STATE REFORMATORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 8

STATE REFORMATORIES.

INSTITUTIONS FOR WOMEN. I SEPARjATESG THE GLASSES, (By Telegraph.—'Press Association.) J *"*■■' WELLINGTON, Thursday. Last session the Minister of Justice, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, succeeded in placing on the Statute Book an amendment to the Reformatory Institutions 'Act, 1909, which, provided, inter alia, that the Governor-General may by proclamation declare any building or place to be a State reformatory institution. This Act gives the Minister of Justice power at any time, by order under his hand, to transfer to a State reformatory institution or reformatory home any female prisoner detained in prison for a a term whereof not more than two years remain unexpired. An attempt was made by the Minister to obtain the Te Oranga Home at Christehurch for this purpose, but for good and sufficient reasons this has ibeen found impossible. Tie Minister stated to-day that it was Jiis intention to ask the GovernorGeneral to proclaim State reformatory institutions in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedin. In regard to Ohristchurch, he said, that he believed it would be po£»ible to make the •women's prison at Addington the first State reformatory, with, accommodation elsewhere ior -hardened women criminals, reserving that institution, which is eminently suitable for the purpose, for young girls and firet offenders, as a reformatory. The Minister proposes visiting Christchurch as soon as possible, with the inspector of prisons, to decide this question dually. . _, fc