Tension At Mt. Eden Gaol

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29797, 13 April 1962, Page 12

Tension At Mt. Eden Gaol

AUCKLAND, April 12. Police stood by for an hour at Auckland prison this morning in case of trouble which, according to Dr. J. L. Robson, Secretary for Justice, was “potentially serious ' ’ The trouble has been brewing for some time. Last Tuesday’s brawl, in which two prison officers were hurt was an instance of the current unrest. It is understood a further group of prisoners object to charges being laid against

(N.z. Press Association) seven of their number and against any loss of privileges. Prison staff felt there might be some demonstration at the 8 a.m. muster today. Dr. Robson said he had received a short report from the prison superintendent (Mr H. V. Haywood), of a rumour of trouble. Mr Haywood took precautions and called for a police detachment to be on hand but nothing eventuated. Dr. Robson said the prison remained “to an unsettled condition,” but the rtog-

leaders in Tuesday’s brawl would appear in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland tomorrow.

The group of prisoners involved are known to be a younger element. They have tried to settle vendettas among themselves and have then involved officers who attempted to break up any fighting.

A prison official today blamed overcrowding for much of tihe unrest. “Existing conditions demand a tolerance beyond fairness from both staff and inmates,” he said.