PRISON STAFF CRITICISED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29082, 19 December 1959, Page 17

PRISON STAFF CRITICISED

Lack Of Vigilance Alleged (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 18. The vigilance of the staff at Wellington Prison was criticised in the Magistrate’s Court today by Mr K. J. Bell, when entering a plea for leniency on behalf of Clive Chester Martin, aged 19, workman. Martin was appearing for sentence before Mr W. H. Carson, S.M., on four charges—escaping from lawful custody, conversion, unlawfully interfering with a car, and theft. Mr Bell said Martin had escaped from custody once before, was considered a security risk, and was placed under special observation. The half hourly checks lapsed, and there was an opportunity for escape which Martin took. “If the vigilance of the prison staff had been up to standard the escape would not have taken place at all,” he said. The Magistrate said Martin was given a year’s goal tn October for his last escape. He imposed a further six months gaol on each of the present charges to be served concurrently on the expiry of the year’s gaol sentence imposed in October.