PRISON SYSTEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1936, Page 17

PRISON SYSTEM.

RECENT CRITICISM.

ALLEGATIOiMS Of INJUSTICE. "ROMANCES," SAYS MINISTER. Tlie Minister of Justice, the Hon. •H. G. I\. Mason, writes:— Recently the "Star" lias published an extensive scries of assertions that men aie detained for long periods in our prisons without justification. Tile '"Star" especially invites its readers to give credence to what it has published by saying "by far the greater part of that criticism came from persons whose character and motives are unimpeachable, and whose qualifications to speak 011 the subject would be universally admitted if. their names could be published." The inexplicable thing 7s that the "Star," believing these things to be at least probable, and in immediate touch with those who profess to know of the specific instances of this injustice, lias not had the humanity to furnish the Minister of Justice witli even one specific instance in order that justice may be clone; nor have the "persons in this city" whom it quotes. In truth, the alleged cases do not exist. Record of One Prisoner. One correspondent who has filled much space in your columns in this connection wrote to an organisation—not to the Minister of Justice—in respect of a specific prisoner "that he had been convicted ,of petty theft in 1920 and had been in gaol ever since." Here are the facts concerning that prisoner: —

December, 1910, convicted; January, 1920, convicted; April, 1920, sentenced to three years' reformative detention; January, 1922, released; March, 1922, again before the Court; May, 1922, sentenced to thrco years' reformative detention; December, 1924, released; April, 1925, again before the Court; September, 1025, before Court on another serious charge, given five years' hard labour and declared an habitual criminal; March, 1932, released on license; October, 1932, recommitted for further three years for serious offences. This, last sentence was completed in October last and as an habitual criminal he has been retained in gaol since then. These stories of prisoners kept long years for petty offences are romances.

The "Star's" leader of sth instant questions the propriety of the ControllerGeneral of Prisons revealing the fact that certain anonymous correspondents had .long records of offence involving false pretences and dishonesty. I previously saw and authorised the statement of the Controller-General. The men cannot possibly be affected in any t way by j it. Unidentifiable behind impenetrable anonymity, they are entirely protected. Caution Necessary. The "Star" seems to doubt whether it is proper for the public to be undeceived and to be made aware that representations from an apparently houest, reliable and disinterested source come in reality from men long practised in deceit and who have special personal interests in attempting to mislead ,, the Minister and the public. I am not asking that statements be disbelieved merely because they come from prisoners, but experience shows the necessity of accepting with caution the statements of the false projtences -type—the skilled deceiver, who rejoices in his skill. I am afraid that) that caution has sometimes been lacking •on the part °f your informants. More caution might also be used by the "Star" itself. Is it proper, for example, to have your correspondence columns of sth instant made the vehicle for circulating the statement: "Mr. Maeon says, 'The reformation of' the prisoner is not aimed-at -his spiritual regeneration, but only to make him see the folly of hie ..ways?" Misrepresentation should stop short of professing to give one's exact words while . maliciously giving altered words. In view of the lack of knowledge displayed by many of those professing the most zeal for prison reform, I hope to I enlighten them somewhat as to the New Zealand system as soon ae the pressure of Parliamentary work eases off.

Recent criticisms of the prison .system arose from tho reports of happenings in the Auckland Prison .on Anzac Day. A part of the criticism —but only a part —consisted of assertions concerning th'i treatment of persons now in prison. The more important part, which concerned the prison system as a whole, and particularly the Habitual Criminals Act and its administration, came principally from persons "whoee character and motives are unimpeachable, and whose qualifications , to' speak on the subject would be universally admitted." Such criticism is entitled to, and should have, the Minister's full consideration.

The "Star" did not- "especially invite its readers to give credence" to assertions that men are detained for long periods, without justification. It is admitted —and was expressly stated, in our columns —that knowledge of alleged hardships comes to social workers' tod others mainly through the statements of prisoners and released prisoners. From what other sources can it' come ? If those who have ■ interested themselves in the question are to be met by the Minister with the accusation that their knowledge must come from prisoners, or released prisoners, and that therefore it is discredited, then criticism which is meant to be constructive will be discouraged, but rumour will not be stilled. It is true that zeal for prison reform is sometimes , accompanied by inaccurate knowledge of the facts, but .the public is ready to be accurately informed, and even "enlightened," when the Minister is ready.—Ed.