Prison imbecility

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 265, 29 November 1988, Page 4

Prison imbecility

I am sure I a m speaking for hundreds of other residents in the central North Island when I say that I am appalled at the decision of the Justice Department to dismantle and remove the former Waikune Prison facility at National Park. Their decision, in the first place, to close

the prison facility two years ago while complaining of a shortage of prison accommodation was stupid enough but this latest decision amounts to downright imbecility. Even if the complex of buildings was not to be restored as a prison for low security offenders (and there must be many convicted persons in that category when sentenced to a term of imprisonment) and so relieve the pressure on Mt Eden and other medium-to-high secu-

rity gaols, the entire Waikune site and facilities could have been used 'as is' by a number of communitybased and recreational organisations. That this is now being denied them by the destruction and removal of these buildings by the Justice Department is almost criminal and certainly an act o f officially sanctioned vandalism. It should be stopped immediately pending further investigation into alternative uses.

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