PRISONERS AND GAOL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20107, 28 March 1928, Page 8

PRISONERS AND GAOL

NEW SOUTH WALES POLICY NO ADDITIONAL PRISONS. “New South Wales will never build another gaol,” declarer! an official of the Justice Department in Sydney the other day, speaking with ample authority. “We arc more likely to close several of the existing gaiols, and if we do we will buil/l weatherproof huts in their place.”

The Afinister of Justice, Air Lee, has been giving a great deal of attention to prison reform, and under his policy it seems that prison camps will be developed on an extensive scale. It is explained in support of this that the number of prisoners necessarily confined, within high walls and cells is very small. Records have shown that the ordinary offender whose crime was not of a violent nature is “not a bad sort of fellow” and worthy of being given every chance to make good. Instead of shutting him up in a cell before four o’clock each day, the idea \s to give him as much fresh air as possible, good food, and, above all, good hand work. “Treat him as a human being’’ is the Alinister’s idea, “and not as a wild boast. Let him see some result for his labour, an»d gradually you evolve pride in his work. ”

At one of the forestry camps already established, some of the prisoners—if such a term is applicable —are undergoing life sentences. With every facility to escape, only one man has tried to do so. So satisfied is the department with the success already achieved that at least, two more prison camps will be established. The camps will be under the control of the Prisons Department, but the fiel;d operations will be directed by the Forestry Department, and so a double purpose will be achieved. New Ebuth Wales is also considering extensive plans for the training of delinquent children. Under the proposals various branches now dealing with wayward and neglected children will be co-ordinated and the department proposes to take the power to continue control until the boy or girl reaches the age of 21. It. is Imped that the training they receive will be of such a nature that they will go out into the world well equipped for life’s battle and capable of becoming useful citizens.