Cost of Prisons

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1922, Page 1

Cost of Prisons

LESSENED BY Jl K'M U NEK A TIVE. LABOUR. WELLINGTON, Soptemlier 12. It is shown in the annual report of the Prisons Department that prisoners are contributing substantially towards their keep. The gross expenditure totalled £129,411, but cash receipts and credit balances arc set down at £49,866 while prison labour employed on public works, for which neither cash nor financial credit was received, is estimated at £21,120, and laoour on farms, industries, domestic work, etc., is estimated at a further £24.028, bringing the total value of prison labour to £95,614. Another factor that has to he weighed in considering the system, is the improved moral effect on the prisoner of the policy adopted in recent years, compared with the former system which is still in vogue in some older countries. The Controller of Prisons comments upon the opportunities offered prison- ' ers for refitting themselves for society on discharge. “Under present conditions every man whose offence or whose general conduct warrants it is either drafted to one of our country institutions or is suitably employed at useful and remunerative work of some kind. The result is shown by the fact that even some of the many times convicted prisoners remain in the country in constant employment, instead of returning to the cities, and others obtain work at occupations, upon which they have been engaged while in prison. There is still the incorrigible class who cannot keep out of prison, but this class is rapidly diminishing in number. Every able-bodied man now learns tile gospel of hard work, and under the honour system that is very generally applied on our farms and works he also learns self-reliance and self-respect. For those' wlio aro illiterate we have evening .clasess where educational facilities are available, while a certain amount of recreation is also provided.as a moans to the desired I end, prevention of mental and moral deterioration.”