10 JUNE 1938, Page 22

WOMEN IN PRISON

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—Many comments might be made on the article " Women in Prison " which appeared in The Spectator of May 27th, but I will confine myself to joining issue with the writer on one statement of fact : that prison uniform has been abolished. Although this assertion has recently been made by the Home Secretary and others, it can be accounted for only on the assumption that for official purposes the word " uniform " bears some esoteric meaning. It is true that the detested and unnecessary " Sister Dora " cap has gone, but women prisoners do in truth and in fact wear uniform, each class— Star, Special and Ordinary—having a different colour. Well- meant but unimaginative efforts have recently been made to improve the dress, and it is now officially described as a " coat-frock."—Yours faithfully,

MILDRED ARTEMUS-JONES.

Gorqwvea, Llanrwst, North Wales.