PRISON HOSPITALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11508, 2 October 1915, Page 8

PRISON HOSPITALS.

The attention of the House and of the country has been concentrated on war legislation during the session, and other matters, of more or less importance, have been dealt with summarily. Among the minor measures which have passed the House is a Bill headed <l Prisoners' Detention," and there can be* no doubt that it marks a decided advance in the social legislation of the Dominion. Of recent years there had been a breaking down of the barriers of silence, and public men, social work, ers, medica'l men and newspapers have discussed in an earnest, open manner the problems presented by the spread 1 of venereal diseases. This must bo regarded as an important development, and there can be little doubt that iti has led to the adoption of measured to combat the social scourge. In the 1 Dominion the hospital boards have already done good work in this direction, and in the Commonwealth some of the State Governments have tackled' the problem seriously. The Prisoners' Detention Act, 1915, brings the New* Zealand Government into the arena, and it conies well armed.

The measure introduced by DrM'Nab is described as "an Act for the detention aud cure of prisoners suffering from certain diseases," and it applies to every prisoner found to be suffering from a contagious, meaning a venereal, disease. The Governor has power to declare any hospital or part! of a hospital, or of_a "prison or police gaol, a prison hospital, aud the prisoners found to bo .suffering from these) diseases shall be detained there by order of a magistrate. The period spent in the prison gaol is to run concurrently with ,the term of imprisonment, but there is a proviso in the Act giving the authorities power, should it be necessary, to detain the prisoner for a longer period than the sentence imposed. The object' of such a clause is obvious, and it will make the Act ani extremely valuable measure. At the present timo people suffering from infectious diseases are isolated, whether s thy like it or noti and it is a reasonable proposal that prisoners suffering from venereal diseases should be kept under medical treatment until a cure 1 has been effected.

There are many provisions in the Bill worthy of praise. For one thing, any prisoner found to be Buffering from a disease of this character will bo brought before a magistrate in Chambers, and. should he appeal against the magistrate's order, the case will be heard in Chambers by a Judge of the Supreme Court. This course avoids publicity and has much to commend it. Those in touch with prison conditions! know that a measure of this nature has long been needed. The Minister! of Justice is carrying on the campaign! against venereal disease in a quarter not previously entered. Whereas hospital boards can only reach a few—in fact, only those who seek the assistance of the medical'authorities —the prison authorities can compel any and every prisoner, man or woman, to undergo treatment should it be found necessary. Social workers will welcome the l Act and its operations will be closely watched. It must prove a valuable weapon in waging war against a terrible scourge.