WORK IN PRISONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22821, 31 August 1937, Page 6

WORK IN PRISONS

REHABILITATION OF MEN ENGLISH SYSTEMS DISCUSSED Rehabilitation work among prisoners in English institutions and police methods adopted in England were dealt with in an address by the Rev. G. E. Moreton, secretary of the Auckland branch of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, at the luncheon meeting of the Auckland Rotary Club, held in Milne and Choyce's. Reception Hall yesterday. Mr. Moreton said English prison authorities were facing a tremendous problem, spending thousands of pounds annually in assisting discharged prisoners, whereas in New Zealand the Government granted only £IOO, and the Auckland society was required to raise about £IOOO annually. Speaking of visits to Maidstone Prison, in Kent, and Wormwood Scrubs Prison, Mr.. Moreton said lie was impressed with the psychological treatment of prisoners by speciallytrained stall's. The aim was to give men every opportunity of re-establish-ing themselves in the community, and an admirable spirit of trust was engendered. Old prison styles were rejected. and prisoners went about their tasks in collars antl tie?, "Scotland Yard "s oiua of the safety valves of London and the Empire,' said Mr. Moreton. "Its work combines prevention ;nrith detection of crime, and its recording office handles 35.000 cases a year. Scientific classifications greatly assist the work, and there is a museum attached to the Yard, in which there are many intrijcate gadgets used in a varietr or crimes. The whole system is one of which Britain has right to feel proud.