Posie ban branded bloomin’ stupid
Church group’s Christmas flowers wilt in the face of red tape, writes Craig Hoyle.
THE century-old Christmas tradition of church members gifting flowers to prisoners has been banned thanks to Government red tape.
Corrections has told the Quakers that this year they will not be allowed to take Christmas flowers to inmates at Mt Eden prison – a festive custom that dates back to World War I.
Prison reform advocate Dr Paul Wood has slammed the decision as ‘‘thoughtless bureaucracy’’ and ‘‘bloody typical of a process being applied without any judgement about the merits of an individual case’’.
The Quakers began delivering posies to prisoners after World War I, prompted by church members who had been jailed for refusing to bear arms. Horrified by conditions behind bars, they suggested the flowers as a way of showing compassion toward those inside.
The tradition has grown to dozens of Quakers gathering every Christmas Eve to deliver around 400 bouquets.
But when the Quakers contacted prison chaplains to confirm this year’s arrangements, they were told the flowers would not be allowed.
Linley Gregory, clerk of the Quakers group in Mt Eden, said the news came as a shock.
‘‘We’ve never done anything wrong in all this time. Some years they’ve had the sniffer dogs sniff the flowers to see if there’s any drugs in them, and there never has been,’’ she said.
‘‘We’re not likely to put in contraband. Most of us wouldn’t even know what it was!’’
Jeanette Burns, Corrections Regional Commissioner for Northern Region, confirmed the crackdown.
‘‘Gifts are not allowed into prisons with visitors, and to ensure the safety and security of [Mt Eden Corrections Facility] and to prevent contraband from entering, we are resuming full enforcement of this policy. Unfortunately, this means that the Quakers’ flowers will not be allowed into MECF at Christmas.’’
Gregory said it was disappointing for prisoners too.
‘‘We’ve had people draw pictures of flowers on to a card and send it to us to thank us. It really is just a little token. They could be our neighbours tomorrow, and if we can do something to improve their life, we will.’’
Wood said gestures of kindness were important to prisoners at Christmas.
‘‘One of the biggest demotivating factors when you’re in prison is that you feel isolated,’’ he said.
‘‘What the Quakers’ actions symbolise is members of the community reaching out to say ‘we do care about you, there is the opportunity for change and acceptance’. It actually reduces the likelihood that these people will reoffend.’’