S.M. Defends Auckland Prison Administration

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 14

S.M. Defends Auckland Prison Administration

tXevo Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 21.

A “rash publication” by an Auckland Sunday newspaper describing conditions in the maximum security prison at Mount Eden, Auckland, presented a distorted picture and was “sensational—but irresponsible journalism,” said Mr A. A. Coates, S.M., today.

In a report to the Secretary of Justice, he said, in his view, the article in the “Sunday News” was exaggerated and misleading, particularly where it applied to the treatment of prisoners by warders and prison staff.

But Mr Coates said he found during his visit to the prison that homosexuality, bookmaking, illicit “home” brewing, and fighting all occurred in varying degrees among prisoners.

He said there were isolated cases of unlawful or improper conduct, behaviour and practices, and trafficking. Mr Coates reported that, in his opinion, the administration of the prison was sound, and the staff were doing a good job under difficult conditions.

“While fair, honest criticism accurately based on ascertained facts and designed to remedy ills, can be accepted, this type of sensational but irresponsible journalism—which casts grave reflections on the decency, honesty and integrity of loyal and conscientious officers of the prison service—is wholly to be deprecated. “By creating needless disquiet in the minds of readers and by causing justifiable resentment among the prison officers and even some of the inmates, the rash publication of such unverified articles does a distinct disservice to those who are genuinely striving to improve our penal system,” he said. Overcrowding Mr Coates said the discipline and control of the prisoners was obviously affected by serious overcrowding, structural deficiences of the prison, and inadequacies of the prison itself. “For these reasons it would be wrong for me to attempt to compare the administration of the prison under the present superintendent with that under his predecessor. “During my inquiry, no serious complaint was made about the present administration.

“The general consensus among the witnesses is that under the guidance of the present superintendent, the administration of the prison has improved. This is borne out by the evidence. “Some witnesses stated the administration had never been better,” said Mr Coates. The Magistrate said: “My own impression is that he is a capable and efficient officer who is strict, but fair. “I think it can be fairly said he has the confidence and full co-operation of his staff,” he added. During his inquiry, Mr Coates made a full investigation into each allegation made by the newspaper articles. In his report he dealt at length with each of them. Unlawful Acts On unlawful or improper acts, behaviour or practices: “It is only to be expected that in a prison of this kind where so many persistent and experienced lawbreakers are confined, some unlawful or improper acts or behaviour will occur occasionally. “My inquiries show such acts or behaviour are not tolerated by the prison staff—which is doing its best to prevent them by maintaining strict supervision and taking reasonable precautions.

“Isolated cases have been detected and dealt with from time to time. In each case, prompt and effective action was taken. Any allegation that unlawful or improper acts, behaviour or practices are rife or uncontrolled in Auckland Prison has not been substantiated by the evidence available to me,” said Mr Coates.

On taking steps to prevent unlawful or improper acts, behaviour or practices: “I conclude confidently that the officers and employees have not condoned or failed to take any practical steps to prevent any unlawful or improper acts, behaviour or practices. “There was an impressive unanamity among witnesses that officers did not condone them, but always did their best to prevent them. Homosexuals On homosexual conduct: “It cannot be said homosexual conduct has not occurred among inmates. It is

only to be expected such conduct will occur when a large male population is compelled to live in confined quarters,” said Mr Coates.

“It is known to take place in a free society by those who wish to indulge in it. “One must expect the same thing to happen in a penal institution—particularly where some of the inmates have been sentenced for homosexual offences.

“I am satisfied the present superintendent has done, and is doing, all in his power to prevent homosexual behaviour among inmates. “Any known homosexual is put in a single cell—usually in a separate part of the prison—and his activities both at work and during leisure periods are closely supervised.” Bookmaking On bookmaking and trafficking: “Many inmates are interested in horse racing. It is not surprising therefore that in leisure periods during the week-end, inmates listen to the racing. “Inmates back their fancy with their only available currency—mainly tobacco and chocolate. This has involved some bookmaking and the use of doubles charts.

“Experienced prison officers stated in evidence any attempt to suppress this relatively harmless amusement would lead to serious trouble,” said Mr Coates.

“Trafficking among inmates is difficult to detect—and also to prevent.”

Mr Coates said: “The prison staff has done its best to stop it by making regular and sudden searches of the cells and other places. “Trafficking cannot be carried on if inmates lack the means with which to do it. As such means can be brought into the prison during visiting periods, prison officers are present. “I consider the staff has the position well under control and that apart from a few isolated exceptions the members of the staff have not permitted, condoned, or been accessory to trafficking among inmates,” he said. Home Brew On possession of liquor by inmates: “It is well-known in the prison that the making of home brew by certain inmates is a favourite pastime. Raisins, fruit and other ingredients are available in the kitchen —and yeast is used in the bakery. “Prison officers are constantly on the watch for

brews—but considerable ingenuity is displayed by some inmates in making and hiding these brews. “I am convinced the staff does its utmost to prevent the making and consumption of brews. I am also satisfied every attempt is made to locate and destroy any brew surreptitiously made and hidden.” Fighting On fighting among inmates: “It is quite common for fights to occur between inmates. This is only to be expected because in the prison setting, grievances, resentments and tensions inevitably build up and explode in fisticuffs between those concerned.

“It is not true officers have stood by—allowing the fight to continue until one or more of the combatants have been injured.

“I am satisfied by an impressive volume of evidence that officers near the scene of a fight immediately take steps to stop it,” said Mr Coates. “It is true that on a few occasions, an officer has allowed a fight to continue where it was a fair fight between two evenly matched inmates using their fists only. “This was done to enable the fighters to get it out of their systems and to settle their grievances to their satisfaction,” he said. Medical Help On medical assistance and treatment: “I found no evidence to prove any officers or employees had improperly failed to obtain or provide adequate medical assistance and treatment for any inmate. “Similarly, there was no evidence whatever to show any officer or employee had delayed in obtaining medical aid for any inmate in need of it —or that the health of any inmate had been adversely affected by a failure on the part of any officer or employee to obtain or provide medical assistance or treatment.”

On unlawful use of force by officers on inmates: “There was agreement among witnesses including inmates—that officers do not use unnecessary or unlawful force on inmates. “I obtained no evidence of any specific case where an officer had ill-treated or used unnecessary violence on an inmate.

“Certainly, at times an officer may be compelled to use force in self defence or to restrain a recalcitrant inmate —but it is generally agreed that even in these cases, only reasonable force is used,” said Mr Coates.