Paparua Gaol Progress

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 1

Paparua Gaol Progress

(Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 12.

Plans were well advanced for a new cell block and for reconstruction and extension of service blocks at Paparua Prison, said the Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) in renly to a question by Mr P. Blanchfield (Opp., Westland).

Mr Blanchfield had asked whether the Minister intended to rectify the position at Paparua where, according! to a recent statement by ai

high-ranking prison officer, “incorrigible prisoners are mixed up with those trusted by the authorities.” Mr Blanchfield also asked when steps would be taken to effect desirable and essential changes in the organisation of prisons generally. Mr Hanan said the Paparua proposals would facilitate segregation of inmates within the institutions.

Replying to the second question, he said the building of a new maximum security prison at Auckland and the extensions at Paparua would I fill a long-standing need, and would reduce the present overcrowding, as well as giving improved facilities for segregation and classification. In reply to a question by Mr L. F. Sloane (Govt., Hob-

son), Mr Hanan said a start had been made on the reroofing of the chapel and administration blocks of Mount Eden.

Other parts of this prison to be repaired were the south, west and north extension wings, and part of the north and east wings. “It is intended to demolish those parts of the north and east wings not being reroofed.” Mr Hanan said. “The cells in the parts of the institution to be reroofed have been made serviceable. Last Friday there were 145 inmates in this institution.” In a new cell-block at Mount Eden, 14 prisoners would be accommodated under maximum security provisions pending the completion of Paremoremo.