A WORD IN DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 156, 3 July 1937, Page 13

A WORD IN DEFENCE.

May I write a few words in defence of the treatment in H.M. Auckland Prison. Recently Mrs. A. J. Dreaver, a very active social worker, paid a visit to the institution and reported on what she had seen during her visit. Since my release I have heard much about the "glossy side" of prison life that was shown our lady visitor. I want to saythat there is nothing to hide as far as the treatment and correction of prisoners is concerned. Often, as I sit at dinner now, I remark, "Oh for some prison dinner," as I did really enjoy my meals there. As for my prison uniforms, they were clean and warm, including a suit of underwear of good warm material. The bedding was good and soft with four warm blankets, two white coarse calico sheets, and a white pillow-case, changed weekly. My cell, as all other cells, was clean with whitewash, and a border of tar on the walls, giving the cell a healthy appearance. On Tuesdays and Fridays we were required to have a. bath, and there was no shortage of hot water and soap, and we were allowed to stay in the bath for a considerable tinie. One gets the impression that the treatment in the Auckland prison is akirt to that,of what we read about Devil's Island. We hear of tales of brutal treatment of prisoners once the warders got them inside. I have even heard how warders go into prisoners' cells and use the boot. In defence of these officers I want to say that such treatment is not the case. During my stay I had nothing from them but kindness, and I can say positively that not once during my stay did I hear an unkind or harsh word spoken by the officers. These men are powerless to reply to all the criticisms that are hurled at them. They are firm, but they are kind and try and do everything possible to help us unfortunates. I have watched with interest the work of Mr?. Dreaver for the past fifteen years, and we owe much to her for the way she has stubbornly fought to better the lives of others. CELL-46-EAST.