GIFTS TO PRISONERS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1932, Page 5

GIFTS TO PRISONERS

MT EDEN GAOL

' POLICE DISCOVER METHOD.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

AUCKLAND, August .25

For many months, Mt Eden Prison officials and two detectives have been trying to discover the secret of letters which it was known, were passing to and from the prison. Also,, how the prisoners obtained supplies of , tobacco, postage stamps, writing fraper andj chewing gum. ■ . Last evening, near the prison, detectives arrested a young man) after he had dropped a broken tin over the prison. To-day, Alfred Arnold Carey, 19, and Olive Mary Carter, 44, pleaded guilty to a charge of introducing tobacco, stamps, and chewing gum to the prison. ) Pcuoctive-Sergt. Kelly said that prison officials had been much perturbed by the clandestine correspondence. One of the chief offenders whs John •iGhai’les Carter, /who wrote letters to liis tvife in invisible ink, by writing, in doclitlrmbicarbdnate, bn the back of an ordinary letter allowed bfl the prison authorities. By rubbihg a warm iron over the letter, the.ink became visible. The wife replied in the same way. Carey admitted that he had been .sent by Mrs Carter to leave a parcel, 'This was a very serious matter as it under* mined discipline and might encourage outsiders of a lawless nature to introduce to prison articles far - more harmful than tobacco and writing material. Mrs Carter was in poor circumstances, and was endeavouring to support two unemployed daughters. The police were satisfied her husband was the instigator of the whole thing. The Magistrate said that the case would be a warning to other. Both offenders were liable to prison. Each would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within six 1 months. If there were any mote com'plaints, both could be dealt with on the present charge.