Prisoners decline

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33541, 23 May 1974, Page 14

Prisoners decline

Prisoner numbers had declined over the year because the Periodic Detention Centre was being used more frequently; said the secretary of the Canterbury and Westland branch of the Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society (Mr G. H. Shakespeare) in his annual report last evening. “About 100 men are serving under the detention-centre scheme. I think this is the reason why we have less married man in prison from the I Christchurch area,” Mr i Shakespeare said. Every inmate who asked ,the society for help in findling a jom was placed in emIployment within a matter of 'hours — but finding them accommodation was a different story, he said. “Flats and houses for married people with families are virtually impossible, even if they can afford three weeks rent in advance plus a bond ranging from $4O to $100,” Mr Shakespeare said. “It becomes very depressing when the words ‘sorry, no children’ or ‘not suitable for small children’ erminate an inquiry.” Mr Shakespeare said that the cost of aid for former inmates, probationers, and defendants for the year was I $5350.

All officers of the society were re-elected. They are: i President, Mr P. B. Cosgriff; [vice-presidents, Messrs M. L. [Rathgen and M. C. Tryon; [secretary, Mr Shakespeare; itreasurer, Mr K. S. Jameson.