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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4403, 30 April 1875, Page 2

We are pleased to find that the Minister of Justice has not lost sight of the pledge he made on the Kaiapoi hustings, with respect to improving the gaols of the colony. The necessity for erecting a central penal establishment for the colony was forcibly set out. in the report of a Royal Commission, as far back as 1867 ; and what was then declared to be absolutely necessary for the proper classification of prisoners is much more necessary now, owing to the very large increase to our population, and to the demoralising influence of our prisons. We understand that reports have been obtained from the Visiting Justices throughout the colony, disclosing a truly lamentable state of things. At least 500 convicts must be removed from the provincial gaols to a penal establishment, before the gaol authorities can conduct their establishments with any regard to decency or morality. Cells are overcrowded, the young and inexperienced being locked up with hardened criminals. The consequence naturally is, that an inmate of one of our gaols goes out after his first term of imprisonment far worse than when he entered it. And bad as may be the male side of our prisons, the female- side is worse. There is less space and greater overcrowding; women and girls, committed for trifling offences, are compelled to herd in miserable cells with the most depraved and abandoned of their sex. The consequence of such association may be easily imagined. The moral sense is blunted, self-respect is lost, and a downward career is all that is left for the unhappy victim of our penal system. The Hon. Mr. Bowen taking these facts into consideration, and having the recommendation of the Royal Commission before him, has had Resolution Island reserved by proclamation as a site for the great penal prison of the colony. It is perfectly isolated, and offers greater advantages for the profitable employment of the labor of convicts than perhaps any other place in ' the colony. Granite of the finest quality abounds, and the men could be employed dressing it, and building their own prison. Escape would be out of the question. There is a good harbor in the island, where stores might be landed.' Mr. Lemon, of the telegraph department, is going down by the Luna to-day, to examine how the island could best be connected by telegraph with the nearest station at Riverton, and another gentleman accompanies him to make an accurate survey of it. The result of this examination and survey, together with the reports of the condition of the New Zealand gaols, will be laid before Parliament. A considerable sum of money will be required to erect the necessary buildings, and. provide guards and other officials. We trust there will be no hesitation on the part of the Assembly to provide the requisite funds.