REFORMATORY PRISONS

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 15

REFORMATORY PRISONS

THE REGULATIONS. DAILY LIFE OF INMATES. " The Habitual Criminals and Offenders Act, 1906," is so often before the public as a measure likely to prove an effective restraint on crime that the regulations governing the reformatory prisons to be established for the treatment of habitual criminals (which appear 111 the Gazette) aro worthy of note. They arc as follow : 1. The ordinary prison regulations and general orders will apply, as far as practicable, to tho management, control, and discipline of the establishment generally, the term "manager"' being substituted for that of "gaoler" in every case. 2. There shall be a Consultative Committee for each reformatory prison, consisting of the stipendiary magistrate residing in the district in which the reformatory prison is situated (who shall visit the institution once at least in every month), the visiting justices, and the manager. The committee will be required to consider carefully the caee of each prisoner, lo deal v\ if h any specific matter referred to it, and to advise tho Minister thereon. The stipendiary magistrate shall preside at each meeting of the committee, and shall arrange for holding regular quarterly meetings and such extra meetings as may be found necessary. Two members shall form a quorum, and minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of each meeting. 3. At the regular meetings punishments which have taken placo since the last meeting shall be reported, together with particulars of marks and money awarded to each prisoner, result of appeals outstanding, requests in request book, and other necessary details of treatment.

4. Every prisoner shall be brought singly before the committee at their reguar meeting's to insure that no case is overlooked.

5. The stipendiary magistrate and visiting justices shall have the same power to hoar and determine complaints as in the case of ordinary prisoners under the Prisons Act, and may similarly direct punishment or otherwise deal with offenders ; but in cases of deprivation of marks the value of marks fined shall not exceed 10s.

6. At every visit the stipendiary magistrate and visiting justices, in company with the manager, shall consult with the various officers concerned respecting the industry, conduct, and progress of each prisoner; they shall carefully investigate any complaints made to them ; and, when necessary, furnish a report to the Minister or inspector. 7. The gaol surgeon will forward quarterly reports to the inspector respecting the condition of health, etc., of each prisoner, and give special attention to those on the lower dietary scale.

8. Every prisoner will have a separate cell, in which he will sleep, have his meals, and keep 1 such of his belongings as may be sanctioned by the manager. 9. Indulgences will be granted on account of good conduct and industry, and such indulgences will include postage stamps, tea, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, cheese, fish, fruit, newspapers, pipos, butter, jam, milk, extra lighting, extra issue of books, and any other Gueh. privileges as the manager may sanction. 10. No prisoner shall take indulgences or extra articles of food outside his cell or share them with others, without being liable to punishment, including forfeiture of marks and privileges.

11. Each prisoner will be -employed according to his ability, and will perform such laboxir as the manager may direct daily, suited to his capacity and physical condition. The work should be of a productive, reformative, and educational character, and, whenever practicable and not inconsistent with disciplinary requirements, the prisoner should be employed at the trade at which he is most proficient and which will do the most to fit him for honest self-support when at liberty. 12. An account will be opened in each prisoner's name, showing the various payments and deductions ; and this is to be audited on the occasion of each visit of the inspector. At any time prisoners are to he informed on inquiry of the state of their account. (1) Marks may be earned as follows :— For a full day's work, with exemplary conduct, 8 marks. For a fair day's work, with good condiict, 7 marks. An indifferent doy'-i work, o«- Ua.d conduct, 6 marks. (2) The value of marks will be adjusted as follows: — Six marks per day, 2s 6d; seven marks, 2s 9d ; eidit marks. 3p. 13. After deducting six marks per diem, or 2s 6d for the prisoner's keep, the 6d or 3d per diem will be credited to the prisoner's account, as tho case may be ; and prisoners who only earn s;x marks per diem will be liable to be punished unless some good cause can be shown for their failing to earn -the higher number of marks.

