FARM HOME BRUTALITY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 23

FARM HOME BRUTALITY

Report To State Parliament

(N XX.A.-Ktutrr^-Cotmrtght) BRISBANE. Nov. 15. Queensland's Westbrook farm home for boys had been the scene -t public beltings that "scar the mind.” bashings, castor oil punishment humiliation, “forelock salutes” and at least one kneeling apology, the State Parliament was told in a report tabled last night. The report, by Mr M. E. Schwarten. S.M., said the home could become a "criminal nreparatory school.” Public strappings formed part of its curriculum.

Mr Schwarten found that ti-e superintendent of the home (Mr R. Golledge) had struck a boy on the head with a plastic hose for dragging behind on parade. He had then hit the boy with his hand and kicked him near the thigh. His report, presented by the Health Minister (Dr. W. Noble) recommended the repeal of the regulations governing Westbrook in favour of separate systems for handling younger and older boys. The Magistrate rec o mmended also some immediate changes, including regulations governing corporal punishment of the boys.

He found many of the boys’ allegations about brutality were unfounded or exaggerated, but he found proven several of the boys’ charges of ill-treatment. He was

satisfied many of the inmates had been wrongfully punished corporally. He recommended that "incredible" public strappings be abandoned immediately, and a predetermined scale of punishment drawn up.