THE PRISON SYSTEM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9, 8 May 1912, Page 5

THE PRISON SYSTEM.

MR. HANAN’S VIEWS. (Per Pros: Association,) Christchurch, May 7. In an interview to-day, the Hon. d. A. Hamm, Minister of Just.ce, sax that the appointment of Inspector Cm lon to fill the position of Commissions of Police seemed to have met with g oral approval. In all probability Inspector Mitchell of Dunedin would be appointed Inspector at Auckland,. Ar appointment to the vacant mspectoiShad not yet been made. Speaking of 'prison reform, the Mmistei said that this quesion was being “imodeied. Some changes would be made to ni „ about a better - classification of prisoners to secure a higher .standard.of efficiency, and to better the administration of prisons. Ho expected to be able to make an announcement concerning, this matter later on. There was need in the face of what had taken place recently at Lyttelton gaol that prison discipline should be stiffened up. While lie was quite m accord with the idea that the prisoners should be fairly treated, he was very firmly of the opinion that they should be made to r'Lpco that in prison they could not do" as thev liked. Obedience must be strictly enforced. A number of the prisoners possibly were influenced by the very free public discussion of tin question of prison reform, and had evidently construed it to mean that they were not to be interfered with m any wav or be subjected to discipline while in gaol. The construction of prison buildings and the scarcity of yard accommodation made it exceedingly difficult to carry out a system of classification, but he hoped to be able to do something in that- direction in the near future.