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IN spite of the extra accommodation it was necessary at times to lodge three prisoners in one cell. “As has been mentioned, in previous reports, an extreme building program must be undertaken as soon as possible,” Mrs Sellers said.
“In support I quote from an article on overcrowding in English prisons written by the late Mr Justice Humphreys, PC, “that great overcrowding has been the rule in most, if not all, the men’s prisons for some years, has been, or ought to have been, known to everyone who takes the slightest interest in the subject. Overcrowding in any establishment is dangerous and in such a place as a prison is likely to be fatal to discipline, as we all known”.
“There is one bright spot,” the report continued.
“Standing Finance Committee has approved spending 9000 pounds for an addition to the Lautoka Goal in 1959.
“While we in the Prisons Service are grateful for the crumbs that fall from the rich man’s table a greater share of money available should be given to the Prison Service if we are to maintain the standards of penology that have been built up over the past years.
Mr Sellars said at the beginning of 1958, 259 persons were in Fiji goals, and at the end of the year the total was 293.
The breakdown of inmates by age groups showed that there were four under 16, 216 between 16 and 20 years, 388 between 20 and 25 years, 638 between 25 and 50 years and 42 over 50 years.
The racial breakdown was: European 7; part-European 44;
Indian 255; Fijian 939; Chinese 2; Melanesia 10; and Micronesia 37.
Religious groups were: Church of England 9; Roman Catholic 156; Methodist 886; Seventh day Adventist 17; Muslim 40; Sikh 4; Hindu 78; and others 4.
The number of recidivists was 335, a drop of three on the 1957 figure.
“Attention is once called to the steady increase in the total number of prisoners admitted,” Mr Sellers said.
The figure of 1294 was an increase of 126 over 1957. These figures, when compared with the two preceding years, give a total increase of 451 over three years.
There was a considerable increase in the number of prisoners sentencing to 18 months and more.
“The increase in this category is one of the main factors in the over-crowding,” Mr Sellers said.
“In spite of the increased population the figure for recidivism remains practically the same. It is felt that this is due to the greater efforts made in the rehabilitation of this class of prisoner.
“Our grateful thanks are extended to employers and others who have helped the Prison Service in this matter. Women prisoners are all sent to the main prison at Suva, unless the sentence is so short as not to warrant the expenses of transfer.”
“Serious crime remains low, only 18 females being admitted during the years. Four juveniles passed through the Suva Goal in 1958. Of these one was committed to the Approved School, another was released to serve his sentence extra-murally, and a third, a bad case, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.”
“So that he would not come into contact with more hardened criminals, this lad was transferred to a district gaol. The fourth was given a chance in probation.”
“Remand prisoners are housed in a separate building and are kept apart from convicted prisoners as far as practicable.”
They are allowed to wear their own clothing, if it is sufficient and decent. They are also permitted to procure for themselves and to receive for themselves and to receive, at proper hours, food and clothing provided they maintain themselves entirely, otherwise they receive prison rations and clothing. If they wish, they may be provided with employment in the prison.”
Mr Sellers said it was not possible totally to isolate habitual offenders from other prisoners. As far as possible, offenders were confined in adjoining cells on the lower floor of the main prison block.
Available space did not permit the allocation of a separate yard for habitual offenders.
“Every endeavour is made to secure the segregation of the habitual offenders from other prisoners while they are at work,” Mr Sellers said.
A great majority of first offenders are susceptible to reformation and show keenness to earn their full remission.
“They are given, and take, every opportunity of obtaining advice from the prison authorities during their sentence and particularly at the time of their discharge,” Mr Sellers said.