BORSTAL INSTITUTES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 8, 4 October 1929, Page 5

BORSTAL INSTITUTES

AFTER-CARE OF GIRLS

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

The annual meeting of the Women s Borstall Association wus held yesterday afternoon in the Y.W.C.A. rooms. The patron, Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson, was present, and Dr. Platts-MillS presided. “It is found increasingly difficult to provide work for the inmates when they leave the institution, partly because of the general unemployment and partly because some of the girls are not so employable as those of earlier days.” stated the annual report. “The committee hns not failed to place any girl who Ims come to them, and the work has been extended to a number of those who ask for help although their time of probation hns ended, but the difficulties have been very considerable. The work of Miss Jean Begg, of Auckland, has been specially valuable, as she is thoroughly experienced, willing and kind, nnd has had no fewer than 13 girls to deal with in her city and district. “Eleven of the girls have married during the year. Thirty-eight girls in all have come under the care of the committee —two only have been returned to the institution. The unsatisfactory cases are those who are morally weak, and have come to either the Alexandra Maternity Home or else that of the Salvation Army. Two have been committed to Porirun Mental Hospital. Provision of Funds. “The committee has found the money provided by the Macarthy Trust invaluable, and hns endeavoured to augment the fund by means of entertainments for the purpose. The money disbursed has been for working materials for the girls; extra clothing before departure; fares in Cases where the girls had extra expense other than that paid by Government; fares and small sums to former girls who came in distressed circumstances; assistance to one ‘who was married and to unavoidable and undeserved distress; gifts nt Christmas to inmates, girls at Porirua. nnd ex-inmates; provision of infants' clothing and materials; small wedding gifts; lodgings. The committee has also given two parties, one after Christmas nnd another nt Easter.” Mrs. W. M. Page,' Mrs. R. Tait, and Mrs) P. Fraser had organised evening entertainments every Thursday at the Borstal Institute. A first-aid class was held by Dr. Sylvia Chapman, with Mrs. Gaby as demonstrator and Dr. PlattsMills examiner. Fourteen girls sat for the examination. Mrs. Coventry takes knitting classes on Thursday afternoons. Lodging for Girls. The report continued - “The question of lodging for girls either out of health or out of work has been several times discussed by the committee, it being felt an urgent matter that something should be done to prevent those in distress taking to the streets. The acting-chairman was given opportunity of discussing the matter with Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson (patroness and president), and the suggestion was made that the committee shotild try to get a room in a respectable house, with a capable and friendly hostess, who would house such girls when necessary,’ the remuneration to be a matter of arrangement. This matt’Or is now in process between the acting-chairman and a woman’s organisation, and it is hoped that some such accommodation will be forthcoming.”

Thanks were expressed to the Macarthy Trust, commercial travellers, Justices’ Association, Messrs. G. Silver, 11. Wilson, and Peterson, the Controller-General (Mr. Dallard), the inspector (Mr.-Mack-intosh), and to the associates . and all helpers in the work. The balance-sheet showed an expenditure of £BO.

Mr Dallard, in moving the adoption, of the report, said he was pleased to note, the success of the association during the year. The statistics showed that out of 34 girls only two had returned to the institution. The prison statistics showed that during four years 64 had passed through Point Halswell, and that only four had again been before the Court. The work had passed the experimental stage. It had always been felt that some form of after-care was essential to any prison reformatory system, and the association could feel.its work had good results.. The oninion of Dr. Healy, a great psychologist, was that more female than male delinquents could be classed as successes. Many cases at Point Halswell were bordering on feeble-minded-ness. It was hoped that soon the Mental Defecti' - es Board would have some means of dealing with these, but the majority of the girls confirmed Dr. Healy’s opinion, especially witji regard to successful marriages. Mr. Dallard referred to the work of Miss Jean Begg and also to the regular work done at the Borstal. It was a good thing for the girls t- know that there were people who took an interest in them. He also saij. the Department and association were deeply indebted to Iler Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson for the interest and help she hnd given to the work. He also thanked the acting-chairman, Mrs. Chatfield. for her work, and also Dr. PlattsMills. • , „ Miss Mary McLean, who seconded the adoption of'the report, described a visit paid by her to the boys’ Borstal at Rochester. England, where, she said, the work was carried out in au atmosphere more like a boys’ school than a prison. They were learning all kinds of trades, cfirpcutory. bootrnAkhi£« bhickstnithing', etc. The aim was to teach them to earn a good living whop they left the institution. Miss McLean also visited Feltham and the girls’ Borstal at Aylesbury, but did not think they had such a good spirit as Rochester. . Dr Platts-Mills spoke of the impending departure of Lady Alice Fergussmn. and expressed the great regret all felt at losing her. . .. Lady Alice Fergusson, in reply, said the remarks made were more than she deserved. Those who had done the work continuously ware deserving of nil prnise. She wad glad to have been able to help, and had greatly enjoyed her visits to Point Halswell, which had given her an insight of the need for the work, b e hoped to continue such work when she returned to England, and would always feel an interest in it.