GAOL HOLIDAY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 192, 7 April 1932, Page 3

GAOL HOLIDAY

GOVERNOR'S VISIT PRACTICALLY UNPROTECTED HE TALKES WITH CONDEMNED INMATES. RESPECT FROM PRISONERS. For the second 'time within the memory of the oldest prisoners in San Quentin's Prison, the Governor of California, Mr. Rolph, went behind its white grey walls and heard first-hand the stories of its inmates. With music, cheers and all the ceremony that customarily marks the beginning of work on a civic project outside prison walls, he turned a spade full of earth for a new cell block. Surrounded by the major portion of the 4400 prisoners inside the gates, the Governor took off his coat and filled a wheelbarrow with newly dug earth, indicating the commencement of work on the cell block which is to house 450 prisoners in its main sections and 70 more in its solitary confinement portion. The cost of the building material will reach about £55,000. The new structure will replace a present building reputed to have been begun during the Spanish occupation period in the State's history. Just around the corner from the ground-breaking, thirteen condemned men listened from their cells on the second tier of their cell-block. A few moments later, the Governor personally went into the cells and talked with each of the men condemned to forfeit their lives for murders. Encouraged by Prisoners Unprotected except for a few guards with canes and the warden of the prison, the Governor stood within the circle of prisoners bending to his !job. Words of encouragement came from the throats of his curious watch- ' ers. Before the Governor began his shovelling task on the load of dirt in the concrete-covered yard for the ceremony, he made a brief talk. "I am the Governor of all of you, inside as well as outside these prison walls," he said, after addressing his listeners as "My Fellow Californians." "I have your interest and welfare at heart and all that makes for better conditions within these walls while you are here paying the debts you owe to the State for your failing to observe the law," the Governor declared. It was the Govenor's day. The prisoners made the most of it. Work was suspended. The band played. "Smiles," the Governor's favourite tune, greeted him as he stepped within the prison gates. "There'll be a Hot Time in the Old Town To-night" blared forth as he walked outside the walls.

Convicts Shook Hands. Tenseness in the air permeated the walk of the Governor and his associates through the prison enclosure. Convicts reached out to shake the Governor's hand. The Governor had a cheery salutation for each one. He asked a question of this prisoner and that one. Just once was there a discordant note in the whole proceedings. That was just after the 'Governor and his party had completed an inspection of the new library, the office of the captain of the guards, the workshop and the new mess-hall. As Mr. Rolph turned and waved a good-bye to the convicts within the new workshop, a "boo" was uttered by a convict. Then there came a small chorus of "boos." The Governor appeared not to notice it. But thq warden hurried the party along. The Governor made an inspection of "condemned row." Hnto each cell he went. He asked a few question^ concerning each prisoner, inquired about their crimes, questioned the thirteen men as to whetKer their appeals to the higher courts had been taken. Then he wished each condemned man "Good Luck."