THE YEAR'S REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 72, 27 March 1933, Page 11

THE YEAR'S REPORT

WOMEN BORSTAL WORKERS

Eloquent testimony of the girls' appreciation of the efforts made by the Women's Borstal Association, to rehabilitate them in society is given in the report of the "association, which will be presented at the annual meeting on Wednesday. The report states that, at the last annual meeting the Controller-General (Mr. Dallard) had mentioned that, since 1924, 151 girls had been committed to the institution, of whom 100 had been released. Only 11 of these had appeared again before the Courts. , Thankfulness that the work for the Borstal Institute had gone steadily forward is expressed in the report, which, stresses the value of "personal

|contact" between the inmates and those who go regularly to teach such extra subjects as handicrafts, first aid, and home nursing, and also keep in touch with ex-inmates.

Financial aid had been received from j the Macarthy Trust and other helpers, for which thanks is expressed. Money being scarcer than in other years, economies have had to be made. "Money is required for material for the various classes, and for outfits for the girls who are leaving, and who often have no clothes except those they wear at the Borstal. Also for fares to help them to go to situati^is when such are found, and in times of sickness, many having no,homes to go to," continues the report.

'' Owing to world-wide unemployment, the association finds it increasingly difficult to find work for girls when they leave, and ■ often board and lodging have to bo provided until positions are found.

"It is the aim of the association, working with the Department's approval, to provide the girls with healthy interests whilst still inmates, and to watch over them from the date of their release until they are absorbed again into civil life. To this end, concerts, travel, arid educational talks, play read-, ings, etc., are given throughout the year.

"Under the training and supervision of the- superintendent (Miss Escott} and her staff, they do all the work of the institute —cooking, housework, laundrywork, mending, gardening,, pig and poultry keeping. Laundrywork for Government Departments forms part of the daily routine, also shirtmaking and mending for men's prisons."

Mention "is made of the splendid work (as chairman for two years) of Mrs. M. H. Chatfield, J.P., who was granted leave of absence for a holiday abroad. Mrs. E. Tait was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy during, her absence. Mrs. F. A. Knight, who was secretary during the past year, had resigned, and Mrs. Coventry elected in her stead.

Thanks are expressed to her Excellency Lady Bledisloe for the active' and kindly interest in the girls; to Mrs. G. W. Forbes, for practical assistance; and many others for their helpful services.