THE PRISON SYSTEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 6

THE PRISON SYSTEM

Sir,—lt is necessary to remember, In studying Sir Hubert Ostler's apologia concerning our prison system, that membership of the Prisons Board does not bring him into constant and direct contact with prison conditions. The revelations of inadequacies in the system made by Dr McMillan at a public meeting sponsored by this branch of the Howard League are not refuted, but rather are substantiated by Sir Hubert’s published statement. Unfortunately, Dr McMillan’s disclosures are buttressed by abundant information from other sources.—We are, etc., Dunedin Branch, Howard League for Penal Reform. November 15.

Sir,—l should like to make some comments on Sir Hubert Ostler’s defence of the prison system in your issue of Saturday Unfortunately, departmental administrators tend to regard criticism of the system they administer, no matter how well informed or constructive it may be, as “ uninformed," “ emotional,” and " misguided." This attitude is particularly noticeable when it is a question of penal administration. Consequently, the smallest reform has to be fought for tooth and nail against embattled conservatism and complacency. Sir Hubert is not, I hope, a supporter of totalitarianism. He would agree, as would anyone who really believes in the principles of democracy, that an enlightened public interest is the best—in fact, the only—means of ensuring that the penal legislation and administration of a country shall keep up with or—shall I say?—not lag too far behind, the advancing social consciousness. And that interest can only be enlightened by hearing other points of view as well as the official. The backwardness of the French penal system is due, according to those pioneers who are endeavouring to stimulate interest in its reform, almost entirely to public apathy on the matter. New Zealand, a small country without the handicap of a large criminal class, should be able to lead the world in progressive penal reform, but this is only possible if there is sufficient public interest to support such reformers as Dr McMillan.—l am, etc., M. B. Sir, —In reply to Dr McMillan’s criticism of our prison system there appeared in Saturday’s Daily Times a long statement by an ex-judge who appears to be quite satisfied with the conditions in our prisons—conditions which Dr McMillan, in his efforts to assist the underdog, is trying to improve. At the outset let me say that the ex-judge’s remarks upon Dr McMillan’s reforms—an apple a week, etc. —are too paltry to merit further comment than that they give us an indication of the mental processes of the man who made them. The statement that prisoners in the Dunedin Gaol receive the same food as the constables comes as a rude shock. I had been informed that for breakfast they received a small bowl of porridge, with bread, butter, and tea, and that for the remaining meals stew made its regular appearance. I am sure I have been misinformed, for no misleading statements need be expected from the ex-judge. I trust that Dr McMillan will continue his efforts, not to make prisons places ’’ where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest,” but places where the inmates, with all their fallings, will be treated as human beings by human beings.—l am, etc., Square Deal.