LIFE IN PRISON

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 2

LIFE IN PRISON

AN ENLIGHTENED CODE NEW SET OF REGULATIONS. New regulations covering the control and management of prisons are published in this week's “Gazette.” They are tar more comprehensive than the old regulations made in 18S2, and embody many modem improvements in the treatment and detention of offenders at H.M. prisons. Whereas the old regulations occupied only ten quarto sheets, the new set occupy twenty foolscap pages, and contain a much greater minuteness of detail. Regulations which previously made only one clause have now been subdivided into several. DISCIPLINE THE PURPOSE.

Wide powers of supervision and inquiry are vested in the Inspector, who shall see that suitable employment is given to the prisoners, and that marks are fairly allotted. Officers are enjoined to master tho regulations, and exercise "zeal, attention, care and example” to secure their operation. Every officer shall constantly bear iu mind tnat discipline is tho purpose or the prison, and must study not only to enforce, but himself to observe it, in tho smallest deta'jl. He should carry out his authority with firmness, good temper, and humanity. Violence and harshness must never be resorted to. Obedience and punctuality are enjoined. An officer shall not strike a prisoner unless compelled to do so in self-defence; and ho must promptly report cases of ill-health, misconduct,,etc. The gaoler shall daily visit each prisoner in his cell, and, at uncertain hours, he shall go .through the whole prison at night. All prisoners must have ready access to him, and he shall hear their complaints with patience. Ho shall take means to prevent tho spread of infectious or contagious disease. DUTIES OP AVAKDERS.

Tho chief warder, .who is next in charge to the gaoler, shall visit all parts without notice to see that prisoners are orderly and industrious. He shall be specially responsible for tho cleanliness and smartness of subordinate officers.

Warders shall frequently examine cells, bolts, locks, bedding, etc. They shall at all .times carefully watch the prisoners iu their various movements aud employments; use the utmost alacrity and vigilance to promote industry, maintain order and silence, and prevent escapes. No familiarity between officers and prisoners is allowed, nor shall warders on any account speak of their duties or of any matter of discipline, within the hearing of a prisoner. On no account aro warders on armed duty to sit down or lounge about. Defaults in recognising their duty, or acting with effect when needful, will bo regarded os incompetency.

The medical officer shall see every prisoner in the course of each week. Every three months he shall inspect the whole prison, and i report with regard to cleanliness, drainage, warmth, ventilation, provisions, clothing, bedding, and quality of the water. He shall call the attention of tho gaoler to any prisoner Whoso state of health appears to require the attendance of a minister of religion. He must attend inflictions of corporal punishment, ,and order its cessation if tho prisoner is liable to collapse. He may, after twenty-four hours, give ameliorative treatment to a flogged prisoner. Candidates for .positions as prison warders must be at least sft 9in in height; British subjects, of sound health, and between twenty-three and thirty-five years of age. Principal warders, before promotion, must pass an examination which includes criminology and penalogy. ROUTINE IN GAOL. Wide discretionary powers are given to visiting justices, who shall frequently inspect the diet and report upon prisoners liable to be injured by discipline or treatment imposed. The schedule of routine duties is succinct and laconic in directions. Prisoners rise at 6.30 at tho ringing of tho bell; there is a general parade at 7.55 a.m. when prisoners are searched aud marched to labour; dinner at noon; there is smoking at 12.5* pan., and march to labour again at 1.20 p.m.; tho recall is at 5 p.m., and teas served at 5-20; the “silence bell and lights out” rings at 8 p.m. On Saturday afternoons, beards are trimmed; ceils cleaned; blankets aired, and prisoners exercised in tho open. On fciundays the rising bell rings at 7.30 a.m., and divine service with exercise lasts from 9 till 11.55 a.m., and again after "smokeoh” at 2 p.m.

Filthy or infected clothing shall be destroyed. All prisoners shall bo thoroughly washed aud cleansed before being placed among the other prisoners. A prisoner shall bo exposed to public view as little as possible while being removed to or from prison. In order to avoid exposure while passing through tho public streets, he shall, if necessary, be conveyed iu a cab or closed vehicle. Every prisoner shall, wherever possible, be given a separate cell, and shall bo supplied with a stool, table, bed, shelf, small mirror, tooth-brush, ;lmir-brush and comb, drinking-vessel, and panTRIMMING OF BEARDS. A child at breast is to be kept at the Public expense till it is twelve months old. Male prisoners whose sentences exceed a month shall have their hair cut, and it shall be kept reasonably short’, but not so as to disfigure them. Such prisoners shall also have their beards cut or close-clipped once a week. Prisoners under committal shall not have their hair or beards cut save so far,as may be necessary to preserve their appearance a® when examined. Hair and beards may be grown an -desired two months before expiration of sentences. Female prisoners shall not have their hair cut without their consent unless tho interests of health demand it.

