Mount Eden Riot

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30811, 24 July 1965, Page 14

Mount Eden Riot

Sir, —Listening to the news yesterday morning I was amazed to hear of the breakfast served out to prisoners still held at the prison—porridge, bacon and eggs, and tea; also, no doubt, bread and butter, or would it be toast? I am nearly 80 and live on a tiny income. Bacon and eggs at present prices are a luxury I cannot often afford. I remember years ago the evening paper published an article about Paparua prison, giving menus and food supplied daily, which filled me with envy. Would the authorities care to publish the food supplied to prisoners now, plus the other amenities such as radios, tobacco, and, no doubt, newspapers? May I add a word of admiration for the prison officials, firemen, and others who did such wonderful work? I trust they took time off to eat some wellearned bacon and eggs.— Yours, etc., A.F.H. July 23, 1965.

Sir,—“F.W.P.F.” talks about a "kid glove” policy. What "kid glove” policy? A fraction of 1 per cent of persons tries to change the old order with its high degree of recidivism, but for the remainder it is still, as it always has been, hate unlimited. The offender, once inside, soon finds out there is nothing “kid glove" about the attitude of the average “screw” and the other inmates. When he gets out he finds the workers won’t mix with him; the average employer won’t employ him. The attitude of the man in the street is typified by remarks such as, “Flog them; turn the hoses on them. Hang ail the murderers; they’re just a burden on the taxpayer.” So your first offender all too often ends up back inside again.— Yours, etc., B.H. July 23, 1965.

Sir, —Instead of the convicts at Mount Eden prison rioting, it should be the soldiers asked to wait on them, providing Waldorf-Astoria meals. Through your columns may we, the taxpayers, be given the diet sheet and cost of keeping one man in a maximum security gaol?— Yours, etc.,

BREAD AND WATER. July 23, 1965.