How Women Fare in Prison.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12163, 13 June 1925, Page 11

How Women Fare in Prison.

As I stood awaiting admission to Strangeways Gaol on a recent dull afternoon iuy mind was t nil of thoughts of the feelings of the woman convict-to-be as she hears those gates clang behind her, and says good-bye to liberty lor a spell. Two hours later I left with impressions which will not easily he eradicate cd. Foremost amongst them is a mental picture of an -fury creche —an adjunct of the prison hospital—where there are four bed;# for mothers and four or live tiny swinging cots with dainty blue bangings. In -the corner of the room is an enclosed playground containing many bent and broken toys and well-worn dolls. Not a very prison-like picture,- you say. Nevertheless, strange though it may seem, that was one of the things I saw. THE WOMEN’S CELLS The matron accompanied me into the inner courtyard and so to the re- , ceptiou room—a building completely , apart from the main prison, where women are received. In one portion particulars are taken, and any personal possessions the wo- , men may have are taken charge of, a receipt boing given. Thep the women prisoners enter a bathroom cubicle. , dress again in the uniform of the . prison, and pass on to be weighed and medically examined before entering the actual prison. The women’s section of the prison is approached from the reception room , by means of a covered pathway. There are a dozen balconies in three tiers, leading north, south, east, and west, each containing about eight cells, and so arranged that every cell is visible from one central point. Tim central ' hall, which contains a table and plants, is used for concerts, and at the end of each row of cells there is a room occupied by an officer. RETAINING SELF-RESPECT The younger- girls have a balcony to themselves, as have the first offenders. The habitual criminals are housed in another section, whilst those who are “untried” are also kept apart. These may, whilst awaiting trial, earn money 'up to 5s per week if they so desire. Prisoners who require to be kept under observation 1 are on another balcony, the aged on another, and the minor offenders again on another. The younger prisoners are allowed to have photographs in their cells, and I saw numerous pictures of parents, brothers and sisters and kiddies, framed in brown paper. This class of prisoner is also allowed to have a mirror in her cell. A young woman with a home photograph before her and a mirror may still retain her self-Tespect. Leading from the middle of the hall is the schoolroom, where each morning for about an hour inmates of from 16 to 25 years—or older, according to the discretion of the chaplain—receive tuition in reading, writing, arithmetic, home management, or domestic hygiene. THE BIG DIFFERENCE Home management and domestic hygiene! The Home Office authorities, you see, hope and trust that these young wrongdoers, who so early know the prison Ijfe, may when they go out into the world again become good wives and mothers. That is the big difference between prison as it was in the days of. the ineradicable taint, and prison as it is now. Contrary to popular imagination the cells are not always locked the inmates are out of them most of the day working on their allocated tasks. One girl I caw was making on a

Mothers allowed to take their Babies

Most of the accounts of life in gaol are written from the point of view of the inale prisoners.

But how do the women wrong-doers fare when they enter a penal establishment? It was with a view to answering this question that the Sunday Chronicle commissioned a ladv investigator to visit Strangeways Prison, Manchester, which has been the scene of so many grim dramas of the law.

knitting machine the brown jerseys worn by the convicts, and some with a distinctive white band around the waist were intended for the Borstal boys. Others were cutting opt and machining the unbleached calico bags used lor gold dust at the mint. A very pretty, wistful-looking girl was seated with an official making the uniforms for lady officeKS. She was of the second division t3 - pe. NO SENTIMENTALITY Conversation," strictly limited in range, of course, is to a certain extent permitted amongst these working parties, and nowhere did I detect that soul-killing restraint and seclusion ot which prison reformers are so prolific in discourse. The daily life of these convicted women is something like this: The first bell rings at 6.20 a.m., the second goes ten minutes later, the third at 6.40, and the ringing of the final one, at 6.45, means that everyone must be leady for the unlocking of the cell doors, which are kept fastened throughout the night. The following hour is set apart fr prisoners’ exercise, which may be merely waking, or drill and physical culture, under the direction of a trained exponent. At 8.10 the cell doors are fastened on their inmates for the breakfast period. Forty minutes are then allowed, during which time breakfast must be consumed and the cells cleaned and put into order for the day. Then the prisoners proceed to work—of to school and then work. IN THE HOSPITAL Normally the day’s work ends at 4.30, tea-time, after which the prisoners are allowed mutual association until 7 o’clock. From 7 o’clock until approaching 8 o’clock they spend in doing the things they desire. Prison authorities in these days work along' broad lines. They realise that iu dealing with convicted persons they have a human, although specialised, type to treat. It is if prison systems are to be successful, to try to reform the convict, apart from the question of punishment for wrongdoing. Once each month concerts, purely for entertainment purposes, are given in the prison. At more frequent intervals, however, there are lectures with an educational objective. But it is the prison hospital where one sees-the- ultra-humane element.- 1 never realised previously how beautifully hutoanitarianism and discipline could be combined. The wards are large and airy, and the central tables have dainty vases of flowers. The bed coverings are white, with large blue check counterpanes, and there is accommodation for mothers and babies. i THE DAILY ROUND Those mothers who, when convicted, have young babies, are allowed to bring them into prison with them and nurse them. The parent and child spend each night together, and whilst the mother is out following the daily routine, the child is carefully tended and amused until her return. Every attention procurable in an ordinary hospital is given to those who are ill, whilst every religious facility is at hand. Those in authority—in 1924, at any rate —are in constant touch with any suggestions or systems which, might prove conducive to the moral and physical well-being of those under their car 9, but anything which savours oL rank sentimentality or pampering must* he taboo, for, after .all, prison is not a reward of meritorious service. Strangeways is a proof that the two consideiations can be oombined.