AUSTRALIAN PRISON REFORM.
Sydney, New South Wales, and in fact all Australian prisons were of the congregate system, free association. The recently introduced system of restricted association among prisoners is being gradually extended, though distasteful to the habitual criminal. Those seeking to reform, rejoice to be cut off from the degrading companionship. Captain Neitensteen, the Controller of New South Wales Prison, says: “There is every reason to hope the new departure will improve the moral atmosphere of all the jails, and will lead to the reformation of many prisoners. Already the number committed has decreased over 600, and the more serious crimes have received a check. Female prisoners have decreased to 180 prisoners last December, the lowest number in twenty-five years. The prisoners make all the clothing, boots, etc., for the officers and inmates, beside last year they earned £20,000 in work for the various Government departments repairing buildings, etc., outside the value of labor employed in the domestic work of the various jails.
“At Bathurst a complete marble-cutting and polishing plant has been erected, occupation to a large body of men. The waste lands attached to jails are now being cultivated, giving healthy out-door work of reformatory character, and supplies the greater portion of the food.”