PRISON BREAK

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 83, 4 October 1940, Page 9

PRISON BREAK

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE

INQUIRY PROMISED

SOME FEELING SHOWN

Two questions arising out of the escape of prisoners from Mount Eden Gaol, Auckland, this week were raised in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Broadfoot asked the Minister if he would inform the House what steps he proposed to take to prevent a recurrence of the dastardly assault on the warders in the Auckland Gaol. Was it a fact that prisoners in future were to be allowed to wear civilian clothes out of working hours, and, if so, would this not intensify the difficulties of the police in recapturing escaped prisoners and thus greatly endanger the lives and property of the general public? The Minister in Charge of Prisons (the Hon.'D. G. McMillan) said that an investigation'of the escape from Mount Eden was being made, and, if there had been any relaxation of the customary vigilance, the necessary remedial steps would be taken. The fact that there had not been a single escape from Mount Eden Prison during the past five years, until this recent happening, was evidence of the careful precautions taken by the authorities at-the prison, where it was well known that the worst criminals in the Dominion were incarcerated. Similar happenings in what were regarded as the strongest prisons overseas would indicate that, notwithstanding the most careful precautions, the risk of an isolated attempt at prison breaking was an inevitable contingency facing the authorities. The Minister added that his inquiries disclosed that the usual routine that had been prescribed over the past decade and longer was observed on the occasion of the recent escape. EXCEPTION TAKEN. Referring to the second part of the question, the Minister said it was to be regretted that Mr. Broadfoot had not stated his facts accurately—an omission which, however, would occasion no surprise to hon. members. Mr. Speaker interposed when the Minister made this comment, and objection was voiced also by members of the Opposition. Continuing, Dr. McMillan said that,! contrary to the implication in the question, all prisoners were not permitted to wear civilian clothes, this privilege being accorded only to those prisoners whose industry and conduct were satisfactory.. Mr. Broadfoot would know this had he read the regulations. Prisoners about whom there were doubts were not accorded these privileges, and indeed the prisoners who escaped were dressed in prison clothes. Moreover, contrary to the implication in Mr. Broadfoot's question, even as far as an escaped prisoner was concerned, the wearing of civilian clothes might reduce rather than increase the danger to the lives and property of the general public. An escaped prisoner in prison garb, especially if he were a really bad character, was in desperate need of civilian clothes and must of necessity commit immediate burglary, even if it be with violence, to obtain them. Mr. S. G. Holland (National* Christchurch North): Provide him with a motor-car and he will not have to steal one. CRITICISM OF NEWSPAPERS, . j "It is also interesting to observe the irresponsible way in which some newspaper editors, with the utmost abandon, are apportioning blame and making the most dogmatic statements in reference to this regrettable occurrence," continued the Minister. "I know far more of the details than any newspaper editor and yet I would not pretend to be in a position to assess the factors operating or express a reliable opinion. Not so some newspaper editors, whose imaginations apparently supply what they lack in facts, so permitting them to diagnose the causes and apportion the blame without reference to any fact other than that they are opposed to the Government." Mr. Broadfoot could rest assured, the Minister concluded, that a thorough inquiry would be held and a full statement made as soon as all the facts were to hand. EXCHANGES ACROSS THE HOUSE. Mr. Broadfoot emphasised that he had asked whether it was a fact that all prisoners in future were to be allowed to wear civilian clothes. Mr. Speaker said that the Minister had replied and that disposed of the matter. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser): Perhaps the hon. member isi not satisfied with the length of the xeply. Mr. Broadfoot: I am not satisfied with your Minister.^ Notice was given by Mr. W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago) to ask the Minister if it was a fact that young lads who had been sentenced to a term of reformative detention were permitted to associate with criminals of the worst type. "From the report in the Press of the brutal assault that was committed in Auckland," said Mr. Bodkin, "it appears that at least two lads, aged 21 and 23 years respectively, were permitted to associate in prison with a man who had been convicted of a particularly brutal murder.'N COMMUTED SENTENCES. Mr. Broadfoot also gave notice to ask the Minister for a return showing the length of term served by persons convicted of murder and duly sentenced to death, when the sentence had been commuted by the Executive! Council to life imprisonment through presumably mitigating circumstances. If sentence of death was to be commuted in every case of persons convicted of murder, would the Minister consider the application of the cat-o'-nine tails as a deterrent?