New Britain herald., 1930-12-30

that the present prison is apparently doing good work and define the four
 different types of criminal who have
 to be dealt with.
 Experience seems to show that
 the insane criminal. or one who has
 developed what is known as prison
 psychosis, may more readily be re
 stored to normal mental Condi-
 tion if he is removed from the
 prison environment. It must not be
 forgotten that already in our public
 insane hospitals, there are inmates
 more violent and dangerous than any of those now confined at
 Wetherstield. In addition to this, there are d substantial number who
 have committed criminal offeuses and have been sent directly to d public insane hospital following an acquittal upon the ground Of in- sanity or as d result Of some form of commitment prior to trial.
 ''In our judgment, there can be no reasonable objection to transfer ring the insane inmates to one of our public institutions for the in- sane. Responsible authorities are m complete accord on this subject ] The prison directors and the warden 1 recommend it. We are informed, ! through the testimony Of Commis- sioner Hall, that provisions are now being made al the Norwich Insane Hospital for the erection Of new building for male attendants, there : by releasing the present building { now occupied by them. When this work is completed. and appropria- tions have already been recom- mended therefor. the way will te opened for this highly important ] change.
 i "A modified form Of contract la l bor IS the chief occupation Of the prisoners. The objections to this l form of labor are well known. There ] is a growing sentiment that any contract labor system should, wherever possible, be abandoned ! for g system Of work based more | largely upon diversified activities and vocational training.
 "Counecticut must he prepared 10 make q heavy investment in ap- proved shopbuilding and equipment for carrying out a program Of prls- 1 on labor based primarily upon the so-called Srate-use principle. lt is imperative that work be provided for the prisoners, first, in order that through their efforts they may reduce the cost Of their keep. and second, because an idle mind is the l devils workshop and only throasn l steady work may men be saved . from present disintegration and fu . ture inefficiency. The best type Of prison labor will not only keep men l busy, but it will give them 8 certain skill in trade which they 1 can practice on the outside.
 'There is at the present tune no i prison farm or any permanent or . portunity for outdoor employment. 1 This requirement IS suggaste, not ] merely to make life more attractive l ID pFlSOlltTN UT ip SlAt lil-'-l ll4Ci z normal surroundings, but to -rain them in daily routine If steady | and profitable labor which, al the same time, will afford the possi- bilty Of reducing and. perhaps al- m ost entirely eliminating the food bill at the prison.
 We recommend that q farm be purchased consisting of about 1000 i acres located upon carefully selected site, having ample water, healthful location. tillable land, good drainage, reasonable acCessi- bility and railroad connections. Necessary farm buildings should be erected. livestock should be pur- chased and all necessary farm equipment supplied. In addition 10 this, there should be a building suitable for the housing of such prisoners as may be assigned 10 this
 Continued on Page FiNel