LYTTELTON GAOL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 118, 11 July 1911, Page 5

LYTTELTON GAOL.

(For Press Associate ; Christchurch, July 10. Some now lignt was to-day thrown on the allegations made by Comrade Cook regarding the Lyttelton Gaol, by Mr VV. W. Collins, who for fifteen years has been visiting Justice at L\ ttelton. Air Collins has made a study of prison I’cform, and is strongly of opinion that the whole system should be directed towards the reformation of prisoners. Ho does not defend, and indeed is against the present system, tie said, however, there were statements made by Comrade Cock which wore absolutely incorrect. it was untrue that rue barbarous punishment of solitary confinement in a dark coll was one ol the punishments meted out at Lyttelton Gaol. There was no such thing as a dark cell, and no’such punishment as solitary confinement. A man might be confined to ids coll for a gross breach of prison discipline. lie would bo deprived of his night-light and also cl his tobacco. The confinement, however, could not he described as “solitary.” The man had to be allowed out in the exercise yard every day. Punishment as lie had said was not inflicted unless for an exceedingly serious breach of discipline. It was absolutely incorrect to say that visiting justices based their punishment on the recommendation of the gaoler. A man charged with an offence had a trial, as lie would before a Court, and he was entitled to call witnesses. It sometimes happened that the gaoler would ask that leniency be observed towards the man who had committed the offence, on the ground that his previous conduct had been good Comrade Cook’s detailed description of a man suffering from pleurisy lining next touched on. Mr. Collins said that the cell was not dark or solitary, and was not even in the punishment yard. The man was put into the cell at bis own particular request, as lie wished to he in a place where lie would get quietness and bo able to sleep bettor than he would in Ins own cell, Mr. Collins sympathised with Comrade Cooke’s condemnation of the lack of classification. Ho considered it absolutely wrong that first offenders should have to associate with criminals. Classification, however, would not be possible until the Government dealt more generously with the -Prison Depart men t. in some general observations Mr. Collins said that it was incorrect to say that 20 pot cent, of the prisoners were suffering from bronchial troubles. The men wore well fed with meat and vegetables. The food the men got in gaol was hotter than many

if +hcm got when they were out. He had never once during his fifteen yeni s’ exp: a ienco heard a complaint as to insufficiency of hlankets. lie agreed that there was much to do in the reform of the prison system. Ligths in the cells went out at 8 p.rn. and made the nights verv'long. Something should he devised to enable the prisoners to spend their spare time in self-improvement. Their nights might he bi ightoned up t; seU'-instruction.