THE PRISON SYSTEM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 258, 29 September 1945, Page 3

THE PRISON SYSTEM

DISCIPLINE ESSENTIAL. PUNISHMENT CRITICISED. (Press Assn) WELLINGTON, Sept. 29 Further progress was made with the Estimates in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. During the discussion on the vote for the Department of Justice and Prisons Mr R. M. Algio (Nat., Renuiera) sought information as to the fate of the magisterial petition presented to Parliament in August, 1944, requiring the elimination of a very had practice by which certain Magistrates were given preferment in outside positions not connected with their official duties.

Mr'C.G. Harker (Nat., Waipawa) asked what had been done to reduce the high percentage of escapes by Borstal detainees. It was not so much the expense involved in recapturing them, but the damage and crimes they committed while they were at large. Mr G. R. Herron (Nat., Awarua) asked what more could be done to improve the supervision of the lnvnrcargill Borstal Institution to prevent escapes. He also asked if it were not possible to keep the institution purely for Borstal cases. Mr H. T. Morton (Nat., Waitemata) asked for an increased vote for the Auckland Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. He also considered that there should be some reform of the prison system in New Zealand, which was behind that of other countries. The Minister in Charge of Prisons (MiMason) seemed reluctant to permit any criticism of the prison system, regarding it as sacrosanct. Mr Morton said that when the men in the Auckland prison were kept in solitary confinement i for 16 hours daily it indicated tliat the whole . system could be improved. Mr F. Langstone (Lab., AVaimarino) said solitary confinement was likely to have an effect just the opposite of reforming men. It was likely to send a man out of prison a worse man than when he went in.

Mr Mason said that more work could be done by aid to prisoners than by depreciatory remarks about prison officers, and lie believed that the aid societies were preforming a valuable task. Regarding Borstal institutions, it was inherent in their nature that there should be some escapes. As far as Invercargill was concerned, there was a bad period a while ago, but there had been an improvement in the last two years. A minimum number of older prisoners were associated with the institution, but they were only men with short sentences and they did not mix with thti Borstal boys at all. MAGISTRATES' SALARIES.

Mr Mason said the remuneration of Magistrates was yui on a better oasis. The Government was working toward the end asiied for by- tue petitioners. 11 tliere was not a sum oa the Main Estimates for the purpose a vote would be on the Supplementary Estimates. As far as any special woriv was concerned, it would be subject to an administrative arrangement. Some work was by fixed arrangement and some time must elapse before it ran out. % Mr W. T. Anderton (Lab., Eden), criticised the treatment of prisoners by doctors, who, he alleged, regarded them as prisoners, not as patients. He considered the prisons should be able to call on any doctor at any time. Mr A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill), asked the Minister if he could give an assurance that steps would be taken to abolish solitary confinement, which was not conducive to good behaviour. It had a detrimental effect on the prisoners' social outlook. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland): What would you suggest? Mr Richards suggested an increased sentence if the prisoner was serving a term of 12 months. Mr Holland: If he still misbehaves, what then?

Mr Richards replied that he was not prepared to take the matter further at such short notice.

'Mr Mason, replying, sa'd there must be some discipline in prison and he could not overlook the feelings of the warders if they were called on to withstand unlimited provocation. He could not see an alternative to the punishment mentioned, which was not solitary confinement, however. Prisoners were exercised and had plenty of fresh air though, if refractory, they were not permitted to associate with the other prisoners. A great deal had been done to maintain the efficiency of the warders by examination and instruction of a proper understanding of the prisoners. He sympathised with the suggestion that the warders should be relieved of the jobs imposed by manpower direction, and added that if a warder sought a better outside job this would be facilitated. The Minister denied that the first Borstal offenders weft allowed to mix with the old offenders. He knew that there was an impression that innocent young people who had not offended badly were sent to Borstal, but. nevertheless, he assured the House that some of the Borstal inmates were pretty desperate characters. The official view was that it was not easv to convert the offenders into gord citizens. Those who had not seriously offended were sent to Education Dement institutions.

The vote was passed, also a vote of £10,087 for the Crown Law Office.