WHOLESOME PRISONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 14

WHOLESOME PRISONS.

Sir, —The almost, complete absence of evening lectures and classes in our prisons is referred to by "Medico" in Saturday's issue. As one of those who arc working in (he direction of educational opportunities for prisoners, 1 should bo grateful if you would give publicity to the. following facts. Sinco (lie end of 1927 tho Workers' Educational Association has provided one lecture, once a month at Mount Eden prison. These have been given voluntarily bv expert tutors, covering a wido variety of subjects. The audience has numbered from 150 to 200 prisoners. Alter tho first few months tho experiment of allowing questions and discussion by prisoners was sanctioned. 'lbis has proved an immense success, the keenness and standard of discussion being as high as anything I have seen in tho W.E.A. proper. The success of the above suggested that an experimental W.E.A. class might bo formed to meet weekly for genuine tutorial work, say, in economics. Tho class would bo limited to 30 men, and membership could be offered to suitable men as a privilege. This suggestion lias so far been vetoed, chiefly on the ground of supervisions! expense. But if the English practice were iollowed, no such expense would arise. In a recent year thern were in England 600 prison classes, attended by 9300 prisoners. The tutors gave their services voluntarily, and this was a special factor in tho good eifects produced. No prison officers arc present at these classes. Educational advisors are appointed to each of tho 29 principal English prisons. Theso include men of the standing of Sir Michael Sadler, (Master of University College. Oxford), and Professor T. P. Nunn (Principal of London Training College. These facts are, I think, of interest to all who have the problem of penal reform at heart. Both tho Howard League and tho W.E.A. ave alive to the importance of this problem, and aro working in the direction indicated. If our prisons are to bo of any use beyond putting out of sight and out of mind members of society who are regarded as a nuisance to it. then the. provision of such classes and such contact with normal community life must be vigorously pursued as ono of tho most hopeful avenues of reform. N. M. Richmond.