OUR PRISONS.

Lake County Press, Issue 974, 8 August 1901, Page 2

OUR PRISONS.

[From the Evening Star’s Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 1. In liis annual prisons report Inspector Hume says, as regards new buildings and alterations for the aecomrhodation of prisoners, the Terrace Gaol, Wellington, is the one that requires most attention, as the sanitary arrangements are the only part of it that can be called up to date. Up to last year it was intended that the new prison at Mount Cook should take the place of the. Terrace, but as that idea lias now been abandoned, it becomes an absolute necessity that either the extensive alterations required at the Terrace to make it a thoroughly serviceable and up-to-date prison, should be taken in hand or some other locality be selected for the local prison. With the exception of introducing the electric light, a drainage system, and a proper tire-extinguishing apparatus, very little money has been expended on the buildings since the Mounk Cook Prison was commenced. It is thought that there is suflicient ground in the Terrace site to admit of the necessary alterations being carried out. New gaolers’ houses are badly wanted at Wellington and Dunedin, and at Napier a boundary wall is much required. The stone for this wall is now being got from the prison quarry, and is being got ready with prison labor; so it is hoped that it will not be long before the building commences. A new departure has been made in connection with this year’s report by publishing extracts from the annual reports of the various gaolers, in accordance with the expressed wishes of many members of (he House of Representatives during last session. The establishment of a tree-planting prison at Waiotapu (twenty-three miles from Rotorua, an

the Galatea and Taupe* roads) is approvingly referred to by Inspector Hume. The prisoners selected for this work are oil serving their first offences, and none have been convicted of immoral or indecent offences. Of course the experiment has not yet been sufficiently long established to say how it will work out, bub so far th« conduct of the prisoners has been exemplary, and the Forest Department, for whom the men are working, report thatthey are doing the work quite as well as free men. There is a total of twenty-five prisoners and four officers, who are accommodated in huts similar to those used by the railway gangers —four in a but. The cost of maintenance will, of course, be considerably higher than in the towns, but if the desired effect of keeping these better class of prisoners away from the habitual criminals, and thereby endeavoring to give them a chance of reforming, is taken advantage of by them, the extra cost will be money rvell expended. Gaoler Phillips, in the course of a lengthy report, says : “ Many offences were brought to the visiting justices’ notice, and dismissed with a caution, the caution only not always adding to the efficiency of the discipline of the orison. I again suggest that gaolers should have some power to inflict minor punishments without having to call in a visiting justice to deal with trifling offences, but yet such offences as should not in the interest of discipline be passed over. If gaolers cannot be trusted for any necessary duties incidental to their position they should be retired, and someone else appointed that can be trusted. With a monthly (or weekly, if considered necessary) return of all minor punishments inflicted by the gaoler to the Inspector, it could easily be seen if any shadow of wrong was being* done ; whilst it should be iemembered that the prisoner has always a right of appeal to a visiting justice or inspector. If prisons are to be deterrant, a wilful or careless act of wrong-doing by a prisoner should not be passed by without a report! being rendered to the gaoler; and no reported offender, after having been duly cautioned, should escape being dealt with, and for a third offence (should such occur) the services of a visiting justice might be necessary. The conduct of the officers of the prison is undoubtedly good, especially as regards sobriety and regularity of attendance; but I cannot say as much regarding their zeal and efficiency. I do not refer to their ability, either physically or mentally, but there seems to be lacking in some of them a desire to do their duty thoroughly, a manifest desire to be off duty, and a spirit of indifference regarding the duties and who shall do them, so long as they can get off duty'. Effective discipline is checked by there being no means of dealing with an officer who. say, is neglectful or wanting energy in his duties, slovenly in uniform or attire, or whose accoutrements are not in good order, etc.,'except by reporting him to the visiting justices and inspector for misconduct. In fact the gaoler has no power except to talk to a warder or report him as if the offence were serious, thus causing the record of service to be filled up with a list of trilling offences, to the detriment of the warder concerned, and which might effectually bar his progress in the service. For example, some time ago some of the warders frequently came a little late for duty, which was detrimental to discipline. 1 cautioned them, stating that it could not be allowed, and that the next warder coming late for duty would be reported. It happened, and to a good, zealous officer; but I had to keep my word, and reported the case, explaining the circumstances ro the visiting justices accordingly, as, say, five minutes late for duty. A fine of 6d and a caution from them would have met the case.”