A CONVICTS’ NEWSPAPER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5094, 28 February 1927, Page 1

A CONVICTS’ NEWSPAPER

PURL I CATION IN GERMANY.

CIRCULATION AMONG PRISONERS.

There exists in Germany a remarkable newspaper, with a circulation oi 20,000 copies, which the public never see (says Gavin Gray in the London Daily News). This is the Lighthouse, a journal published weekly for the use of convicts, in prison, It is edited by an inspector of prisons, and its object is to keep prison inmates in touch with outside life, and in various ways to keep up their “morale.”

For disciplinary and other reasons the circulation of ordinary newspapers in the prisons is considered undesirable. The Lighthouse therefore provides, the convict with the actual news of the week, presented in strictly impartial 'fashion, and without party or denominational bias of any kihd. The held covered in this way includes parliamentary reports, trade reports, technical developments, and general news topics. Experience has shown that the subscribers take the keenest interest in the condition of the labour market—a matter of vital concern to them when they leave prison. The paper accordingly makes .a special feature df its labour news. Sport is also included, as well as a serial story and a “puzzle corner. ’ At first the paper was distributed free several readers sharing a copy. The’ desire o'f individuals to possess their own copies was., however, so great that it was decided to allow purchase by subscription. tJi-e price being fixed to suit the convicts’ means at the very low figure of one penny a month. This they can find out of their earnings for prison labour, Twelve thousand copies are now distributed in this way, in addition to a 'further 8000 supplied free to the sick and incapable.

A somewhat pathetic feature of the enterprise is the eager participation of the convicts themselves in the actual production of the paper. The editor, is overwhelmed with contributions—especially poetry—for insertion in the journal.