EMPLOYMENT MOVE More Parole For Borstal Inmates

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 14

EMPLOYMENT MOVE More Parole For Borstal Inmates

(New Zeeland Free* Aeeociallen? WELLINGTON, May 9.

The Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) said today he had instructed the Justice Department to extend the daily paroling of borstal inmates to enable them to engage m employment within the community.

He said that since this scheme began in November, 1961, * large num ' ber of borstal trainees and adult prisoners had benefited and there were usually some 40 borstal trainees and 45 adult prisoners going out daily from either hostels or

institutions. la most cases the parole had been restricted to the last six months of the sentence and usually to those serving sentences of 18 months or more. Early Wert However, Mr Hanan said he felt that particularly in the case or adults in prison for the first time there would be advantages in getting them out to work early in their Furthermore, to enable more inmates to participate in the scheme it should not be restricted to those serving the longer sentences, he said. Instructions along these lines had been given to the Justice Department Commenting generally on the scheme, the Minister said that it recognised the need to return offenders to the community under conditions that lessened the chances of further offending. The period after release

was a critical time for most inmate* and the object was to help them to adjust to normal living under controlled conditions. While at work they paid board to the institution and contributed to the maintenance of their dependents, said Mr Hanan. Additional sums could also be appropriated for payments of outstanding fines, for res-

i tttation and for medical and i dental treatment . what remained was then I available to the inmate on his discharge. _ ’ I In supporting themselves I and their families and paying ■ off their debts inmates were encouraged to take a more positive attitude towards life i and were helped to face up I i to their responsibilities, said . the Minister. I