MOUNT EDEN GAOL RIOTS

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 19

MOUNT EDEN GAOL RIOTS

‘Undemocratic’ hearings CN.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 28. A claim that the hearing of charges against Mount Eden inmates involved in last week’s rioting was undemocratic, has been made by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

A special meeting of the league’s Auckland branch, headed by a barrister, Mr P. A. Williams, resolved that the hearings, held at the prison this week, were contrary to the democratic process on the grounds that the inmates were denied the right of counsel and the press were excluded. In a statement after the meeting, the league emphasised that while New Zealand might pride itself in matters pertaining to the welfare of its citizens, it was deplorable that in the realm of treatment of prisoners, the country had fallen so far behind many other civilised countries. “We consider that part of the reasons for the restlessness of inmates- over the last few years has been a lack of communication, between the prisoners and the authorities regarding the prisoners’ alleged grievances,” the statement said. “Recent disturbances at Mount Eden prison have again highlighted the need for the improvement of our penal institutions and a greater emphasis upon the rehabilitation aspect of punishment.”