CONTROL OF PRISONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17089, 22 August 1917, Page 8

CONTROL OF PRISONS

CRITICISM BY MR WEBB

NEED FOR REFORM' URGED.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, August 21. The motion for the tabling of the prisons report to-day gave Mr P. C. Webb an opportunity of ventilating some grievances. He claimed that it was impossible for a person to enter Lyttelton Gaol and come out as good a man as he was when he went in. He averred that thero was no classification as far as Lyttelton and Wei lington were concerned. First offenders imprisoned for trivial offences were herded with criminals and even murderers. They might have separate sleeping quarters, but they worked together every day. At Lyttelton men on remand were eating bread left over by sentenced men in order to gratify their hunger. Men charged with sexual offences against little girls were being turned loose, who certainly should notbe. The State let them loose without taking any, Eteps to improve their minds. He urged a reduction in the hours of the warders, and hoped that only specially trained and fitted men for this work would be secured. Unless men were turned out better members of society than when thev went into prison, it would bo better for them not to be let out at all. The conduct of the Lyttelton Gaol reflected the greatest credit on the Minister in charge and the officials. The place was spotlessly clean and the food was sufficient, though not sufficient for men on remand, but no proper place had been provided in Lyttelton Gaol for medical treatment of men.

(Peb United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 21. In the course of his speech Mr Webb stated that when men were released from gaol the police immediately followed them up and warned employers against a man, with the result that he lost his billet.

, The Hon. Mr Hecdman said he did not believe that such a system existed.

Mr Webb declared that he was able to nrovo his statement, and he would give the Minister instances. He contended that the object of the prison system should be to turn men out bettor than they went in, and for this purpose he contended that there must be a complete sysem of classification of prisoners..

Mr Hornsby said he regretted that no better opportunity liad been given to the House to discuss'prison reform. Ho complimented the Minister on many reforms effected in recent years. Crime was to a great extent a disease, and what was wanted was improved environment and, in extreme oases, sterilisation.