PRISONERS' RIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 11

PRISONERS' RIGHTS.

INTERVIEWS WITH COUNSEL appeal for privacy. "JUSTICE SHOULD SEEM FAIR." (By Telegraph.— Special to "Star.") W ELLINGTON, this day. Considerable interest has been aroused by statements made by Mr. B. J. Dolan in the Magistrate's Court a week ago in regard to facilities for counsel to interview prisoners at Wellington. Asked whether he had submitted H report as suggested by the magistrate, Mr. Dolan yesterday said he had done so. It had been personally sent to Mr. I age, S.M., and contained the following submissions: (1) As to the Police Court, the only accommodation provided is a chair in a narrow passage between the prisoners' room and the dock, with no facilities for writing, within earshot of police officials, and in view of the general public; (2) as to the central police station, 110 special room is provided, but counsel is accorded the privilege of interviewing clients in the senior sergeant's office. On one occasion, at least, an official has been present in this room throughout an interview between counsel and his client, and on other occasions officials have continuously entered the office during such interviews. It is submitted, with deference, that the senior sergeant should not be obliged to give up his office as an act of courtesy to counsel, but that a private room or place should be provided for such professional interviews, not as a matter of privilege, or of courtesy, but as of right; (3) at Terrace Prison here an apartment provided for interviews has a medieval listening hole in one partition. Prison officials and prisoners are frequently present in an apartment on the other side of this partition, and clients have drawn the writer's attention to the fact that aural and ocular observations were being taken during interviews. The apartment is by no means sound proof, and the writer has personally overheard conversations between counsel and client whilst awaiting his turn for an interview.

In none of these cases is there any imputation against either the police, prison officials, or prisoners, of any intentionally improper conduct, but it has often been judicially remarked that the administration of justice should not only be fair but seem fair. It is respectfully urged that prisoners who, for want of money or friends, or by reason of circumstances of their offence, cannqt find, or are refused bail, should be allowed the utmost privacy when consulting counsel. A prisoner who can find bail has all that advantage. Moreover, in certain instances, prisoners, given appropriate opportunities, may make admissions to their counsel which could 1 legitimately assist the administration ofi justice even from the standpoint of the' prosecution. I