GAOL ACCOMMODATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 22, 16 June 1914, Page 2

GAOL ACCOMMODATION.

THE NEW SrtliEMli, CLOSING UP SEVERAL PRISONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. ■Wellington, Monday. Interviewed by the Post on the subject of prison reform', Mr Hprdman said the work of the construction of the 'large prison at Waikeria, near Tc Awamutu, wag proceeding apace. It was timated that when completed it would hoM 250 prisoners. Then accommodation would bo required in Wellington for not more than 100 men. The policy for the North Island was to have a forge gaol in Auckland and anofchler at Waikeria, a gaol at New Plymouth for habitual prisoners, a small .place at Gisborne, a prison near Wellington iarge enough for iOO short sentence'and waiting trial ■ risonors. South Island reeiiiremfiiN vou! l ibo met by the Invercargill prison, a small prison at Dunedin, a largo prison at Oantcrburv, about Templebon, and' a women's prison at Aldington. A prison camp ibad been establio'lifd at Wainmrino. The Im-ercarsri'; mil Mount Eden .prisons would bo added to. When the .programme of new prison!*, had Been completed the conditions obtaining should be quite satisfactory. As to complaints iby priPDnera, the Minister said the gaols were never intended to bo luxurious and it was i.ot the intention of the Department to make them so. When the prison budding policy was completed accommodation would be provided for Bfio prisoners in the North Island and 454 in the South Island.