PRISON LABOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 25

PRISON LABOUR

METHOD OF UTILISATION. THE SYSTEM AT PAPARUA. The secret of success in prison administra tion ia now generally recognised to lie in the proper utilisation of prison labour. _ Ah admirable example of the very striking change that has been brought about during tho last 10 years in connection with the treatment of reformative cases is afforded by an inspection of the Paparua Prison Farm, which occupies a block of 1100 acres in tho vicinity of Templeton. Here there is neither grime nor gloom, display of batons nor clank of chains. The system in vogue has, above all things, one clearly defined aim, and that is to get the men to take an interest in their work. Dull, useless, and iminterestincr work has been eliminated, and in its stead the prisoners are encouraged to take up occupations that are bound to prove of A'alue to them in after life. In the earliest days of their detention no trouble is spared to impress the men with the knowledge that good conduct is a quick and reliable route to freedom.

DESIGNED BY A PRISONER. Coming in from tho Church road, two miles north of Templeton, a Lyttelton Times reporter discovered one party of prisoners engaged in forming and metalling a new road, which will run to the corner of. the reserve "and carry traffic that formerly went over a road through th 9 farm. In an adjacent corner of tho property even more important work was in progress. Beeide four others of similar pattern, a concrete house, wholly designed by a prisoner, was rapidly approaching the stages, of completion. The concrete walls were up, and the red-coloured tiles rested on the onepiece roof. All the work was being done by prison labour, even to tho installation of electric light and the manufacture of the concrete blocks. These blocks measure 24in x Bin x 4in, and, being laid in two rows, make the walls absolutely dampproof. The face of a block for depth is composed of two part 3 sand, one part cement, and 10 per cent, hydrated lime. The remainder of the block, and also blocks for other work, are composed of one part cement and five parts shingle and sand. To erect a five-roomed house on this plan, it is estimated that the materials would cost about_ £SOO, giving a square building, with a plain roof, broad porch in the rear, and a gabled front. A SUCCESSFUL EFFORT.

Near at hand was further evidence of the handicraft of the prisoners. Temporary buildings contained a plumber's shop, a painter's shop, and a carpenter's shop, while a well 56ft deep was a sign of successful effort to provide an adequate water supply. The plan of work adopted here is worthy of description. A concrete cylinder, 4ft in diameter, 4ft high, and sin thick,- was first of all sunk into the ground. Subsequently a man stationed himself inside, and by means of excavations endeavoured to make the cylinder still deeper, eventually placing another, cylinder on top of the first, and continuing in that fashion until the well was an accomplished fact. A fine field of lucerne, -thirty acres in extent, was the next object of interest. To the growing of this crop, also the result of prison labour, 151 b of seed went to the acre. The rows are 14in apart, and it is all kept in a state of clean cultivation. Around it, as elsewhere, the strands of the fence are kept up by means of concrete posts, concrete droppers and corcreto stringers. Concrete is the big thing at Paparua. The beginnings of an orchard were pointed cut by the guides, who explained that the new system, though it had made remarkable headway, was still in its infancy. .Another year would see the prison farm really in its stride. A system that had been in operation for 60 years could not be changed in 60 weeks. CLASSES OF INSTRUCTION. Model fowlhoiises and model fowl runs are being laid out close to the lucerne field, and it is the intention of the departmental officials to breed utility stock, at the same time coaching all those prisoners who are selected in the most up-to-date methods of poultry, farming. In fact, there will be classes of instruction dealinpr with poultry, bees, pigs, and fruit, and every man will be encouraged to learn enough in any one branch so that he can be almost independent when he leaves. At the same time it is the intention of the department to make the prison farm as it stands self-support-ing.

Daring the -visit to this portion of the settlement prisoners wpre seen going about their work -without being under the immediate view of any warder. Later en a prisoner engaged by himself in hedge-cut-ting about a milo up the road had a word or two to say on the subject. "Formerly." he remarked, "we were marched out under men with guns and batons, we were confined in small spaces and put on grinding work. The result was to bring out, all that is worst in a man's nature. Now we are put on our honour, and <»mnloyod on interesting tasks in God's fresh air, and wo endeavour to prove worthy of the trust. If you treat a man lik» a wild dog, you must expect him to act likp one." LEARNING TO PLAT THE GAME. Referring to this subject in the course of an interview, Mr M. Hawkins, deputy inspector of prisons and supervisor of prison work, said that the idea was to make every man feel that he was doing some good, and that his work was proving of benefit to the welfare of the community. Under tho old system a man would be made to break stones which would never bo required, and one result was that he became degraded. Tho new system helped a man to retain his self-respect, by putting him on useful, profitable work, and in the end he took a pride in it. Twenty-five years ago a warder was not allowed to go about without a gun. Nowadays there were no batons and no guns, and the prisoners quickly learned to play the game. Of course there always remained a certain proportion whom it was necessary in the interests of the community to keep within Btone walls, dangerous criminals who had no vestigo of honoxir left. To accommodate prisoners of this typo the Auckland gaol, with provision for 303, wa-s to be exclusively used, and to Auckland all the hardened characters from tho South [lsland would eventually bo despatched. 'As far as Paparua was concerned, the department took overy care to see that only prisoners who were striving l to redeem themselves and who could bo trusted were given tho opportunities

