GAOL CHAPLAINS

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1182, 18 July 1911, Page 4

GAOL CHAPLAINS

SOME GLIMPSES OF PRISON Lip. Illy Telesraph-Prosa Association.) Christcliurch, July 17. In connection with tho discussion at tho meeting of tho Christchurch Presbytery last week, on the question of the payment by tho Government for tho services of guol chaplains, <i reporter interviewed tho ltcv. Canon Coates, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, and Anglican chaplain to LytteUon Gaol. Canon Coates said ho thought tho subsidising of gaol chaplains by tho Government was out of tho question. Ho had been appointed by Bishop Julius as Anglican chaplain for Lyttelton Gal, and he received an allowance in this connection from diocesan funds. It hnd never occurred to him to expect to receive any monetary assistance from tho Government. "There, is no doubt at all," added Canon Coafes, "that little as one can do for tho prisoners by means of religious intercourse and holding of services, it is tho best influence that can be brought to bear on them, and indeed is almost tho only reformatory influence. Lyttelton Gaol, as it stands, is obsolete, and classification is impossible. Prisoners of all ages—lirst offenders and hardened criminals—must, by reason of the cramped conditions obtaining, como in close contact with one another. I have known men sentenced for the first time, who for the firsi few weeks or months have frit most keenly (he ignominy nf I heir position, and who liavo been deeply repentant, but by reason of their snrroiindim;? have become hardened and callous, and I heir feelings of shiimn and repentance have worn oft'.

"The i'cmnlo. prisoners' section of Lyttollon Gaol is Mich that one. almost despairs of reform. It is small and cramped, and altogether unsuitable for reformative treatment at the present time. Two young women sentenced for reformative treatment are. detained in LyttoJton Gaol. They live and move in the Kime small, confined yard with old offenders and depraved creature;. Such a state of things is essentially bad, as it is manifestly impossible to carry out prison reform under these conditions."