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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 20. 29th August 1973

The Editor, Salient. Wi Tako Prison Trentham

The Editor,

Salient.

Wi Tako Prison Trentham

Dear Sir,

Following my arrest last year I was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and taken to a holding prison where I was informed (in due course) that I would not serve my sentence there, but at Wi Tako Prison in Trentham. I was further informed that at Wi Tako I would be considered a "trusted" inmate and would be treated accordingly. I would receive one third remission as opposed to one quarter in other institutions, have ample time for academic studies, and after serving half my net sentence I would be given work parole.

Having been at Wi Tako now for a good many months I feel qualified to make several brief observations about the institution. In my opinion the present superintendent Mr H.E. Wash has strayed considerably from the original concept of reform and rehabilitation about which the prison was built. Striking examples of this are; one third remission has become a standing joke, work parole numbers have declined sharply from about 50 to about 20 under Mr Wash. Out of 160 inmates none are doing full-time studies, and only about 20 are encouraged to do any studies at all. The officers are overbearing and contemptuous rather than helpful and considerate as one would expect of an "open prison".

Surely the time has come for some public investigation of Wi Tako and the policies of those who run it.

Yours faithfully,

(Name witheld by request)