A WOMAN INSPECTOR OF PRISONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 452, 10 March 1909, Page 3

A WOMAN INSPECTOR OF PRISONS.

The English Government has for the first time appointed a woman as inspector of prisons, and for the post they have selected . Dr. Mary , Gordon, a well-known medical woman, who,, has taken an active interest in many matters affecting the health and surroundings of the people, and as a pioneer in this' department of public service her work will be watched with much sympathy. It may be only a coincidence, but it is hone the less noteworthy, that the appointment of this lady should have occurred at a time when _ma'ny_ educated women happened to be ' studying prison life from tho prisoners'point of view; but this is perhaps hardly so',remarkable as the fact that institutions which contain a large proportion of unhappy women should so long have been inspected by men alone: The efficiency of the public service, it is recognised, demands,the inclusion of qualified women among its responsible officials, and it is to bo hoped that before long not only women prisoners and inebriates, but also female lunatics, will have the benefit of far more inspection _ and superintendence from women of the highest type and education than is the case at' present., In many respects women are as yet only entering the domain of public employment. In Wow Zealand two or three official women visitors to the gaol aro appointed in each centre by the Prisons Department. They pay periodic visits to the prison,- and make ■an annual report to tho Department. Their positions. are .honorary.