PRISON REFORM

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2156, 23 May 1914, Page 6

PRISON REFORM

SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES. Since tho present Government took offico tho subject of prison reform has received a good deal of attention, and somo important changes are in prospect. Tho general idcx seems to be to get the prisoners out of tho towns and into the country, where'they can lead a more healthy life and bo employed to better advantage. As was intimated last year by the Hon. A. L. Herdman (Minister of Justice), it is intended to closo tho present Lyttelton prison, which is obsolete, and. erect another prison for the Canterbury district on a more- suitablo site in tho country. The Justico Department has not yet decided upon a site, pending further Departmental information that has to bo received. Tho Torraco Gaol, which has been out of date for years, is also to be closed. As soon as the Waikeria buildings are ready, most of the prisoners now in tho Terraco Gaol will bo removed to that institution. Tho Waikeria prison is in an excellent situation, and has ono thousand acres of, land attached to it, which are being developed as a farm. Rapid progress is being made with the building at Waikeria, and when it is available quite a small prison, somewhere near Wellington, will suffice in place of tho present Terrace Gaol. This minor establishment will have accommodation for seventy or eighty .prisoners, and will be used for thoso who are serving short sentences or are awaiting trial.