GAOL BREAK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 236, 4 October 1940, Page 3

GAOL BREAK.

AUCKLAND ESCAPE.

INQUIRY TO BE HELD.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

WELLINGTON, this day.

Two questions arising out of the escape of prisoners from the Auckland gaol this week were raised in the House of Representatives yesterday. The reply given by the Minister in Charge of Prisons, Dr. McMillan, to an urgent question by Mr. Broadfoot (National. Waitomo) aroused expressions of some dissatisfaction from members of the

Opposition. Mr. Broadfoot asked the Minister if he would inform the House what steps he proposed to take to prevent a recuf-rem-e of the dastardly assault on the warders in the Auckland gaol. Was it a fact that prisoners in future were to be allowed to -wear civilian clothes out of working hours and, if so, would this not intensify the difficulties of the police in recapturing escaped prisoners and thus greatly endanger the lives and property of the general public?

i)r. McMillan said that an investigation of the escape from Auckland gaol was being made and if there had been any relaxation of the customary vigilance the necessary remedial steps would be taken. The fact that there had not been a single escape from Auckland prison during the past five years, until tlijs recent happening, was evidence of the careful precautions taken by the authorities at the prison, where it was well known that' the worst criminals in the Dominion were incarcerated. Similar happenings in what were regarded as the strongest prisons overseas would indicate ihat, notwithstanding the most careful precautions, the risk of an isolated attempt at prison breaking was an inevitable contingency facing the authorities.

The Minister added that his inquiries disclosed that the usual routine that had been prescribed over the past decade and longer was observed on the occasion of the recent escape. Not Accurate? Referring to the second part of Mr. Broadfoot's question, the Minister said it was to be regretted that the hon. gentleman had not stated his facts accurately—an omission which, however, would occasion no surprise to hon. members. Mr. Speaker interposed when the Minister made this conii.tent, and objection was voiced also by members of the Opposition.

Continuing, Dr. McMillan said tliat, contrary to the implication in the question, all prisoners were not permitted to wear civilian clothes, this privilege being accorded only to those prisoners whose industry and conduct were satisfactory. Mr.- Broadfoot would know this had he read the regulations. Prisoners about whom there were doubts were not accorded these privileges, and indeed the prisoners who escaped were dressed in prison clothee. ' *

Moreover, contrary to the implication in the hon. member's question, even as far as an escaped prisoner was concerned, the wearing of civilian clothes might reduce rather than increase the danger to the lives and property of the general public, the Minister added. An escaped prisoner in prison garb, especially if he were a really bad character, was in desperate need of civilian clothes and must of necessity commit immediate burglary, even if it be with violence, to obtain them. Gifts of Motor Cars! Mr. Holland (National, Christchurch Xorth): Provide him with a motor car and he will not have to steal one. "It is also interesting to observe the irresponsible way in which some newspaper editors -with the utmost abandon are apportioning blame and making the most dogmatic statements in reference to this regrettable occurrence," continued the Minister. A thorough inquirv would be held and a full statement made as soon as the facts were to hand, he added.

Notice was given by Mr. Bodkin (National, Central Otago) to ask tUe Minister if it was a fact that young lads who had been sentenced to terms of reformative detention were permitted to associate with criminate of the worst type. "From the report in the Press of the brutal assault that was committed in Auckland," said Mr. Bodkin, "it appears that at least two lads, aged 21 and 23 years respectively, were permitted to associate in prison with a man who had been convicted of a particularly brutal murder." Return Wanted.

Mr. Broadfoot also gave notice to ask the Minister for a return showing the length of term served by persons convicted of murder and duly sentenced to death, when the sentence had been commuted by the Executive Council to life imprisonment through, presumably, mitigating circumstances. If eentence of death were to be commuted in every case of persons convicted of murder, would the Minister consider the application of the cat-o'-nine tails as a deterrent Reporter.).