The Sidney herald., 1961-01-04

tri5utions from relatives of pa
tents. In the past this income has
been supplemental to the legisla-
tive appropriation. To strengthen
the control of the legislature over
the fiscal policies of this institu-
zion l recommend that such con-
tributions revert to the general
fund for inclusion in the legisla-
tive appropriation back to the in
stitution.
The budget for the girls voca-
tional school for administration
was left the same but provision
was made for one additional
teacher and employee salaries
were raised. The amount of funds
for care, custody and education
was increased. Allotments for Ger
tain needed repairs and for the
purchase of equipment were in
creased.
A staff of one hundred forty
three formerly operated the state
prison. This has been increased
10 n hundred eighty-four. The
budget provides for a staff Of one
hundred sixty-nine. The admins
tration costs at the institution
were top heavy as compared to
other prison operations and were
reduced. The budget provides for
a reduction in costs of education
and training, principally through
reduction in staff. State subsidi-
zation of the ranch operation was
reduced and funds for equipment
purchases were eliminated. The
allotment for food, care and Gus
tcdy was increased. Under the
budget program the cost per in
mate is comparable with costs in
neighboring states. l believe ia
yorable consideration of habitual
criminal legislation could reduce
crime in Montana and thereby
result in a reduction of our prison
population.
The budget for the children's
center at Twin Bridges reduces
funds for the purchase of equip
ment. The allotment for food, care
custody and education was in
creased. The number of person
mel on the staff was reduced anc
salary increases provided fol
those retained. You and the peo-
pie of Montana should know that
while we have thought of thi:
institution as an orphanage, a
the present time only three o.
the children at the center are or.
| phans. The remainder are chill.
, dren of broken homes, children o.
> parents who, while short of chilC
abandonment, as defined by law
refuse to provide adequately TO
| their children in the home; ant
in a few cases, children of par
ents, one of whom is deceased
l believe these parents should b
compelled, if their economic stu
alton permits, to contribute a sur
L equivalent to the full cost of car
E ing for and educating their chill
; dren either at Twin Bridges O
J iE a foster home. There is some
5 thing wrong with a system whic
permits, in sc many cases, IRE
= sponsible parents absolving them
: selves of all parental obligation
Y by the simple expediency of lei
{ ting the state take care of thei
children. l recommend that yo
: consider modification of the law
defining abandonment to the en-
d shat if parents don't want thei
children, the youngsters a b
i placed for adoption in a hom
where they will receive the low
i and affection which is never forth
u coming in a state institution.
Is corrective action is taken it migl
conceivably be possible to SONS
q day discontinue the operation
Twin Bridges.
n Legislation designed to tighte
our marriage and divorce law
- could have a direct effect upo
- the number of children thru
- upon the general public fro
broken homes and / respectful
:, urge careful and favorable c0r
: sideration of such bills.
,r The budget for the State Trair
= ing School at Boulder as submit
is led by my predecessor provide
Or f3I Il redus ton in administered
le by reducing the number of re
- scnnel, In care an CT Stody.
l. repairs and maintenance and
education. You will note that !
le supplemental amendment / haT
or recommended an increase in fun
d. for care and custody and for ed
w. cation. The financial program
outlined in the budget leaves
at the end of the biennium a 81
lie plus of approximately two hui
of bred twenty-nine thousand dc
re lars. Weighing the risk of a DIR
in in state income against the nee
ne of the Boulder Institution l b
ty lieve the latter must prevail a
is this ALLEGATION has been made
KIT the training school on a basis
its priority.
he During this discussion / ha
or pointed out salary increases ]
employees but I would call 20
n attention to the fact that no sala
of increases have been given to t
Ter administrative heads of these CT
IT. todial institutions. Information
mt this message pertaining to ovt
he Startling, which could normally
to assumed was attributable to pt