Prison actions supported

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32959, 4 July 1972, Page 2

Prison actions supported

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 3.

There was no choice but to use force to compel obedience at Paremoremo Prison, the Minister of Justice (Sir Roy Jack) said today after he had received a report on the latest disturbance at the prison.

He said it was clear that a certain group of inmates had abused the recently granted privilege of visits jn relaxed conditions, and had then set out deliberately not only to ignore the superintendent’s lawful orders, but also to offer violent resistance to them.

Sir Roy Jack said he agreed with the superintendent’s decision. The suggestion by wellmeaning but misinformed people that the situation might have been handled differently was based upon a quite unrealistic view of the inmates concerned and the problems involved in handling them. The superintend-

ent, on the other hand, was an officer of wide experience in dealing with similar situations, and his judgment could not be questioned. The troubles spread to other blocks when a number of militant inmates chose to use the first episode as an excuse to challenge the staff’s actions. Sir Roy Jack said. He was grateful for the efforts of the mediators who tried to cool the situation, because they had prevented the majority of level-headed inmates from being drawn into a confrontation. The troublesome element had now been segregated, and normal routine for the remainder was gradually being restored, Sir Roy Jack said.