Borstal Property For Release Plan

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 9

Borstal Property For Release Plan

(New Zealand Preu AnoctationJ

WELLINGTON, April 22.

The Government has bought an Invercargill property which it will convert into a prerelease hostel for youths nearing the end of their sentence in the Invercargill Borstal, the Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) announced today.

The hostel is the first to be established in New Zealand. No opening date has been set.

Mr Hanan said today he was confident Invercargill’s traditional helpful, construe. t;ve attitude towards the borstal in the city would ex. tend towards the new home. “Pre-release hostels are established in many overseas countries and have proved outstandingly successful,” he said. "They are recognised as an essential part of any penal reform programme, particu. lar’.y for the borstal age group. Adjustment “Young men nearing the end of their sentences of borstal training need adequate preparation for the adjustments they must make when the time comes for them to re-enter society.

“In the hostel they will be prepared for release occupationally and socially. The hostel will be controlled by

persons suitably equipped for this work.” Mr Hanan said that only selected inmates enter the pre-release hostel. They would be allowed to go to work in suitable jobs found for them in the community, to approved entertainments and to private homes as guests.

Gradually they would get the feeling of living and working again amongst their fellows.

When the time came for release they would be well integrated in society. The change would be more one of address than anything else. “While in the hostel their earnings and savings are controlled and they are encouraged to buy clothes, tools, hobby materials, and so on. with the aim of fitting them to re-enter society without feeling they are at any serious disadvantage, or different from their fellows,” he said.