PRISONERS' AID

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1938, Page 11

PRISONERS' AID

SOCIETY'S ACTIVITIES ,

FEWER APPLICANTS '

The matter most outstanding in the annual report of the Dicharged Prisoners' Aid Society, which was to be presented at the meeting of the society this afternoon was the decrease reported in the number of applicants for assistance. The number of persons assisted, which is a proportionate number of those applying, decreased from 281 in 1937 to 213 in the year under review, and the amount spent in the granting of relief was £31 13s '6d less than last year. This is a reflection of better times, and also of the decrease in the prison population. One of the most disappointing features of the .work; tjas the- number of men who called more of less regularly after an absence rof one, three, four, or six months, which absence usually coincided with; a further :term of imprisonment. During the last few months this, to use a modern phrase, Magistrate's Court-Prison-D.P.A. Society axis, has been, checked by the Court's sending many of these men to the Island. For instance, a man who called in November, 1937, three times in January, 1938, in February and March, had not called since March 26, and this was typical of a small band of,such men.

As in the past, the State Placement Service and the Labour Department had been of great assistance, to the society in getting men speedily and satisfactorily settled in positions, on sustenance,, or on relief work. This prompt service on the., part of these Departments had eased the burden of the society to a considerable extent. The following interesting particulars were given regarding the variety of appeals that had been met:—Beds 110, meals 409, groceries supplied 28, clothes 52, boots 26, rent paid 24, fares paid 22, miscellaneous 35. In all, 218 persons were assisted. THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE. "An established need is the guiding principle in the granting of relief, says the report, "though this is also compounded with the element of merit in each case dealt with. The everpresent difficulty is to see that no real need is left unmet.. On the whole, the assistance given falls within the category, of well-worth-while service—a service that is a peculiar one for which the society assumes full and sole responsibility." The executive acknowledges with gratitude the assistance rendered by officers of the State Placement Service, Employment Bureau, Puckle Street, the board of trustees of the T. G. Macarthy Trust, and also the Minister of Internal Affairs for assistance and contributions made to the society during the year. The society also thanks the superintendents of the Mount Crawford and Wi Tako Prisons for their cooperation. The recognition given to the society's work by several local bodies is gratefully acknowledged.