FEWER JAIL INMATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 7

FEWER JAIL INMATES

PRISON INDUSTRY SUFFERS REVIEW BY THE MINISTER INCREASES IN PAY NEXT YEAR [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, March 9. “Our prison population to-day is the lowest in New Zealand for a quarter of a century,” said the Minister of Justice, Hon. H. G. Mason, in an interview. “The total is about 880, as compared with the previous lowest figure of 866 at the end of the year 1912. “The decrease in the number of prisoners is affecting the prison industry. As a matter of fact, some of our machines are idle for lack of hands and it may also be necessary to close the gravel pit at Paparoa in Canterbury. “The present total includes all classes of prisoners, irrespective of the term of imprisonment,” continued Mr. Mason. “In Great Britain, for example, offenders are not classed as prisoners unless the period of detention exceeds four days. We have no such refinement of classification here. A sentence of 24 hours suffices for inclusion in the list of prisoners. Our system of computation is simple, but sometimes, in comparison, it works out to the disadvantage of New Zealand.

“It may seem an odd thing to say, but it is a fact that the decrease in jail population is causing quite a lot of bother. We are having difficulty in keeping the jail factory machinery and quarry plant going. At Mount Eden one of three quarry machines is idle, whiqh means a considerable reduction in output of road metal. A somewhat similar condition obtains at Paparoa.”

“Yes,” said Mr. Mason in reply to a question, “the 40-hour week is in operation throughout all our prison industries. This, however, will not be permitted to affect the earnings of prisoners and deprive the defendants of weekly allowances. Indeed, the Government has decided to increase the rates in the next financial year; so dependants will actually receive more money each week. Under the present system dependants are allowed up to 22s a week. Instead of awarding prisoners six marks daily for their work they will be given eight marks, and this will increase the payment to dependants from 22s to 26s 8d a week. Of course, prisoners have to earn the money.”

Referring to the normal trades and occupations of prisoners, the Minister said that there was no dearth of artisans and skilled workers. In fact, all talents were represented. Most prisoners have now the benefits of a radio broadcasting service. Radio sets have been installed in a considerable number of prisons, ana it will not be long before all have been so equipped. Some difficulties, however, have been experiencea about the use of loud speakers in jails where walls are exceptionally thick, as in Mount Eden, which is New Zealand’s strongest prison and, therefore, accommodates the most dangerous types of prisoners and longsentence criminals. A general radio service is not practicable, the Minister said. This question was being examined, particularly at Mount Eden, and a different system probably would be evolved.

“After all,” added Mr. Mason, “the prisoner is a human being.” Commenting on the work of the Borstal Institution for delinquent girls at Point Halswell, the Minister said that the results had been very good. Relapses were only about 14 per cent. This was an exceptionally good result, considering .the fact that many of the girls were sub-normal in the sense that they had not received the earlier training enjoyed by other girls. The fine results were largely due to the women officers in charge, and also to the work of the Women’s Borstal Association, whose members had shown sympathy and common sense in advice and activity on behalf of delinquent girl o -