PRISON GATE MISSION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23716, 14 August 1942, Page 7

PRISON GATE MISSION

REPORT TO ANNUAL MEETING During the year, 185 former prisoners were assisted, 80 of them on discharge from prison, reported the secretary (the Rev. P. Re veil) at the annual meeting of the Prison Gate Mission yesterday. All told, 432 applications were granted—l3l for board and lodging, food, rent, and meals. 97 for clothing, 24 for fares and other help to work, and 180 miscellaneous requests for firing, light, and other assistance.

“There has been another change in the superintendency of Addington Female Reformatory,” Mr Revell continued. “After eight years in that office, Miss Hewitt has resigned on superannuation. She has carried on the splendid work "begun by her predecessor, Miss Hunt. As the result of these kindlier, more understanding methods, two results stand out—first, the almost total disappearance of ‘gaol hysteria’ among the women prisoners, and second, that the tendency to relapse into crime has been halted in many of them. The new lady superintendent is carrying on the same methods., Thus a very interesting and successful attempt at prison reform has been in progress in our city.” Officers were elected as follows: Chairman, Mr S. W. Jameson; committee. the Revs. J. M. Fisher and P. Revell, Mr A. J. McEldowney; and Misses E. Cardale and E. Bennett; treasurer, Mr J. H. Stringer. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £4O 13s 7d.