The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-24

This writer recently visited Weth.. ersfield states prison on an inspec- ton tour with the penal institutions committee of the General Assembly and as guest of Waterbury's Sena. tor Patrick Wallace (D) chairman of the committee. High-light of tho day was the hour -and -one-half in- formal, yet thorough, discussion of penal methods of discipline, correc.. tion, etc. conducted with Warden Ralph Walker. No holds were barred in the frank discussion of methods now prevailing there, or those which the committee thought should be prevailing, and the conclusion drawn was that the superintendent was 8 man with the individuals interest a. heart and one possessing a great measure of common sense in con- ducting his duties. However, all tha', is matter for another column an. other day.
 The Reviewer thought perhaps you would care to know little something about your states prison. A few facts and perhaps bit of color.
 There are now about 725 inmates at Wethersfield of whom 85 are serv- ing life-termS. Two of these Gone a recently convicted Waterbury manl are waiting execution for first de- gree murder. About 20 have been adjudged insane but are retained there because of inadequate quarters elsewhere in the state. (That is a story in itselD. The prisoners are divided into grades; the first be- ing the highest and most favorable of rank. Of the total population there, about 700 are in the first grade, about 20 in second grade and the remainder in third.
 Daily Routine
 Conforming to the daily routine, these men breakfast around 2 a. m. after which they go to their duties of the day, which might mean work ing in the shirt departments where a quarter of a million shirts have al- ready been produced for the Navy; or to the forge shop, carpentry shop where all wooden traffic directional signs are made for use throughout the state; or they m: y work ln such departments as the tailoring or dry cleaning, or laundry, or kitchens or outside repair work.
 Lunch is served at 1l:30 a. m after which the men return to then respective duties until 4:30 p. m when they have an hours recreatiolI period on the outside. Confinement to cells at night is the general rule with lights out at 10 p. m. unless there is a special radio broadcast of a championship fight in which event they may listen until Il p. m Or perhaps a travelling show visits for an evenings performance Movies are shown every Saturday afternoon.
 The men do not work on Sunday Mass and chapel services are offered although attendance is not manda- tory. On Sunday afternoon there Is usually show. Athletics at Che pri- son have been somewhat curtailed because of travel restrictions which prevent many visiting teams mak- ing trips to the prison. However, they are playing basketball there this year.
 We were entertained too by the prisons 20-piece band comprised en- tirely of inmates as well as by small male chorus made up of tn- mates the latter giving exceptionally fine renditions of The Lords Prayer The Winter Song and others. The band too did an excellent job and we were informed that only four of its members had ever played note before going to the prison. Assigned to the prison staff are a "full-time" priest and minister, doctor and den- tist and recreational director. The prison Is equipped with full den- tai and medical facilities for hos pitalization and operations.
 ParOleeS
 There are about 225 former in- mates now on parole in the state. In the last ten year period about 17 per cent of parolees have been re- turned for technical violation of parole regulations. However, this latter percentage is considered bet ter than average for most penal in- stitutions (Cheshire Reformartory is said to have 50 per cent return of parolees). Of those confined now to the prison about 50 per cent are sex-offenderS. The ratio of other violations is spread out among the remainder confined.
 About 20 former inmates are now in t!e armed serv'"es al with steady records of department. These men are all parolees who upon completion of service with the armed forces (providing their parole period has not expired while with the armed forces) must return before the prison board for further con- sideration as to pardon. If their armed forces records are clean they undoubtedly will be given full par don in consideration 'or their ger- vices to their country.
 Electric Chair
 YeS-we saw the electric chair and the death cell. and if you like your reading on the morbid side we will describe the details a bit further The chair Is set i'll the middle of cream enameled painted room about 25xl8 feet in dimension. It is a large, stiff, heavy oak chair with straps attached to the arms and front legs. It is bolted to the floor and surrounded by rubber floor plumb in the middle of the room is mat. Its very position, being set aWesome in itself, on first view Pacing 1t are two rows of white en- ameled benches for witnesses. The eath-dealing switches are set in an enclosed cabinet built in the wall A powerful single light glareS down on all proceedings, casting morbid shadows.
 Just outside the execution room, SUIT STARTS OVER