Inmate’s Coded Message Read To Inquiry

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30918, 26 November 1965, Page 3

Inmate’s Coded Message Read To Inquiry

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, November 25. The coded message which an inmate of the Auckland Prison attempted to pass to Jonassen Sadaraka three days before the July riot and fires read: “John, regret must cancel our trip tonight,” the commission of inquiry into the riot was told today.

The hearing, which was held in Auckland before Mr A. A. Coates, S.M., concluded at 3.15 p.m. Mr Coates said that at this stage — the completion of the evidence —he could make no comment. He would prepare and present his report to the proper quarter.

Mr R. C. Savage was the counsel assisting the commission. Mr H. T. D. Knight appeared for the Public Service Association and Mr E. J. Ironside for the State Service Commission.

Asked if he had told the superintendent before the riot occurred of his opinion that people could get out of prison, Third Officer I. A. Mackay said he told the chief officer.

Mr Mackay said he believed the real protection at the prison was not iron bars and grilles but the mutual respect of officers and inmates.

He listed a number of suggestions for better security that had been compiled by his shift over the last three years.

He said his suggestions were given to the Inspector of Prisons for him to study about a month before the riot. Mr Mackay gave several in-

stances of where he thought there were weak security measures.

Mr Savage asked him was there any foolproof system where locks were involved. “I suggest you don’t take any chances,” he answered. Recalled to the witness box, Assistant Superintendent D. W. Byrne said that Mr Mackay had never suggested to him that with 12 officers he was understaffed on his night shift. Nor had he drawn matters of general security as distinct from personal security, to his attention.

Degrading Tendency

On behalf of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Mr F. C. Jordan submitted that conditions in the prison had tended to degrade and unsettle prisoners, rather than rehabilitate them.

Although it did not necessarily follow that these conditions were the actual cause of the riot they tended to create feelings in inmates that would cause tension and render riot possible, as well

as create the possibility of future riots.

There was “an urgent need” for a first offenders’ prison. They were mixed with the criminals who had served many years’ imprisonment. There was a general lack of hygiene with poor facilities and a tendency to upset prisoners and impair their contentment and sense of responsibility. “The staff cannot do as well or act as patiently toward prisoners as if there were adequate staff,” said Mr Jordan.

“The staff hold Important and responsible positions and an upgrading of their status would attract men who would like to serve but find it difficult on present terms.” Few men in the remand block elected to work and they had no means of recreation. This tended to make them restive and dissatisfied. Finally, some prisoners at parole board hearings were unable to present their cases adequately. A request that counsel be allowed to appear for them had been refused.

The league urged that this was wrong, said Mr Jordan, and the contentment of prisoners would be enhanced if those who wished were helped in the preparation of their cases.

Mr E. G. Benstead, a social worker, said he thought hygiene in the prison was “perfectly disgusting.” “I think it is a wonder an epidemic has never broken out,” he said. “I feel that conditions in Mount Eden generally are in no way conducive to any rehabilitation whatsoever.” “Not Paid Enough” Captain S. R. Banyard, retired church army officer, said he thought conditions for staff in the prison were tense and dangerous and that the staff was not paid properly for the work it had to do.

“In my opinion, knowing the thoughts of prisoners and men shut in for long periods, this explosive behaviour was inevitable,” he said.

Captain Banyard said he always felt all the time that he was at the prison that the staff did not get a fair go. “I always felt they never had sufficient pay tc compensate them for the task they were doing,” he said. “The staff live dangerously and tensely all the time they are on duty.”

Although he was not present at the riot, Captain Banyard said: “I have a feeling that the burning and the smashing which happened after the men were released was an unconscious expression

of resentment by the main body of prisoners.”

This was because of the overcrowding and the need to secure a few intractables. Because of this need the whole prison over the last few years had grown more and more into a sort of fortress.

“The majority of the men would feel this atmosphere of grimness in spite of the fact that all the normal activities continued.”

Detective Inspector M. T. Churches, of the Auckland C. 1.8., was recalled to give further evidence. He said that he had received a copy of the coded message which was found in a newspaper, about which evidence had been given.

This was the one that an inmate had attempted to pass to J. Sadaraka on July 17. The message was decoded, he said. It read: “John, regret must cancel our trip tonight. Been questioned about cell key. Have seen Mac. Our cell got special treatment. Keep blankets whole mate. See how things go later.” Visitor Found

Inspector Churches said he was present at the inquiry when evidence was given about visitors to Macmillan and Western at the prison.

“We have now located the person who visited Western and Macmillan on Judy 15,” he said. “She is a distant relation of Macmillan and Western.

“From the inquiries I have made I am satisfied with this person.” Mr Coates: There is no longer anything sinister in this?—No, sir. Third Officer K. Langley said that sentenced prisoners were always searched after a visit, but he thought that sometimes remand prisoners might not be.

“The dome officer might have four grille gates to cope with and the stairs lined with remand prisoners returning from visiting, and he can’t cope with all that and searching,” said witness. Mr Ironside: You have not yourself seen the remand prisoners going through without being searched? Witness: True, but I have seen the dilemma of the officers. It is truly a dilemma. Mr Coates: It is alarming enough to see that something is done about it. It should not be allowed to happen in an institute like Mount Eden. He said he remembered from a previous inquiry that there were more than 1000 movements every day through the dome, and that was where this searching was done, he said.