AUCKLAND'S GAOL.

NZ Truth, Issue 266, 30 July 1910, Page 4

AUCKLAND'S GAOL.

A Visit by "Truth's" Representative.

In view of certain complaints having been made about the management of Mount P3den Gaol and the lack of discipline obtaining there, "Truth's" Auckland representative paid a visit of inspection a few days ago, and was courtteousiy treated ;by the Gaoler-in-Chief, who permitted him to inspect the environments and to converse with a number of the confmees. The impressions of this journal's representative are appended.

Mount JBden gaol is a comparatively large one, and principally consists of an old and a new section, the latter being built entirely of roughly hewn stone, tho old section being merely wood. The gaol naturally is surrounded by a stone wall — quite a "rampart— some 12 feet high. The new section was built by prison labor. In one division of this section is the prison chapel, a cross-way from jtbe female division leading into it on that side. The chapel contains seating accommodation, pulpit, organ, altar, and everything well finished and ordered, which, indeed, may be said of the gaol m general regarding all its appointments. On the western side of the main new building is a beautifully laid out and well kept exercise ground, which comprises the best part of two acres. In the north-western corner are the invisible graves of those who have paid the penalty with their lives. There are no underground cells m this gaol. A very commodious kitchen is just about finished m the new division. Libraries are met with m various parts of the gaol ; a long corridor provides a hair cutting saloon. The female division (situate m the new part) is a credit to the authorities. A matron and a sub-matron have charge here— under the supervision of the Governor, of couise. Throughout the whole gaol great discretion is used m keeping the various classes of criminals apart from association.- Taking the native population of the Dominion into consideration, there appears to be an abnormal number of Maoris who find their way into gaol, several being m the female division, which only includes a list of 22 all toW. The Maori convicts m the male division have sleeping apartments entirely to themselves. First offenders are separated from the older order of criminals ; those merely toefel on committal arc not allowed to associate with convicts, and exercise m their own yards. The gaol throughout is fairly well ventilated, and gas is provided up to a certain hour m the new part, but lights at night m the old wooden building arc not allowed. That section will m time bo supplanted. In the meantime a little more fight might be afforded. It is not a question of making criminals comfortable,; darkness tends to depress the mind, and if any mental deterioration of the criminal mind can be avoided, it should be. The fact; must not be inferred that even these cells are badly lighted m summer ■time, but during the winter months it is a very long night. Out of 300 prisoners, only , " one imade a complaint. This was quite a young man doing three months for theft. He was on solitary parade for refusing to work. The prisoner, however, said he was put at too hard a job, that lie had an injured arm, and that he was quite willing to work at anything ho could do. Each prisoner is allowed five Wankets, nunrbers of which were minutely examined. I

The prisoners were repeatedly asked if they had any complaints to make, and not m the presence of the gaoler and justices, and replied, "No." Judging on what was practically a surprise visit, if a convict goes to Mount Eden and behaves himself he will get through his teran very comfortably ; but the responsibility of the custody of 300 prisoners is a rather Jargc order, and many prisoners actually make the rod for their own backs. Discipline In such institutions must he maintained ; but, if Mr Poyntou errs at all, it possibly is on tli» side of leniency, that is, judging by visits paW to other gaols m the Dominion. Associated with the Gaoler-in-Chief are ;sfi warders. Dr. Murray is now chief medical officer, and Mr T. White, J.P., one ot the Visiting Justices, takes a keen interest m gaol matters, and 3s unquestionably the right man m the right position.