Jail goes blooming silly
‘Thoughtless bureaucracy’ of prison system slams door on century of Christmas kindness. Craig Hoyle reports.
Quakers have been banned from taking Christmas flowers to inmates at Mt Eden prison, bringing an end to a century-old tradition.
Prison reform advocate Dr Paul Wood, himself a former prisoner, said it was a classic example of needless government red tape.
‘‘This is just thoughtless bureaucracy,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s bloody typical of a process being applied without any judgement about the merits of an individual case.’’
The Quakers have been delivering posies of roses, lavender, baby’s-breath and more to prisoners since just after World War I.
Members of the religious group who had been put behind bars for refusing to bear arms were so horrified by conditions at Mt Eden Prison that once released, they suggested the flowers as a way of showing compassion towards those inside.
Since then, every Christmas Eve, dozens of Quakers have gathered to put together a personal posy for all sentenced and convicted prisoners; in recent years that’s stretched to around 400 bouquets as the prison’s roll has grown. But not this year. When the Quakers contacted the prison chaplains to confirm their annual arrangements, they were told the flowers would not be allowed by Corrections.
Linley Gregory, clerk of the Quakers group in Mt Eden, said the news came as a shock.
‘‘We’ve never done anything wrong
We’ve had people draw pictures of flowers onto a card and send it to us to thank us. Linley Gregory
in all this time,’’ she said.
‘‘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.
‘‘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 contraband fears were behind the crackdown.
‘‘At all sites, 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,’’ she said.
‘‘Unfortunately, this means that the Quakers’ flowers will not be allowed into MECF at Christmas.’’
Wood agreed it was important to avoid contraband, but said current safeguards should satisfy any concerns.
‘‘Visitors to prison are checked, and there are guard dogs and guards,’’ he said. ‘‘All of that can be put into practice to ensure this goes without any problems.’’
Gestures of kindness were an important part of making prisoners feel included at Christmas, he said.
‘‘One of the biggest demotivating factors when you’re in prison is that you feel isolated.
‘‘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.’’
Corrections told the Quakers they could send Christmas cards to prisoners instead of flowers.
Quakers are a nonviolent religious group who believe in tolerance and peace. They are also known for their stand on human rights.
Linley Gregory said it was disappointing to have the tradition axed, as there had always been a positive response from prisoners.
‘‘We’ve had people draw pictures of flowers onto a card and send it to us to thank us,’’ she said.
‘‘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.’’