HELPING THE PRISONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18534, 19 October 1923, Page 9

HELPING THE PRISONER.

mtV eden GAOL CHANGES.

WOMEN'S NEW QUARTERS.

CUBICLES , REPLACE CELLS.

Dr. ' Johnson is reported to have" said that no man would think of going to sea if he could only manage to get himself locked up 'in prison absurd remark, truly, i yet one which indicated ' that ;he realised • that sea-life and prison life ; both held their own peculiar discomforts. Strangely enough, there are few phases of existence* in which ; during the past 25 years there have been more marked improvements than in seafaring and prison life. ... i. :'.•■>■ ;,•,*, -,:'•■:.'" ■'''.•'. : -;-v

A striking contrast of the old and new prison systems is supplied by the change now taking place in Mount Eden gaol in regard to the accommodation allotted to women. When the gaol was built many years ago no difference was thought of in regard to the accommodation for the two sexes. Cells for each was the order of the day, and the same arrangements as to cell fittings and hammocks were carried out. ." •;;,,•■? '.•■'■■..'

But now the word "cell" is practically passing out of existence, so far as women are concerned, its place being taken \by the term "cubicle." "The row of new" cubicles at Mount Eden is practically ready for occupation, and in about a fortnight the women prisoners will bid adieu to their old stone-walled accommodation in the main prison building, and will be transferred to their new and "dainty"— word is a fit one quarters.

Old and New Quarters. Mr. M. Hawkins, inspector of prisons, is in Auckland for his quarterly official visit to Mount Eden gaol, and yesterday a Heeald representative was permitted to accompany him through the women's old and new quarters. Two feet of solid masonry separate the old from the new and as one passes from the environment of stone walls and asphalt floors into the brightness of the white-painted cubicles, there comes a realisation of what prison reform, on humane lines, really stands for. Each cubic?! measures 10ft. by Bft., and is furnished with a wooden bedstead, wardrobe, movable table, and mirror. The floor will be stained, and there will be a small bedside rug. For the windows, small drawn-down blinds and casement curtains are provided. Each little room has its own electric light.- Each bedstead lias a wire-woven spring and a horsehair mattress, and is complete with blankets, sheets, pillows, and even pillowshams. .There is no thought of pandering in the provision of these comforts. Deliberately, and after long consideration, are they provided, so that the surroundings may tend to uplift the thoughts and aspirations of the woman prisoner. _ It is, in fact, an indication that the prison authorities appreciate how large a part environment plays in the work of reforming the. female offender. The punitive element still remains, for the loss of liberty, the enforcing of discipline, and the rigid adherence to %et rules and hours are themselves a very real punishment. ', . Rewards for Good Conduct. In -the old quarters there were cells for 30 women, but accommodation in the new building is provided for only 24. As a matter Of fact, the average number of women serving sentence' is 15. -the wood used in the building has been brought from the Prison Departments sawmill at Waimarino, while the roof tiles have been made in the gaol. The internal fittings and furniture have been made by prison labour. .■, The latest reformative methods will vbe in vogue in the new quarters, whereby good conduct and industry will gain for the prisoner special privileges: and the retention of these privileges will depend) upon • a continuance of good behaviour and attention to duty. One 1 privilege which all prisoners value, is the permission to have their meals in association with others in a- common dining room. Yet another is the putting back of the locking-up time. When a woman, by her good behaviour, has attained to a certain grade, the kev is not turned in her cnbicle s door at 5.30 p.m., but that operation is postponed to 8.30 p.m. • Inducement to Reform. The past decade has witnessed some remarkable changes in prison management, and in no respect is this more apparent than in the sustained effort of the Prisons Department to afford to all offenders, mala and an opportunity of making, a fresh and satisfactory start in life.

■ At the Point Halswell reformatory for girls and young women, there are offenders from all parts of the Dominion. The inmates are kept entirely apart from older women, and are taucrht needlework, cookerv. fancy work, arid other useful accomplishments. A large dairy is attached to thfl institution; and about 30.cows are milked dailv. The girls are taught to milk and make butter. At .this reformatory, good conduct and indnstrv brintr s"re rewards in the wav of special privileges same privileges in fact, as are to become an 1 integral part of the system in the women's section of Mount Eden.