THE CARE OF WOMEN PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 166, 9 April 1920, Page 7

THE CARE OF WOMEN PRISONERS

Sir,—Perusal of the evidence given at the trial of the young woman for theft of Y.W.C.A. funds, and of the sentence : passed "two years' reformative detention in the women's prison at Addington"— must convince all of the pressing need for the right, conditions to enable th'ia sentence to be carried out in a way that will be of real benefit to the young woman.

■ New Zealand has no institution properly equipped for reformative work in connection with women offenders such as the State of New Jcrsey„,.pQss?sses in tho "Clinton Farms Institute." There wonderfully successful results have been obtained; a year's reformative treatment, in which- the honour and parole -system* figure largely, usually suffice to restore women offenders to the community as useful citizens. ■ The.staff of the Clinton Farms Institute includes • a physician', a dietitian, nurses, . vocational instructors, farm managers,'etc.; and the unsightly buildings, barred windows, iron ; walls, locked doors, warders, unpalatable and monotonous food, which appear to be considered an indispensable portion of our New Zealand reformativei 1 " system for women offenders are conspicuous by their absence. We are, etc., C. A. HENDERSON, President. M. ENGLAND, Hon. Secretary "Tomale Prisoners' Welfare Society. . . THE PRICE OF BOOTS 'Sir,—Your correspondent "A Purchaser" states-, that Australian boots can be bought cheaper than New Zealand made. Would von kindly allow me to ask him where they are to-l;e,-.obtained. Thev would be a.godsend, to..me as I -am sadly in need of stock?" 7 A large cash order is waiting for him if he wili come along with his samples, I have iust returned from Australia after searching in v ain for footwear —a Nviscr man. The New Zealand-made boot is still the 'cheapest in the world..-;' kindly give 'A Purchaser" my address if he can produce hi* goods.-I am. etc^ April 8.