BLIND CONVICTS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1935, Page 6

BLIND CONVICTS

PLEASANT PRISON LIFE.

LONDON, January 20,

There are eight blind men in English prisons to-day. A lew years ago there was only one. A few months ago only four. They are treated just us other convicts. They have no special privileges except, choice of work and Braille books to re'ad. The stories of four have been told to a Sunday Express representedvo by ex-convicts who knew them. “Lanky” is six feet three inches—and is serving a comparatively short sentence in a Midland gaol. His work is making baskets. Like all blind prisoners, he was given a guide at first. In three weeks he was walking about by himself and had dispensed with his guide, lie is allowed to Iniy tobacco with the few shillings lie earns each mont.li from his baskets. “Sammy,” tall, wadi built, and fifty, knits socks <at Parklmrst. He became a petty criminal alder the blindness came. Before that he had been an honest working man. His fellowprisoners wear his socks. Arthur Price, a Welsh poultry farmer and recently reprieved child murderer, is not totally blind, but practically so. At St. Dunstan’s he became adept at making mats. In prison at Wormwood Scrubs lie makes them with quite eflieieney. “Pete” is perhaps tlie best craftsman of the eight, lie repairs shoes. Ho can also make shoe laces out of leather strands. He whistles at his work and is popular wijh everybody,