More Visitors Sought For Prisons

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30793, 3 July 1965, Page 14

More Visitors Sought For Prisons

A semicar on prison visiting will be held at the Paparua Prison on July 15. The prison superintendent (Mr M. C Carew) said yesterday that it was hoped to extend the seope of prison visiting. “Any persons interested in prison visiting who would like to attend the seminar is invited to get in touch with the Prisoners' Aid and Rehabilitation Society, Cambridge terrace, or Mr H. M. McDonald, of the society." Mr Carew said. The service clubs in Christchurch have been invited to send representatives to the seminar. The Christchurch Rotary Club is already doing good work in the field. The Lions and Jaycees are Included in those invited to help. Mr Carew will give a short

address after the visitors have been shown round the institution, then informal group discussions will be held.

The main aim in prison visiting is to establish an “outside” friend for an inmate. The visitor takes an interest in the inmate after he has been released. The prison authorities have found that in many instances an inmate will take heed of an individual in preference to any person in authority. The Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society pioneered the work. The value of a prisoner having someone to turn to when released, in contrast with being bereft of friendship or having only other former prisoners as friends, has been well proven Prison authorities are anxious to establish a wider liaison between inmates and those outside.