Borstal A Gaol

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7287, 14 October 1933, Page 7

Borstal A Gaol

ANGLICAN CLERGYMAN’S CRITICISM. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Oct. 13. ■The Rev. Andrews Baxter, of Gladstone, referred at the Anglican Synod to the treatment of inmates of the Borstal Institute at. Invercargill. He said the institution was under ’•be wrong department. The officers were prison-trained men. Whereas a man was sentenced to three months for the theft of a watch, a boy, for the same offence, was sentenced to three years’ Borstal because the Magistrate thought it was a training school, but really they were sentencing boys to three years in prison. In the case of a boy given solitary confinement, everything was taken from the cell in the morning except the wire mattress and a Bible. That was all he had till 10 p.m. He must learn to hate the Bible. The cells were badly ventilated, with no winter heating. This form of punishment might last from one to six days. It was barbarous to treat boys so. The speaker stated ho had been plainly told a chaplain would not be appointed. It was resolved to appoint a Commission to report on the need of better spiritual ministration in Government institutions,