Paparua Riot Blamed On Emulating Mount Eden

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 1

Paparua Riot Blamed On Emulating Mount Eden

(Ffum Out O»<n Hrporfer' WELLINGTON, December 21. The great weight of evidence available to the Commission of Inquiry into the Paparua Prison outbreak of July 25 has indicated to the commission that if there had been no riot at Mount Eden there would have been none at Paparua.

This is one of the findings in a 30-page foolscap report by the commissioner (Mr E. A. Lee, S.M.) released today by the Government. At the public inquiry in Christchurch on October 4 to 8, Mr G. S. Orr assisted the commissioner, Mr J. W. Batt represented the Public Service Association and Mr P. W. Graham represented the State Services Commission.

Mr Lee found that although Paparua was understaffed on the day of the outbreak, this was not a factor either in the outbreak or the continuance of the riot. “More staff at Paparua is clearly needed,” he said, “and efforts are being made to obtain them.” The commission's main findings were: (1) The original outbreak at the church service was caused by a group of offenders deflant of authority who desired to create a disturbance following the example shown at Mount Eden. (2) The original insurrection disclosed a degree of planning but the subsequent assaults on prison officers on the parade ground and the destruction of the east wing formed no part of the original plan. (3) The objects were to emulate their fellow prisoners at Mount Eden and give a display of aggressiveness and defiance of authority. (4) Because of the restrictions imposed by the weather, and the movement of the main body of men into the east wing, plans for a disturbance that evening could be completed. It began at the church service, moved into the parade yard, and from there to the dining-room and Anally into the east wing where fires were lit and property destroyed. The riot was terminated by the use of tear gas. (5) The practices in force and procedures followed at the prison did not contribute to the start or continuation of the riot. (6) There was no breach of duty or failure to observe proper practice and procedure by any officer or employee of the pris n service. (7) All possible measures were taken to prevent the riot, to restrict its ex-

tent, to minimise the damage to property and to put an end to the riot (8) All possible measures were taken to ensure the safety of the public. “1 cannot conclude this report without commending the conduct of the prison officer who faced the rioters on this night,” Mr Lee says. Leadership “Reference to the evideice will show that the superintendent (Carew) displayed leadership of a high order and he was matched in courage by Deputy Superintendent Cruse, First Officer Poultney, Second Officers Somerville and Hood, Third Officer Thomas, Senior Prison Officers Thompson and Baker. Prison Officers McKay and Comp. “I have no doubt there are others who subsequently joined their fellow officers and gave outstanding service In subduing the rioters. None of the officers hesitated to expose himself to personal danger in order to contain the riot.

"Finally. I have to report that both the police department and the prison authorities have without reserve placed before the commission all information and relevant documents in their possession which were required by me.

“Superintendent Carew provided every facility for me to interview any prisoner at Paparua and I am satisfied no Information was withheld which could be helpful to me.

“That some prisoners were disturbed for various reasons, such as the length of sentence, the failure to get higher marks and so be credited with better earning, their dislike of some officers and so on, may certainly have persuaded some inmates to join in the disturbance, but was certainly not a factor in causing the riot. “Have Fun” “In the words of one wellinformed prisoner who did not take part. They decided to have what they referred to as fun in the hall ’ “There was some evidence that the major purpose was to cause a disturbance to cover an attack on a particular prisoner, and it may not be without significance that

an inmate, said to be sitting next to this prisoner, was severely injured in the hall. "Undoubtedly some prisoners felt, ‘lf Mount Eden can do it so can we.’ and lam satisfied that the outbreak at Mount Eden was the most compelling factor in the disturbance at Paparua. "Every prisoner interviewed who was willing to discuss the outbreak, spoke in the highest terms of the prison administration, and the improvement which has taken place in recent times Some had minor complaints against a particular officer but none suggested any conduct on the part of any officer justifying the riot “It is significant that there was no evidence that any of the Mount Eden prisoners took any active part in the previous planning, and that at the most only three, and possibly two. took any part tn the riot. “It seems certain that neither the presence in the prison of these men, nor the privileges which had been accorded them to mix with other prisoners, in any way contributed to the disturbance. Major Cause “I report therefore that the major cause of the original outbreak in the hall at the church service was instigated by a desire on the part of some prisoners to follow the example set at Mount Eden and create a disturbance" On the extent of planning involved, the commission finds that a certain amount of planning went into the original disturbance at the church service. One prisoner spoke of being approached a week before, but the evidence satisfied the commission that the original planning went no further than to create a disturbance in the hall.

“Prison officers on duty in the east wing on Sunday, July 25, spoke of a number of inmates moving from group to group obviously discussing something. All spoke of a feeling of tension in the wing although they were not in agreement as to the time at which it was noticed.

“Some thought it was evident as early as between 12 30 and 2 o’clock but others thought it was not apparent till after the kit locker fire, which started about 2.40 p.m. Whatever time it became evident it is certain there was tension in the east wing during the afternoon and before the evening meal.

“That there was planning for a disturbance is confirmed by the actions of the two prisoners who just before the service passed information to the orison officers to look out for trouble.

