LYTTELTON GAOL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13336, 30 January 1909, Page 10

LYTTELTON GAOL.

INSPECTED BY THE MINISTER FOR JU.STICE. THE NEED FOR REFORM. Yesterday afternoon tho Minister for Justice, the Hon. Dr. Findlay, accompanied by Messrs G. Laurenson and H. G, Ell, M.P.'s, paid an official visit of inspection to Lyttelton Gaol. Seen by a "Press" reporter on the wharf just before his departure for Wellington by tho Mararoa, the Minister said he was unable to communicate any information regarding his visit to the Gaol, beyond the statement that the "buildings wero far from new." In conversation with the reporter, Mr G. Laurenson, M.F., gave so.u_ interesting iniorniatioii regarding tho Minister's vi_it. Mr Laurenson stated that the Minister mado a very careful inspection ot tne prison, -.pen-aing _v.r ai hour in his tour ot the buildings. Although, he was very reticent a_ to his future course of action, tho Minister indicated one matter that certainly was in i-eed ot rctorni, and that was the necessity for the better lighting of tho ■colls than at present obtains. In the north wing of the Gaol, tlie Minister found that prisoners were compelled Lo sit in what were almost dark cells when locked, for over fifteen hours erery daj during the summer months. In winter the conditions wen- somewhat better, as the cells wore then lightoliv gas until o o'clock every night.

There is a library attached to tho Gaol, and upon inspection it was found that the books wero very old, and that there were very lew modern works on the shelves.

J .'if order of discipline among tinprisoners, tho state of perfect cleanliness, and the food supply, according to Mr Laurenson, left but littlo to- be desired. It was, however, very apparent under the conditions at present obtaining in tho Gaol, there was no possibility of, and little attempt was made at a proper classification of the prisoners. While the Gaol certainly fulfils all the conditions of being an instrument of punishment for criminals, little or nothing was being done to attempt the reform of any of those coming within the walls o*f the prison.

Lyttelton Gool is the first prison, to bo inspected' by tho Minister for Justice, who intends, however, to visit a.ll the gaols of the colony. According to Mr Laurenson, the Minister is inclined to think that there are too many small gaols being kept open, and that it woi—Jdi be far better to havo ono or two large central prisons, in which a proper system of classification and reform of the- inmates could bo carried out. As yet, however, the Minister has not come to any definite decision reg4rdinig this matter, but after having seen for himself certain matters brought undor his notice by Messrs Laurenson andl EH, ho expressed) himself as being quite convinced as to*" the room existing for vast improvements in our present system of dealing with those unfortunates who havo lapsed into criminality.

Mr Laurenson further stated) that ho had for some time past been interesting himself very much in the subject of prison reform. He said! that for somo years past the New South Wales Government, which was very much ahead of New Zealand' in this respect, havo had a very* competent German expert (Colonel Vietenstein) in charge of their prisons, and he had! successfully introduced a system of dlealing with prisoners, which had largely reduced the prison population in NewSouth Wales, and had borne the very best fruits. In New Zealand!, on the other hand, our pirison population was steadily increasing. When it was remembered that three out of every four inmates of our gaolsi Were relapsed criminals, it couldi readily ba realised what a fertile and! extensive field wo had in which to try experiments! for reform.!'. ' ".".,. . " 4 '" '