already detailed, and up to the presant time the results had proved most gratifying. The department intended to include in the present "honour" system a proper and up-to-date method of classification, for which a complete plan had already been drawn up. One great handicap which had always to be faced, however, was the difficulty in securing the right class of warder, men who were neither domineering nor easily imposed upon. NEW BUILDINGS. The erection of new buildings, comprising two main wings with broad corridors, a kitchen b.ock, an administrative block, a hospital, and a church has 'been in progress for some time. Built substantially in _ concrete on stout- foundations, it is evident that the designers have succeeded in making provision for adequate lighting and ventilation. The wing is 170 ft long, 40ft wide, and two storeys high, having accommodation for 78 men. Balconies run round the spacious corridor and give access to tho well-lighted cubicles, which measure 9ft by 7ft 6in and are 10ft high, each fitted with electric light of 16 candle-power. For ventilation there is an open hopper in each window, as well as special I2in by £in openings into a central air shaft. ■ Against the wall in each cubicle is a hinged bedstead of tubular iron and close wire-woven mesh mattress. Three large windows at each end and 10 big ventilator shafts, each 10ft by Bft. have been fitted into the corridor. Prison labour is responsible for this building, and, according to official statements, the rate of progress is highly satisfactory. Or-her buildings to go up shortly include a stable with 16 stalls and two loose-boxes, an implement shed, fodder and harness rooms,* blacksmith's and carpenter's shops, and a piggery with 20 Kties. There will also be at least six exercise yards for the prisoners in order that the proposed classification scheme may be carried into effect. The administrative wing will include a commodious lecture hall. In the kitchen block there will be no fires, as all the cooking will be done by means ,of electricity. The fact that the Paparua Prison Farm specialisss in concrete work has already been mentioned. To the clank of shovels, the scraping of chisels, and the rattling of gravel, scores of men were turning out culvert pipes, paving blocks." roofing tiles, and building slabs, the greater portion of the work going forward in a long wooden shed served by trolleys. The roofing tiles, of which over 200 are manufactured every working day, aTe made up of equal parts of Kaiapoi and local sand, over which a red colouring material is sprinkled. THE PRESENT QUARTERS.

The visit concluded with an inspection of the present temporary quarters just at the time when an appetising dinner _of soup, roast meat, and vegetables was being served out by the cooks. No. 1 cell-house was found clean, well-lighted, and airy, the cubicles all fairly well furnished. In No. 2 section the accommodation was of «• better order for classification reasons, and here hammocks were in use instead of mattresses.

In. the conscientious objectors' division, where there are now 19 inmates, entrance is gained by means ot neat paths circling well-kept lawns, set off with shrubs and whita concrete kerbing. Under a wide verandah there is an exercise path for use in wot .weather. One portion of the block contains bathrooms and dressing rooms, fitted up with electric lights and skylights. The cubicles themselves havejhe usual furniture with shelves, tables, and seats, and an electric light bulb. The punishment cell, known as the "Dummy," does not appear to bo anything in the nature of a "black hole." There is plenty of room, the light is good, and the ventilation perfect. In fact, according to the gaoler, Mr O. J. Knight, one warder ■ slept in it for three months during a period when accommodation was severely taxed. In the rioting room there are no iron bars or gratings to strike a jarring note, and tables and forms are provided for the use of prisoners and their friends.

Figures furnished by the department show that the 97 men at present undergoing detention are employed as follows:—Farming work, 17; block-making, 25; building, 20; cottages, 12; road-making, 5; bootmaking, 10; cleaning, cooking, etc., 8. The ap-. proximate area of ground under cultivation on the prison farm and the new farm is 5&3 acres, including 44 acres in lucerne. Tho stock includes 17 draught horses, 728 sheep, 16 rams, and 74 pigs.