COURT HOODWINKED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20656, 30 August 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

COURT HOODWINKED.

A COMEDY IN PARIS. The " presidio modelo " or model prison at. Isle of J'ines, Cul>a, is well named. Many wardens and prison hoards in the I niled States could well afford to see how Cuh,i maintains this prison for 2800 men. The live buildings housing these men are of unique con.si ruction, circular in design. Each cell opens into a court and the air is always fresh and pure as a large window allows the sunlight in each cell some-time during the - day. Modern sanitation facilities, a cot and chair are Ihe furnishings in each cell, which contains only one man.

No guards are found inside the buildings. The prisoners govern themselves. Whenever a prisoner breaks a rule, an investigator is selected by the prisoners from among themselves to investigate and report to a jury of live prisoners, who try the case and report lo tho warden, Captain Coslello. A wall about, three feet high surrounds the prison. If any prisoner attempts to escape ho is shot without warning. There is no pampering nor prisoners' aid societies. A school is maintained, but altendance is not compulsory. The prisoners make all I heir own clothes and shoes, raise all foodstuffs and build additional prison sections as needed.

It costs the Government 29 cents a day to feed each prisoner. Breakfast at 5 a.m. consists of bread and coffee. The mid-day meal at 11 usually contains one fresh vegetable, a thick porridge, bread and coffee. Supper is about the same with meat substituted for the porridge. The whole atmosphere of this prison is more like a training school than a prison.