PRISON REFORM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5965, 31 July 1912, Page 1

PRISON REFORM.

NO CAUSE FOE ALARM. WELLINGTON, July 25. Intel-viewed to-day as to his proposals about prison reform, the Minister of Justice (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) said there wasi nothing much to be alarmed about, and thai such reforms as were necessary might bo introduced gradually. Meantime he has detailed Mr Ironsides, of Auckland, to make a tour of the prisons of the Dominion and supply him, with reliable information, it would probably be necessary, he said, to appoint u permanent inspector of prisons, and he hoped to be able to choose a suitable man from the public service without going abroad. Dr Hay, who at present is in charge ot prisons and mental hospitals, had not the time (at his disposal to make Kimself aac/uninted with prison discipline and.administration. Mr Herdman said that thero was evidence of slackness in the recent strike a t l.yttelton and i n the escape of (.Welka. Such t/hmga e<..uld not have happened under a well-ordered organisation. Every gaoler was allowed to run Ins prison & s he thought best, and there I wa-s no proper system of making appointments in gaol stall's.