FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 12

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

APPLIED TO PRISONS

DECREASE IN INMATES

IDLE MACHINERY

An announcement that the 40-hour week was in operation in the prisons was made by the Minister of Justice (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) last night. The Minister also stated that the prison population today was the lowest for a quarter of a century.

Mr. Mason said that the total number of prisoners was about 880, as compared with the previous lowest figure of 86C at the end of 1912. As a result, some of the machines were idle for lack of hands, and the Minister stated that it might be also necessary to close the gravel pit at Paparua, in Canterbury. The present total included all classes of prisoners, irrespective of the term of imprisonment. In Great Britain for example, offenders were not classed as prisoners unless the period of their detention exceeded four days. New Zealand had no such refinement of classification. A sentence of twentyfour hours sufficed for inclusion in the list of prisoners. The New Zealand system of computation was a simple one, but sometimes, in comparison, it worked out to the disadvantage of the Dominion. "I would not care to be dogmatic about the reason for the sharp and welcome decline in our prison population, stated Mr. Mason. "Crime statistics are peculiar things, and it might be rash to assert that the cause is wholly due to better times. For instance, during the first part of the depression our prison population steadily increased, but at the peak of the slump a decrease set in, and has been maintained ever since. Whatever the reason, the results j are appreciable. I "CAUSING BOTHER." "It may seem an odd thing to say, but-it is a fact that the decrease m the population of our gaols is causing quite a lot of bother," said Mr. Mason. "We are having difficulty in keeping our gaol factory machinery and quarry plant going. At Mount Eden, for example, one of the three quarry machines is idle, which means a considerable reduction in the output of road metal A somewhat similar condition obtains at the Paparua prison. There the majority of prisoners are employed on a farm of about 600 acres, but some time ..ago it was necessary to open a gravel pit for the employment of the increased number of prisoners. Today, however, the number of prisoners is so much lower that it maybe necessary to close the gravel pit and 'concentrate on farm work. The 40-hour week is in operation throughout all our prison industries. This however, will not be permitted to affect the earnings of the prisoners and deprive dependants of their weekly allowances. Indeed, the Government has decided to increase the rates next financial year so that the prisoners' dependants will actually receive more money each week. Under the present system dependants are allowed up to 22s a week. Instead -of awarding prisoners six marks daily for their work, they will be given eight i marks, and this will increase the payiment to dependants from 22s to 2Cs 8d a week, v Of course, the prisoners have- to earn the money." RANGE OP WORK. The Minister explained that prison work covered a fairly wide range, varying from light to hard labour, although the term "hard labour" was only relative. In addition to market | gardening, quarrying, and road con- j structibn in the central district of the i North Island, the men were employed on the manufacture of mail bags, satchels, and boots. Women did lighter work such as sewing, mending, and \ cooking. In some of the gaols the prisoners manufactured sandsoap- and floor polish. Most of the prison products were used in institutions. At Mount Crawford prison, which is merely a place of temporary detention for prisoners awaiting trial, all the printing for the Prisons Department is done. Referring to the normal trades and ■occupations of prisoners, the Minister said there was no dearth of artisans and skilled workers. "In fact," he added, "all the talents are represented in our gaols." LISTENING-IN. Most prisoners have now the benefits of the radio broadcasting service. Radio sets have been installed in a considerable number of prisons, and it will not be long before all have been so equipped. Some difficulties, however, have been experienced , about the ,use. of loudspeakers. In the gaols where the walls are exceptionally thick, as in Mount Eden, which is New Zealand's strongest prison and therefore accommodates the most dangerous types of prisoners and longsentenced criminals, a general radio service is not practicable. The Minister said that this question was being examined, particularly at Mount Eden, and a different system probably would be evolved. "After all," added Mr. Mason, "a prisoner is a human being."

Commenting on the worl of the Borstal Institution for delinquent girls at Point Halswell, the Minister, said that results had been very good. The relapses were only about 14 per cent. This was an exceptionally good result considering the fact that many of the girls were sub-normal in the sense that they had not received the earlier, training enjoyed by other girls. The fine results were largely due to the women officers in charge, and also 'o the work of-the Women's Borstal Association whose members had shown sympathy and common sense in their advice and activity on behalf of delinquent girls.