: number on
parole, So; per capita cost per week,
1913.
"By the use of porches to increase
bed capacity. several more inmates
may be accommodated than the
buildings We're designed to accom-
modate. This is not serious
handicap.
CONSTRUCTION of cells in the base
ment of themain building Is well
advanced. These cells will enable
the staff to successfully restrain
ineorrigibles according to a plan
which Is now being worked out.
policy of transferring the incor-
rigibles to the state Prison at
Thomaston. We believe that the Of
ficers of the Institution should have
the necessary equipment at their
command to properly care for any
woman whom the courts deem SUBJ
ject to their correctional supervision.
"After a period of training in the
institution many of the inmates
may with reasonable safety, be re-
turned to the community from which
they came, or be placed under
supervision at employment in select
ed homes. The average weekly
wage of the inmates on parole is IS.
Some of these girls become self sup
porting and under the supervision. of
conscientious parole officer are
able to take their place in society
with a considerable degree of sue
cess. Results already attained fully
justify the wisdom of the parole
system.
1.-The fact that there are at the
present time but three inmates who
are serving their second sentence at
the Reformatory is worthy of
thoughtful consideration.
Industrial training is the best
known social tonic for any insti-
matory. The marker value of work
done for other institutions by the
Reformatory was S217.0O this last
year. The value of industrial train
ing cannot be measured by the mar
ket price of the product. for its re-
suits are spiritual in their nature,
doing Cor the individual what iron
bars and the lockstep never have
been able to ace6mplish.
Recommendations
1.-The following recommendation
are submitted for the consideration
of the Trustees:
l. There should be a re-arrange-
ment of housing conditions so as to
provide quarters for all employees
at the Milliken House. Employees
should not be asked to spend all
their time with the inmates.
.. THE employment of three eX-
ira matrons for night duty is
strongly urged.
g. Outdoor recreation should be
part of the everyday program. This
phase of the work has been very
much neglected.
4. "A well equipped nursery
should be provided in preference to
any other proposed improvement.
The several little babies there have
committed no sin against society.
Because they are there society owes
much to them. We have a right to
expect that more satisfactory ar
rangements may be made for the
| care of the babies.
g. 1.-THE immediate transfer of
babies over two years of age into the
custody of a suitable person or into
! the custody of the State Board of
Charities and Corrections. The
law provides that child may re-
main with his mother until he is
two years of age, if she is confined
| to the institution. The law should
be obeyed.
s "The transfer of the defective
delinquent as soon as there is room
for her at the Pownal State
School,"