A CASUAL SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1931, Page 8

A CASUAL SYSTEM

CONVICTS IN HOSPITAL. NO GUARD OR WARNING. AUCKLAND, December 22. In the course of an editorial, the “New Zealand Herald” says:—“The extremely casual fashion ini which prisoners are placed in public hospitals for treatment lias again been illustrated by the escape from the Auckland Hospital of a man whose record as dangerous criminal should have warned the authorities against any relaxation of surveillance. The official attitude seems to be' based upon the assumption . that, even if a prisoner has been sentenced to a long term of hard labour, he will not sacrifice the comforts of a. hospital for the illusory liberty of flight from pursuing warders and police, and that there" is no need either for a guard or for a warning to the hospital staff. ‘ ‘lt is even possible, as was recalled recently, for a prisoner to obtain a formal discharge from hospital and enjoy spurious liberty for nearly three years before he is found by the police. In spite of that warning, official carelessness has again permitted the escape of a prisoner. There is clearly a need for a review of the system or the lack of it which makes the public hospital an open door for long-sen-tence prisoners, and, having permitted escape, gives the fugitive a generous opportunity to find a safe refuge, before the general public is warned to look out for him.”