NEW PLYMOUTH PRISON.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1919, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH PRISON.

ANNUAL REPORT. (By Wire—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Nifht. The annual report on the New Plymouth Prison states: The prisoners have been employed mostly at quarry and gardening work, but, with the class of prisoners we have, it is difficult to tilTf on the work to' advantage, as dlnct supervision is absolutely necessary. Considering, however, the obstacles we have to contend with, I may state that, 00 the whole, the prisoners employed in the quarry have worked satisfactorily. The prisoners employed in the garden tire more trustworthy, as far as safe ciutodttfc is concerned. Better results would obtained if we had more ground to culti* vate, so as to relieve the quarry of SODU men who are not altogether suitable for; quarry work. The men who are employed in the garden appear to take some interest in their work, and give very little trouble. The conduct of the prisoners, oil. the whole, has been good, although we had 24 offences dealt with by the visiting Justices against seven prisoners. By punishing these prisoners as they have been punished for their gaol "heroism" we have saved a number ; of good men from punishment who are desirous of doing their best for the Department and for themselves if protected by the officers against the' agitators and would-be gaol "heroes,'" who are up against authority in their endeavors to get other prisoners to commit themselves against the regulations. My experience is that the majority of the prisoners prefer safe discipline to slackness, as it gives them a chance to make good under the protection of the officers, instead of being dominated by the gaol bully.