OUR PRISONERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 119, 18 May 1909, Page 4

OUR PRISONERS.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT TREEPLANTING CAMPS. THE NEED FOR CLASSIFICATION. [press association.] AUCKLAND, May 18. The Hon. Dr Findlay received a deputation this morning from the Auckland Prisoners' Aid Society. The Rev. Mr Budd said that the Auckland Society assisted 200 prisoners each year. A reform in the prison' system was chiefly needed in the treatment of young men and boys. He advocated secular and religious instruction in gaols. Referring to treeplanting stations, Mr Budd urged the need for single cells, and complained of ("he lack of discipline and morality. Sunday was spent in a disgraceful way at Waiotapu, the men sporting, fighting, swearing and loafing all the day. In the homes there was. as much; harm, as good done, because of oft-convicted, women being placed besides young ; girls who had fallen.-,. to their first temptation. .' . Dr Findlay replied that the1 treatment ojf prisoners after leaving prison Ws of prime importance. He agreed that they .must steadily improve the system'of'.classification, and he hoped shortly to' separate first offenders from hardened Tcrimirials. ' On* the treeplantirig' stations the single cell system would be introduced, and. other improvements made. There had been five-thousand persons sent to gaol in New Zealand in the year, and the matter of dealing with the question on scientific1 principles would receive serious attention.