PRISON CONDITIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9738, 14 August 1917, Page 5

PRISON CONDITIONS

QUESTION OF CLASSIFICATION ABSENCE OF FATS IN PIUSON FAKE. A pretty little controversy, resulting in a wager, was raised by Mr I'. LWebb, M.P., in his speech _ at the King’s Theatre, on Sunday night. Air Webb averred that there is no claasifiontion in the prisons at the present time; hardened criminals were mixed with first offenders. This was contradicted by a man in the audience—who gave the ex-prisoner the lie direct. Thereupon Air Webb offered to pay £lO to bis critic, to bo used as ho liked if he could find any trace ot classification in the prisons at Wetlinoton or Lyttelton. On the other hand if ho could not, he was to hand over £lO to Mr Webb for the benefit of the dependents of the imprisoned Labour men. The wager was accepted on those conditions. Both men declare that they are confident of winning the wager. , Air Webb further explains that ho did not, an reported, declare that the colls were dirty. On the contrary, the colls, from the point of view of cleanliness, are unexceptionable, and reflect credit on the authorities. As regards butter, the complaint was not as to its quality but on account of its entire absence. Hence the use- of boot grease. , Butter and fats were lacking in the prison faro, and the prisoners craved for them. Fats, in fact, seemed to bo. as scarce in Lyttelton prison os they aro in Germany. (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. To the Editor “N.Z. Times.’' Sir, —Under the headline, “Prison Conditions —As Seen from the Inside”—you give considerable prominence to Mr Webb- Ho is reported to say that: “Tho food was wretched, the clothing insufficient, and the cells dirty.” Sir, that statement is false. Comparatively speaking, it is true. But does Air Webb suppose that tho State ought to feed and clothe criminals more than is necessary to keep them in good health ? Does ho not know r that a prison is a place of punishment for those who defy the sovereign will of tho peojile? Does he wish convicts to have tho comforts of lawabiding citizens? It is not the duty of the authorities “to bring out that little good that is in everyone.” That is tho supremo duty of the individual, in or out of gaol. “Lot eaoh man work out his own salvation.” Tho treatment of the prisoner depends entirely on himself. If he obeys the regulations, all is well. If ho acts the fool, or prison lawyer, trouble follows. I had the honour to be a guest of His Majesty tho King. 1 found everything very good for tho purpose that gaols are provided for. Tho food was wholesome and sufficient. Clothing, warm' and comfortable, cleanliness everywhere a conspicuous feature. Warders sympathetic—provided prisoner did not cause trouble by breaking regulations. Mr Webb js playing to the gallery when ho states that “men on remand are treated worse than criminals.” As usual he is seeking the limelight. Prison reform is heyond tho capacity of Mr Webb or any other man who has not an inner knowledge of all sorts and conditions of men. When you have a Minister for Justice who is possessed of that wisdom, reform will toko place. Until then reputed statesmen will only tinker with- the subject, and do more harm than good. Sir Hebert Btout said: “A criminal is a fool." I say tho man who persists in his folly .jb contemptible.—l am, etc., STURROOK ROBBIE.