‘Welcome to visit boys’ home’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 14

‘Welcome to visit boys’ home’

Representatives of any reputable organisation are welcome to visit the Stanmore Road Boys’ Home, and “look around every corner of the institution,” says the director of the Department of Social Welfare in Christchurch (Mr M. Lyons).

Mr Lyons has replied to a correspondent, “Old Boy”, whose letter, printed in "The Press” on March 31, asked why such homes were “secret places” when the public should know what occurs in them and be prepared to help. The correspondent also asked whether the Minister of Social Welfare (Mr King) was aware that secure rooms existed in the Stan- . more Road Boys’ Home after ; earlier expressing concern at finding similar rooms at the Kingslea Girls’ Home? And did the Minister condone the solitary confinement of juveniles? Mr Lyons says in a statement to “The Press” that 140l> young persons appeared before the Christchurch Children’s Court last year and most were boys: yet the secure facilities at !the boys’ home yvere in : little demand. Boys are better off at the Stanmore Road home than at the Addington (remand centre, he says; there they would be in less desirable company. “It is not a happy exercise i to detain adults in what

your correspondent calls “a; cell" and it is less so for young persons,” Mr Lyons says. “This can mean someone up to the age of 17 (still knoyvn legally as a child) and detained usually after a history of violent offending and a clear, stated, intention :of absconding, “Usually these are further : court appearances in view and possible detention in a I penal institution. The immediate purpose may well ! include observation for psychiatric reasons and an opportunity to unwind from an; ; episode of disturbed behaviour,” Mr Lyons says. It would’ be chaotic if ; there were no means for making sure that the recaljcitrant ones stay put and ; available for further court appearances, an even for avoiding further injury to the community and themselves, he says. “The administration of these rooms is under strict control. Each confinement has to be confirmed by a senior officer outside the home and a monthly return of usage is checked by me personally,” says Mr Lyons.