H.M. PRISONS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1920, Page 4

H.M. PRISONS

ANN UAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT. WELLINGTON, Oct. 19. The prisons report for last year states that there was a clear reduction in the prison criminal population for the first year after the war in comparison with tlie last pre-war year. This is. eminently satisfactory in view of the often expressed opinion that the coming of peace would be signalised by a Marked increase of crime in-all countries engaged in war activities. Tlie reason for tliis somewhat unexpected position is probably that up to the -present time wo are still floating upon a wave of apparent prosperity. Employment is plentiful, wages are hig.li, and there is little poverty. If conditions change for the worse, it is possible that thh change will he reflected in our criminal statictics.

Generally speaking, the conduct and industry of the military prisoners have been reasonably satisfactory. As stated in last year’s report, there were mild attempts to strike, while even hungerstriking was resorted to at Waikeria by a limited number of tho men, but these attempts to defy constituted auhority met with little success. Adequate punishments were inflicted, and there was no recrudescence of the tronble.X, The cost per head of prisoners’ rations has gone up from £10.15 in 1911 to £17.92 last year. Tiie total value of prison labour in 1919-20 was £80.812.

With the increase in the number of properties taken up by the Department, and the consequent large demand for labour, much difficulty was found in keeping the afforestation camps adequately manned. In addition to this, it soon became evident this was not a desirable occupation for the prisoners. Farming in all its branches was preferable in every way to the monotonous and unskilled work of clearing the land, pitting and planting trees. The knowledge gained by the farm worker was clearly of more use to the prisoner after release, and consequently to the State, ■'than the very elementary work of planting of trees year after year. It was therefore decided to end the era of tree planting by prison labour. The position with regard to the employment of prison labour has completely changed in the last few years. Under the older system, when practically all prisoners were confined in the central prisons, it was exceedingly difficult to find sufficient work to keep the prisoners employed. Nowadays, our chief difficulty is to find sufficient men. to carry on our various works. The Department is now farming, dairying, stock raising, roadmaking, building in stone, concrete, and wood, manufacturing concrete products, making bricks, and carrying on various trades and industries. A few years ago. beyond making a very limited supply of bricks, manufacturing clothing and hoots for prisoners and officers, and tree planting, there were no means of providing work for the prisoners.