PRISON LIFE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 468, 29 March 1909, Page 6

PRISON LIFE.

A CAOLER'S CAREER. •

MR. FLANNERY'S RECOLLECTIONS. (BI TELSatiAPH.— SPICIAL CORRHSPONDIINT.I Napier, March 28. The "Daily Telegraph" publishes an interesting sketch of the career of Mr. Michael (Flannory, head gaoler at the Napier prison, who, having reached the ago limit decreed by tho Government, is retiring after 47 years' service. Mr. Flannery, who has the reputation (says the "Telegraph") of being one of the most humane gaolers in tho Dominion, has had a uniquo career in the guardianship of the criminal class. Ho is a native of Sligo, Ireland, and landed in New Zealand at Port Chalmers in 1862,, He- obtained employment for a few months in a store in Dunedin, but in the first year of his arrival joined the prison service. He was appointed a warder at the Dunedin prison under tho head gaoler, Mr. Stoddart. About two years and oight months later he was promoted to the position of sergeant warder, a position equivalent to that of a present chief warder. Ho remained in Dunedin until 1884, when he was transferred to Auckland, with the rank of chief warder. In 1897 Mr. Flannery was promoted to the position of gaoler m charge of tho Hokitika prison, and he remained thero until 1900. when he came to Napier in tho same capacity. In the-early days tho New Zealand criminal was of a more desperate typo than the class that now find themselves in durance vile. When Mr. Flannery joined tho prison service, a number of tho Botany Bay exconvicts made their way to New Zealand. In tlio Dunedin Gaol ho found such desperadoes as Garrett, Kelly, Burgess, and Lawlor. Theso reckless outlaws had attempted to introduce. Australian busliranging methods in Otago, and somo of them had "stuck up" peaceable homesteads ■at Maungatua and Tuapek.i. Subsequently they introduced murder into their category of crime, and for this outrage some of the gang were hanged on tho West Coast. In dealing with such men, a warder required courage, and tact, because in tho early daye tho gaols were very insecure. Mr. Flannory relates ono exciting incident during his life. Dunedin gaol contained a prisoner named Healey undergoing a long sentence for burning tho Corn Hall in Auckland and attempting to murder Mr. Thomas Russell. Hoaley was with a gang under tho charge of Warder Miller. At an opportune moment the prisoner grappled with th? warder and attempted to seize the rifle. Finding himself outclassed in the struggle, he took to his heels and ran. He made over the ground where First Church now stands, and leapt a huge bank. Warder Miller gave chdso and oalled on the convict to stop. Healey paid no heed to tho warning, and was making his way down Moray Placo when Warder? Miller fired. The shot missed as it was intended to do, and Healoy continued hie dash for liberty. Warder Miller fired again with tho same effect. Healey continued to run, but courted danger too long. Warder Millor. fined for tho third time, and shot the prisoner dead. At the coroner's inquest the jury returned a verdict upholding tho action of Warder Miller in carrying out what was his unfortunate duty. There is one side of a gaoler's life that plays with appalling force on tho heart strings. Few care to witness tho final penalty which the law demands, but it has fallen to Mr. Flannery , s lot to be the official spectator of somo notable- tragedies at tho gallows. Tho scenes havo considerably impressed him, although tho stern voice of duty has forced him to repress his human feelings. ' There is probably no man who has been brought into closer touch with tho working of tho. First Offenders' Probation Act than Mr. Flannory. In ' tliis district he has had to deal with a largo number of people under probation, and ho states'that there are very few defaulters. Occasionally they may n6t bo aHo to make payments, but their circumstances are always considered, and thoy aro allowed time. Mr. Flannery, it is satisfactory to know, speaks in wann terms of the Act, which he says serves a most useful purpose. Mr. Flannery owes his success as a gaoler to. the methods he has adopted. He looks upon the convicts under his charge as a part of the great human family who require handling.with tact. Ho holds many letters of gratitude from ex-prisoners who havo been under his charge. Mr. Flannery will remain in control of the Napier Gaol until tho end of the present menth, when he will retire, to reside in Wcllirgton.