BILIBID PRISON.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5490, 21 October 1929, Page 2

BILIBID PRISON.

MODEL INSTITUTION. REHABILITATION OF CONVICTS. Mr P. Watt, who recently returned from a visit to the Philippine Islands, gave to the Wellington Rotary Club on Tuesday a brief description of the great convict prison at Manila, and how the prisoners are treated. Mr Watt stated that all visitors to Manila went to see the retreat of the prisoners at Bilibid Prison, which took place at 4.30 p.m. each day. The Philippine Islands were in the tropics, there being about 7000 of them in all, with a total area of 114,400 square miles, and a population of about 12 millions. The islands became a Spanish possession in 1570, and remained so for 328 years, until the American occupation in 1838, since when they had become a distributing centre for American goods over an area with a population of SOO milion people. The Philippines of today were descendants of the Malay settlers who conquered the aboriginals, and took possession of the islands centuries ago. The few aboriginals left left lived in the mountains, in a semi-savage state. The majority of the people were Christians, and there were about a million Mahommedans, but the two never agreed on any subject. Five Thousand Prisoners. The Bilibid Prison had accommodation for 5000 prisoners, although the average number was about 3000 in confinement. There was an industrial division, where prisoners were taught or could engage in various trades, and these were equipped with power plant and machinery, and employed 1650 prisoners. The speaker described the buildings, and how a large area of ground was set aside for farming operations. Penal Colonies. In addition to Bilibid there were several penal colonies. One of these had an area of 450 square miles, where 1600 life prisoners and their wives and children were stationed. They were provided with alll liberties and conveniences, including schools, hospitals, churches and the usual community requirements. They conducted their own government and matters relating to the settlement, which was self-supporting, even affording considerable revenue to'the Government. The director and assistant directoiof the prison and penal colonies were excellent officers, and had a staff of 250 assistants. A strict medical examination was undergone by prisoners on admission, and they had to -take military exercise daily. They had to memorise the prison regulations and abide by them, and were given the opportunity to develop their natural bent as regarded occupation. They soon realised that their period of detention depended a great deal upon their good conduct, and they were dressed in different coloured uniforms according to the class they \yere in. They would usually reach first-class in about six months, and a prisoner who had served one-tenth of his sentence with good conduct was granted the privilege of a special dormitory, had his meals on a table with a tablecloth on, and was attended to by a waiter. According to theii' ability they received compensation, and many were able to leave with sufficient money to maintain themselves and families for several months. No Time to Get Morbid. The principal idea was to keep the prisoners’ minds fully occupied, to which end there were debating societies, civic organisations, libraries, day and night school, games, etc. Mr Watt gave a description of the internal position of the prison, how visitors were allowed -to witness the retreat of the prisoners, hospital accommodation, etc., and mentioned the band, comprising 60 to 70 members, whose death sentence had been commuted. Hearty thanks were accorded A?r Watt for his address.