“Gave Distorted View Of Prison”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 3

“Gave Distorted View Of Prison”

GVew Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 21.

The distorted picture presented by an Auckland Sunday newspaper of con-

ditions in Mount Eden Prison, Auckland, did a distinct disservice to those who were genuinely striving to improve New Zealand’s penal system.

This is stated in the inquiry report by Mr A. A. Coates, S.M., released today.

The massive 6000-word report covers every aspect of the inquiry called for by the Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) after two articles ap-

peared in the “Sunday News.” In his report, Mr Coates said the first article, “The Black Shame of Mount Eden,” appeared on August 30. The follow-up article, “Prison Scandal Explodes,” was published on September 6.

Mr Coates said he interviewed and obtained statements on oath from the editor of the newspaper, the reporter under whose name the first article appeared, and also the former prison warder who contributed to the second story. He also interviewed the former convict who supplied the information on which the first article was based. Not Verified Mr Coates said that in the first article no steps were taken by the newspaper to verify from any other source the truth or accuracy of the alleged facts. Certain statements contained in this article were incorrect. The former prisoner had said that some statements had been “blown up” or enlarged in the article published.

Mr Coates said the former prison officer emphatically denied certain passages in the second article.

The sworn statement the former prison officer made to him was more circumspect and far less sensational than the article in question. During his inquiry Mr Coates interviewed and obtained either sworn evidence or written statements from 67 witnesses. Of these 27 w’ere members of the prison staff and 25 were inmates.

(Inquiry Findings, Page 14)