Criminal offenders shall be photographed and have their finger prints taken on arrival, even by “reasonable force.” -AH prisoners shall be searched upon admission, and daily upon leaving for and returning from labour. They must promptly obey all orders. Profane swearing, indecent conversation, gambling, trafficking, damaging or defacing the walls, cells, or furniture is prohibited. No scratching or marking on the walls] however slight, will be overlooked, and prisoners must not have in their possession any article not given them. STRICT SILENCE.

Prisoners must preserve strict silence at all musters, at meals, in the dormitories and cells, while undergoing solitary confinement, and while marching to and from their places of labour. Male prisoners must invariably salute and stand to attention when addressing an officer or visitor, and must always stand to attention (except when at meals), when any of the principal officers or visitors enter their colls or the yards'. They must at all times be respectful to their officers and to all visitors to the prison. All games, jumping, wrestling, singing, whistling, and conduct of a like descrintion are strictly prohibited. On hearing the cell-door unlocked, prisoners, unless in bed, must stand to attention in the centre of the ceil, facing the door, hands to the side, and heels close together. No prisoner shall bo allowed to perform clerical work, nor to send any letter or parcel except through the gaoler’s hands. Provision is made for complaints regarding diet, and all orisoners shall be allowed such air and exercise necessary for health consistent with security. They must bathe at least once a week, in a. shower or sponge bath. Prisoners before trial shall bo permitted to procure for themselves, or receive from their friends, tobacco, ordinary food, clothing, and other necessaries, subject to strict examination by the gaoler in order to prevent the introduction of spirituous and fermented liquors or other prohibited articles. Any food, etc., so procured may_ be-, paid ,fag_out o£ the, moneys .be-

longing to such prisoner in the hands of the gaoler. TREATMENT OF DEBTORS.

Debtors are to bo kept apart, from other prisoners, and shall not have their hair or boards cut except by their own wish. They may provide themselves with food {additional to the scald, clothing, bedding, books, writing materials, or toilet accessories. Debtors shall be required to keep their cells and utensils clean, but no other labour is required of them; they may be visited daily at a convenient hour, and may correspond daily -with friends. CLASSIFICATION.

Misdemeanants are clarified into four divisions—first, second, third, and speciaL To the first belong mild olleuders; tho third contains prisoners sentenced to hard labour for more than sis months, who mav be visited once a week for twenty minutes, and may be promoted to second-class on. earning H 64, marks. Tho ’ ‘special class’ contains well-behaved and industrious prisoners, who within twelve months of their prospective release, must earn 3920 marks in the hrstwho have served more than one previous term of imprisonment shall not be eligible lor promotion to this class, unless under exceptional circumstances to be decided by the inspector. Prisoners may, for misconduct, be removed to a lower class for a (dated I* I>od> 1 >o d > and will not again be eligible foi promotion to this class. Prisoners m this class shall bo pernnted to receive a• vnut of thirty minutes’ duration, and to despatch'and receive a letter every lwo weeks. They 6hall be allowed to change their library books as often as the> wish, but must not have more than one book and one magazine at any one time. They shall he granted a gratuity at tho rate of 4d for each thirty marks earnc<l, and shall weer ** bins uicss. REMISSION OF SENTENCES. By industry and good conduct, prisoners sentenced to hard labour may earn marks for remission of sentence, tight marks a day for steady hard labour, seven for a lesser standard, ami six foi u fair or moderate standard ot labour. The number of marks in any sentence shall be determined by multiplying the number of days in the sentence by six. All marks earned in excess of six a day, shall count for remission at the rate of one day’s remission for every eight marks earned. Those who volunteer and perform hard labour shall bo granted the same remission as "hard labour" prisoners. The latter class, on release, shall bo granted gratuities as follows: Third class. Id per 30 marks; second, lid; first. 3d; special, 2jd. Extra gratuities will also be allowed. Thus a prisoner sentenced to one year would need to earn ai9o marks; his minimum sentence to b’ferve would bo nine months; his gratuities under marks would be Ts Id, to which would bo added 5s "extra." A prisoner sentenced to ten years could, by earning 2L900 marks, reduce his period to 7 years 6 months, earn JES lla dd under marks, and £2 ‘‘extra," EDUCATION OF PiiISON'BRS. Provision must bo made in every prison for instruction in reading, wilting, and arithmetic, and every assistance shall be given prisoners, by means of instruction books, to advance their education. Where a schoolmaster is appointed, attendance is compulsory for backward prisoners. Discreet provisions are made for denominational instruction in religion. The dietary provided appears to bo liberal, especially for "hard labour" subjects. Minute directions are given to prison officers in regard to uniforms, and the necessity for respecting their badges of office. No officer in uniform, for instance, shall enter a publichouso; and they must not go on dnty with dirty boors, but present a clean, smart appearance.