PRISON SYSTEM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23318, 29 September 1945, Page 4

PRISON SYSTEM

Reform Suggested Objection To Solitary Confinement Borstal Supervision (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. Further progress was made with the Estimates in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Discussing the vote for the Department of Justice and Prisons, Mr R. M. Algie (National, Remuera) sought information as to the fate of the Magisterial petition presented to Parliament in August, 1944, requiring the elimination of a bad practice by which certain Magistrates were given preferment ixx outside positions not connected with their official duties. Mr C. G. Harker (National, Waipawa) asked what had been done to reduce the high percentage of escapes by Borstal detainees. It was not so much the expense involved in recapturing them but the damage and crimes they’ committed while (hey were at large. Mr G. R. Herron (National, Awarua) asked what could be done to improve the supervision of the Invercargill Borstal Institution to prevent escapes. He also asked if it was not possible to keep the institution purely fox- Borstal cases.

Mr H. T. Morton (National, Waitemata) asked for an increased vote for the Auckland Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society. He also considered that there should be some reform of the prison system in New Zealand, which was behind that of other countries Ministers seemed reluctant to permit any criticism of the prison system regarding it as sacrosanct. When men in the Auckland prison were kept in solitary confinement for 16 hours a day it indicated that the whole system could be improved. Mr F. Langstone (Government. Waimarino): Solitary confinement is the cruellest punishment of all. Mr Morton said solitary confinement was likely tn have an effect just the opposite tn that which all would hope would result from it. Instead of reforming a man it was likely to send him out of prison a worse man than when he went in. Borstal Escapees The Hon. H. G. R. Mason said more work could be done by aid to prisoners than by deprecatory remarks about prison officers, and he believed that the aid societies were performing a valuable task. Regarding Borstal institutions, it was inherent in their nature that there should be some escapes. As far as Invercargill was concerned there was a bad period a while ago, but

there had been an improvement in the last two years. The minimum number of older prisoners were associated with the institution, but they were only men with short sentences and they did not mix with the Borstal boys. Mr Mason said the remuneration of Magistrates was being put on a better basis. The Government was working toward the end asked for by the petitioner. If there was not a sum on the main estimates for the purpose a vote would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates. As far as any special work was concerned, it would be subject to an administrative arrangement. Some work was by fixed arrangement, and some time must elapse before it ran out. Mr W. T. Anderton (Government. Eden) criticised the treatment . of prisoners by doctors, who, he alleged, regarded them as prisoners not as patients. He considered that the prisons should be able to call on any doctor at any time. A Detrimental Effect Mi- A. S. Richards (Government, Roskill) asked the Minister if he could give an assurance that steps would be taken to abolish solitary confinement, which was not conducive to good behaviour and had a detrimental effect on a prisoner’s social outlook. Mr 8. G. Holland: What would you suggest? Mr Richards suggested an increased sentence if the prisoner was serving a term of 12 months. Mr Holland: If he still misbehaves, what then? Mr Richards replied that he‘was not prepared to take the matter further at such short notice. Mr Mason, replying, said there must be some discipline in a prison and he could not overlook the feelings of warders if they were called on to withstand unlimited provocation. He could not see an alternative to the punishment mentioned, which was not solitary confinement. The prisoners were exercised and had plenty of fresh air. though, if refractory, they were not permitted to associate with other prisoners. ■ A great deal had been done to maintain the efficiency of warders lay examination and instruction of a propel- understanding of prisoners. He sympathised with the suggestion that warders should be relieved of jobs imposed by manpower direction, and added that if a warder sought a better outside job this would be facilitated. “Pretty Desperate Characters” The Minister denied that first Borstal offenders were allowed to mix with old offenders. He knew that there was an impression that innocent young people who had not offended badly were sent to the Borstal but, nevertheless, he assured the House that some of the Borstal inmates were pretty desperate characters. The official view was that it was not easy to convert offenders into good citizens. Those who had not seriously offended were sent to Education Department institutions. The vote was passed, also the vote of £10,087 for the Crown Law Office.