Not Pursued “Virtually simultaneous switching off of lights at both the front and rear of the hall also confirms the view that some plan had been formed,” Mr Lee says. T am convinced from the evidence and from all the circumstances that the plan did not extend beyond the disturbance in the hall. Tt is imoortant to remember that although there were attacks on the prison officers in the hall they appeared to be for the purnose of stooping the officers from interfering with the putting out of the lights They were not pursued to the extent of incapacitating the officers and no attack was made in the hall on the officers who entered after the disturbance started. “The choir was not inter fered with and no attempt was made to set fire to the premises: nor was there any immediate great rush to leave the hall.

“One man was engaged in smashing a door which, in fact was unlocked, and furni- , ture and windows were broken. In the process of this it would appear that some men worked themselves into a fkeezv of excitement and re-, fused to listen, or were incapable of listening, to reason, , when spoken to by the super- . intendeat tn the parade ' ground yard. “The appearance of the superintendent and senior offi- , cers at the doorway so sur-: brised the'inmates that they immediately rushed down the stairs Into the yard. That was in no way planned and I feel that any organisation had I ended with the disturbance < upstairs. i

“Subsequent events went far beyond the original planning and this view is supported by the statements of some prisoners that some of the organisers dropped out after leaving the hall and took no further part in the riot. “When one of the few prisoners _so engaged was smashing windows in the din-ing-room. he was overheard to say. ‘Where are my mates?’ "I am satisfied, therefore that while the disturbance during the church service was a planned demonstration, the subsequent attacks on prison officers in the parade yard and the destruction in the east wing were not part of the original planning.” Rioters' Objects Asked to determine what objects the participants sought to attain, Mr Lee said that the main one was to show that Panama inmates were just as defiant of authority as those of Mount Eden Prison officers were attacked to prevent the officers taking action, and not because this was some part of a plan. When chairs were thrown it was much more likely that prisoners would be injured ♦han that officers would be hurt.

There was no attempt originally at a mass escape. Later one or two men tried to climh a wall, but desisted when they saw Chief Officer Poultney. There was no evidence supporting the view that a mass escape, and little suggestion that even the escape of any of the inmates, formed part of the objectives. Nor was there any evidence that the destruction in the east wing was part of the original planning.

This developed from the unreasoning and uncontrolled behaviour of the more irresponsible section of the prisoners.

“If one of the objects in staging the disturbance was to attack a particular prisoner then this failed because he was not injured.” Mr Lee said. Aim Of Defiance “In my view the more compelling objective was to show that the originators were bold »>nnugh to defy authority, to follow the successful Mount Eden outbreak and to stage a disturbance.” Establishing the course of events, Mr Lee said that in the east wing the articles thrown during the afternoon were • milk bottle, a peephole cover and an electric light bulb. There were various reports of tension.

The building overseer for the Ministry of Works estimated the cost of repairs to the east wing, excluding labour, at £827 13s 7d. If paid labour had been used, it was estimated the cost would have trebled.

An electrical inspector for the Ministry of Works put the cost of reinstatement of the electrical installations at £2BO. The total damage was estimated at approximately £2OOO. excluding the damage to inmates’ property. No estimate was given of the value of the private property of prisoners which was destroyed. Although there was no evidence that anything in general practices and procedures at the prison contributed to the commencement or continuation of the riot, Mr Lee found his attention was drawn to the need for adequate facilities for the segregation of prisoners. Officers* Conduct No prisoner thought that the riot sprang from any dissatisfaction with the conduct of prison officers, and none of those taking an active part in the riot and in some cases strongly suspected of being ringleaders, suggested the conduct of prison officers as a contributing factor. “All such prisoners with whom the matter was discussed were emphatic that conditions had much improved and that the disturbance was not based on a desire to challenge the officers or to secure any improvement in their conditions.

‘With, 1 think, only one exception, all prisoners spoke freely and the one prisoner who did not wish to make any statement, did say that he had no complaint before the riot”

One conflict of evidence occurred, the report says. Senior Prison Officer Parker, who was in charge of the east wing on the Sunday afternoon, was aware of the state of tension and claimed he reported this to the supervising officer. Second Officer A. Somerville, about 3 “If he did this, and in the light of Second Officer SomerDlvvculCDul will IfUBHBIOOl), I

am unable to say that 1 find this fact proved, then he properly carried out his duty,” Mr Lee said.

“But whether he reported at that time or not, both he and the other officers on duty in the east wing that afternoon properly discharged their responsibilities up to the final parading of the men that evening for church service and recreation.” Water Supply Mr Lee found that the water supply was not adequate for the demand made upon it on the night of the riot. “I understand that the question of wate- supply is receiving attention, but if the additional works planned are not to be proceeded with forthwith, then the reserve supply system should be improved.” He recommends that the alarm buzzer system should be used for an emergency alarm only, and not, as indicated in evidence, to indicate the end of church service or the fact that the psychologist has finished with a group of inmates. Outside Switch Mr Lee suggested that in places such as halls, schoolrooms, dining-rooms and places of general assembly within the prison, at least one light should be operated from a switch outside the room so that it would remain on if all other switches and lights were turned off.

In view of the suggestion that the proportion of seriously emotionally disturbed inmates Was growing, Mr Lee suggests that more attention be paid to group therapy and discussions. This would mean the training or appointing of more officers suitable for the task.

Impressed by the views of prisoners who discussed this matter, Mr Lee says: “They were emphatic that a great deal of good flows from this type of education and training. They felt it could well be that a corresponding improvement in the behaviour of inmates would reduce the possibility of a similar disturbance taking place and could certainly reduce the number who would consider taking part.”