PRE-RELEASE HOSTEL

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30530, 27 August 1964, Page 1

PRE-RELEASE HOSTEL

This 10-roomed, 54-year-old house in Opawa will probably be the first pre-release hostel for adult prisoners in New Zealand.

The . Ministry of Works is negotiating to buy the house, near the Opawa Railway Station, on behalf of the Justice Department. The Secretary of Justice (Mr J. L. Robson), questioned yesterday, said that it was hoped to make an announcement soon. The house, of wood with a tiled roof, is divided into

flats. It is on a site of 63 perches. Mr Robson said that six prisoners at a time from Paparua Prison would be put in the house, in the charge of a warden and his wife; while they were doing prerelease work in the city during the last six months of their gaol sentences. The men would be carefully selected, and the home would be run on the lines of the successful pre-release hostels for Borstal inmates which had been established at Invercargill, Mount Albert, Hamilton and Wellington, Mr Robson said.

Paparua prisoners have been doing pre-release work with Christchurch firms for the last two years. They leave the remand prison at Adding-

ton in the mornings and return after work. The scheme has been most successful, a very few prisoners betraying the trust put in themThe. Justice Department has made it clear that its policy is to have pre-release hostels where possible, on the main ground that it gives the prisoners a home-like atmosphere in which to adjust in getting back to life “outside.” Pre-release hostels also save taxes. It cost about £750 a year to keep one inmate in Borstal and £648 to keep a prisoner in gaol. When inmates are employed on pre-release work, they pay board out of their wages, at ruling rates for private board. T •’mited evening leave from the hostel will be granted for approved purposes. The hostel will be run like an ordinary household as far as possible, with the warden, his wife, family, and prisoners all part of the family. The Justice Department has been looking for a prisoners’ pre-release hostel in Christchurch for more than a year. Properties in Barbadoes street, Hornby, and Ham have been considered.