PRISON CAMP

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25050, 14 November 1944, Page 6

PRISON CAMP

CONDITIONS AT HAUTU VALUE OF THE SYSTEM (O.C) ROTORUA,>. Monday An inspection of the prison camp at Hautu, in the basin of the Tongariro River, a few miles from the southern shores of.Lake Taupo. has been piado by a representative of the Hebald. The camp was established 24 years ago and today embraces an area of more than ,4000 acres of farm land in various stages *o£ development. Results appear to be a thorough endorsement of the value of the prison camp system and of the recent remarks of Mr' Justice Fair commending it. The man who. 24 years ago, was given the dual task of warden of the prison and pioneer of the wilderness was Mr T. Banks. Ho is still there. He has a staff of eight officers and the capacity of the camp is 52 prisoners. Appearance of the Gamp

Save for its locks and bars, the institution is scarcely distinguishable from scores of other work camps in the country. On two sides of a grasscovered and spacious quadrangle are the huts and offices, flanked by a block containing the bakery, kitchen, laundry and wash-house. Although everything is severely practical, the camp is as neat as a pin. Compared with other establishments set up more recently for detention purposes, it can be said that the cost of the Hautu camp to the taxpayer, apart from salaries, has been practically negligible. All the buildings were erected by prison labour_ from unconsidered short lengths of timber from the mills, arid the internal fittings of the huts are equally inexpensive. Cells are all of the same size. Bft by 6ft. They are lined and contain the regulation bunk, corner-fitted table and shelves; There is electric light, with the switches outside. Work Given Prisoners

With the exception of those assigned regular camp duties, the prisoners—most of them young men —work on the farm. The stock includes a herd of 52 cows, an average of 90 weaner pigs, and numbers of horses, sheep and goats. Nine men are trapping rabbits, which have become a menace, and they are getting 120 skins a day. The skins, as well as the cream, wool and surplus vegetables from the farm, are all marketed. The rabbits are cooked for the pips. The same diet scale is provided for the officers and prisoners. There is no doubt about its adequacy, and its variety appears to be better than the average city housewife can provide in these days of wartime marketing. Punishment and Discipline

Provision is necessarily made for punishment. There is a "solitary" cell, where men are placed on bread and water, but this, it is stated, is seldom used. Stopping such a privilege as the issue of tobacco is generally the only step needed to ensure obedience to rules. These are strictly applied and readily enforced, and it is this easy control of men who are in the open during the hours of daylight and in confinement at night that raises the question why the prison camp system cannot be extended. The.exercise of discipline is not obvious. and its more or less unobtrusive presence conveys the impression of a voluntary discipline which makes for the effective control* and efficient working of the" camp. The men are obviously as contented as possible in a prison camp, and they are alert and keen about their jobs. Mr Banks' enthusiasm for farming is reflected in the pride which the men take in whatever work they do. Help Alter Discharge

Speaking of tho care of prisoners and individuals, Mr Banks expressed the view that approaching a man while he was serving his term was for the most part futile. In the camp the men were under discipline and understood what it meant. Ho.we'ver, the previous associations and surroundings of numbers of them were deplorable and it was after their release that help of real value could be given, to enable them to carry out the resolves that they had made to live reputable lives in future. The class of prisoners who would benefit most by after-supervision were those whose appearance in Court could be traced from the neglect, overindulgence or evil example of their parents. Those guilty of crimes of impulse made the best prisoners and they were much less likely to return for a subsequent sentence than the irresponsibles, who ahvavs left the camp with the best intentions. and perhaps returned in a matter of days as the result of another stupid offence. SPORTSMAN'S DEATH COLLAPSED PLAYING TENNIS (0.C.) • GISBORXE. Monday A prominent Poverty Bay sportsman, Mr Francis Granville Sharp, aged 65, collapsed while playing tennis on Saturday and died in the Cook Hospital yesterday. He was the fourth son of Mr Justice Sharp, of the Madras Civil Service, and came to New Zealand at .the age of 16 as a farming cadet, later entering business as a land and estate agent. Pie served in the South African War. Mr Sharp represented Poverty Bay in both soccer and cricket and was a prominent tennis player. He is survived by his wife and a family of seven.

RADIOLOGIST APPOINTED A medical officer at present serving overseas with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Captain D. W. Urquhart, formerly of Wellington, has been appointed assistant radiologist at the Auckland Hospital by the Auckland Hospital Board, subject to the approval of the Minister of Health, at a salary of £IOOO a year, rising to £I2OO. Before going overseas, Captain Urquhart was a resident medical officer at the Wellington Hospital. He has served as a radiologist at army hospitals both in North Africa and Italy. In August last Miss Kathleen Abbott, a New Zealander now in Sheffield, England, was appointed to this post, but the board has received advice that she is unable to accept it.