THE PRISON SYSTEM

Evening Star, Issue 25032, 26 November 1943, Page 5

THE PRISON SYSTEM

Sir. —1 sould like to inform " Birmingham " that Dr McMillan has never claimed that a prison should be primarily a rest homo, although one gentleman recently released no doubt found it not the worst of places, as it is reported his wine bill run to the modest sum of £4 a week. Personally, 1 have practised gruelling thrift all my life, yet have not readied the state of affluence of the gentleman aforesaid, although 1 can claim to have indulged in nothing stronger than health salts in my span of 60 years. Quite frankly I admit that is my own fault, having chosen a plebeian father and, not an hereditary landlord, which accounts for mv not being a participant in the £66,000,000 recently paid out for surrendering the claim to mining royalties. But, after all, 1 have much to be thankful for, as plain living and high thinking have kept mo entirely free from such distressing troubles as gout and phlebitis. This week I read of a very thrifty peasant interviewed by Mr Brailsford who supported a wife and two children on 6Jd per day of 10 hours without a break and his total assets were a ragged cotton loin cloth. He said, " See, sahib, I have not even a change." For information of presentday affairs 1 would advise " Birmingham " to read ' Shall Our Children Live or Die,' particularly page 60, by Gollancz, or, alternatively, the words of One who said many years ago: " Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy "; also a minor prophet of more modern times who, not forgetful of his own sliortcomings, could say: " O wad some power the giftie gie us, to see oorsels as itliers see. us."—l am. etc., November 26. " Glesca Keelie."