PATRIOTISM IN GAOLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue XLIX, 4 January 1916, Page 2

PATRIOTISM IN GAOLS

PRISONERS' WAR WORK

REM ASKABLE RESULTS,

In the last idpott o£ the British peinal authorities, who state that t?]o tvar has produced a remarkable reduction ifl the number of -criminals, reference is made to the readiness with which prisoners have responded .to the demands 'made iijioii them for the production of wai' riUt-tgridl,- the total output of articles for \v(U' service having averaged over 5000 daily. The comptroller reports tllttt "The average output of labour pef inni-ate, per annum, was valued at £lB 3s K>r £2 9s 9di above the high valuation for the previous year. It is clear, therefore, that the prisoners never worked "harder no'r better «,{, industrial employment. The value of •grisofi/lAbotii' in connection with the manufacturing department;, reached the record-sum of £144.692."

At Liverpool a'remarkable result has been achieved by co-operation of officers and prisoners, in .the production 'of over. 87,000 articles in eight months. At Newcastle, it is reported, "it has been a delight, day by day, to watch the zealous industry of - both men and women. Idleness is unknown, and. applications for still more work have been frequent—prisoners regard the -extra- hm*rs and Sunday work as a privilege."t . At Pentonville the results have been most satisfactoi'y, and "everyone seemed to understand that he was not'/working because he had to do so, but because he was helping his country."- At Stafford all have worked Willingly,, especially the women, who in some cases "have had to be asked: to stop at 10 p.m." Men have frequently wofked from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., but no one.complained.

In consideration of the special efforts made by prisoners to complete the articles required by the Admiralty and- War Offices, it was. decided .that once a week •prisoners should be made acquainted: with the progress of the naval and." military operations. Tliis concession has been ve'ry greatly appreciated, and in the opinion of the governors has had an excellent effect in stimulating the earnest and patriotic desire, which has been very conspicuous among prisoners, to help in .the manufacture of war stores.