THE GAOL SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13325, 3 November 1906, Page 4

THE GAOL SYSTEM.

We have repeatedly supported Mr. Scverne in his periodic protests against the use of Mount Eden Gaol as a place to which any persons should be sent for medical treatment. As with the evils of all improper systems nobody is particularly to i blame, for the practice lias the sanci tion of many years—which is all that can be said on its behalf. The evidence at the inquest held yesterday I upon an unfortunate man whose only I offence was drunkenness, and who ■ died of pneumonia, while under reI mand in the gaol, should convince | even a Department of the necessity for drastic reform. If it is decided to send these eases to the gaol, then for the sake of common humanity the gaol ought to be provided with a suitable hospital and staff. But it is hardly possible that there can be any such deliberate intention. The simplest and most practical way would be for the Minister for Justice to instruct the magistracy to discontinue the practice and to order gaolers to report immediately any contravention of these instructions. If • special clet3ntion wards are required— they are required in all cities—they should be provided in a humane and scientific manner, where suitable attention can be given to their inmates. In any case, to continue the present system is every whit as bad as was the custom, long scourged out of every civilised country, of confining lunatics in Bridewells. Mi. McCiowan .lias not been able to keep criminals from coming | to the Exhibition, but there is nothing to prevent him from keeping sick men and women from being sent for treatment to gaol.