14. Seven marks per diem Tnay be granted for exemplary conduct on Sundays and holidays.

15. Fines inflicted by the court, stipendiary magistrate, or visiting justices shall be at once deducted from the credit balance standing 1 to the prisoner's account, and will debar the offender from purchasing extras till such time as he has again earned the amount lost, and prisoners mu3t ha\e £2 standing to their credit before they aro permitted to purchase indulgences or remit money.

16. Prisoners after being one month clear of report, and who are earning full marks, will be allowed to write a letter and have a visit of half an hour's duration once every month for the first year of their imprisonment, and once every fortnight in their second year, and weekly in their third year or after. The manager may, if he sees fit, grant a letter in lieu of a visit at any time.

17. Prisoners desirous of obtaining any educational or other book" not in the library may apply to the manager, who, if he considers the case desei'ving. will endeavour to obtain the book applied for.

18. Tho manager will use his discretion as to relaxing any of tho regulations when he sees fit to do so, reporting the matter at the next meeting of tho Consultative Committee, as it is not expected that the rigid methods usually adopted in prisons can always be made applicable to a reformatory. 19. The following days will be observed as prison holidays: — Christmas Day, New Tear's Day, Good Friday, / King's Birthday, Prince of Wales's Birthday.

20. Prisoners may at any time during their detention petition, on the prescribed form, for release. The petitions will be referred to -court befor* which the seti-

tionor was triecf, tmd afterwards forwarded to his Excellency the Governor for his decision.

21. Any prisoner will be allowed to address the inspector in writing tvpon_ any subject connected with his case or position, and the manager shall forward the statement to tho head office without delay, making any comments he may think fit. 22. Any prisoner will be permitted, if he so desire, to complain of the treatment to which he is subjected to the stipendiary magistrate, visiting judges, or to the inspector, but any complaints must be made promptly, and must be of a specific character.

23. The manager when forwarding petitions for release should state if definite employment can be found for the prisoner, and every facility should be si^<*n to an eligible prisoner to communicate with Discharged Prisoners' Aid Societies or any kindred organisations or reputable persons likely to find employment for him. Prison officers are enjoined to render all possible assistance in this respect, as niile^ suitable employment is obtained for a prisoner prior to discharge there is little hope of his being able to lead a reformed: life.

The rations are divided into thre« scales — (1) for those able to do hard work; (2) those unable, and not doing -work; and (3) those undergoing punishment. In tho first scalo males in class A get 7oz oaten meal, 240z bread, 16oz potatoes, loz sugar, zoz salt, 2oz vegetables, 12oz meat, soap, and loz tobacco, presumably per day and those in classes B and C a little more. In tho female class A they get : soz oaten meal, 16oz bread, 12oz potatoes, loz sugar, ioz tea, 2oz vegetables, Boz.rn.cat, Jk>z soap, and milk, with slight increases in classes B and C. In ration scale No. 2 (for those unable to do or not doing work), the allowance, particularly as regards potatoes and meat, is reduced. In scale 3 (for those undergoing punishment) the bread allowance for males and females is reduced to 16oz.

The following are the duties imposed: — 6.45 a.m. : Rising boll rings, prisoners rise, wash, dress, ma,ke up hammocks, and tidy cells. 7 a.m. (first unlock) : Breakfast served in cells and prisoners locked up. 7.30 a.m. (second unlock) — will take place >at such an hour as to enablo prisoners to commer.ee labour at 8 a.m. 7.55 a.m.: General para-dV. 12 noon : Dinner. 12.55 p.m. : Prisoners (unlocked) searched, and smoking- time. 1.20 p.m. : March to labour. 4.30 p.m. : Prisoners in shops cease work and exercise for half an hour. 5 p.m. : Recall from labour. Prisoners mustered and searched. 5.30 p.m (lock-up). Teas served. 7.50 p.m. " (muster) : Nightwatch officers posted. 7.45 p.m. : Silence bell and cell light* out. On Saturdays there ie a " smoke oh " at 2 p.m. bath end clean-up at 2.20 p.m., and a parade at 4 p.m. On Sundays divine service and exercise occupies the time between 9 a.m. and 11.55 a.m.