PRISONS AND WARDERS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In your issue of March 26th, a Mr. Bernard Adler indulges in a wholesale condemnation of the English prison system, in terms which reveal an abysmal ignorance on the part of the writer of what is actually happening today within the prisons of this country. But as Mr. Adler is frank enough to admit that he has obtained his facts from the complaints of an acquaintance who has recently completed a term of penal servitude and the highly coloured (and probably highly lucra- tive) ,writings of a notorious but plausible ex-convict, his criticisms are not likely to receive serious attention.
Your correspondent, however, is not content with condemn- ing our prison system. He must needs also attack the prison officer whom he describes as seeming "often to have been chosen from the very dregs of society " ; and this is an accusa- tion too monstrous to be allowed to pass on the ground that its author is merely ignorant. For Mr. Adler has libelled a fine body of men, not only grossly but meanly, since the prison officer, as a public servant, is unable to reply in his own defence.
For fourteen years, Sir, I have worked voluntarily in five of His Majesty's prisons as a teacher, a visitor, and as a member of a discharged prisoners' aid society ; and I have the honour to represent some six hundred men and women who are
daily working side by side with those ." warders" whom Mr.' Adler sees fit to abuse. I have also lectured to the prison officers' training class at Wakefield Prison and I submit that I am at least qualified by experience to express my opinion on this subject ; which is that there is no vestige of truth in Mr. Adler's outrageous assertion. Recruited from homes of unblemished reputation, prison officers undergo a course of training just as arduous as do their brethren in the police force.' Besides a high Standard of educatierial attainment the prison officer must have courage, tact, a sense of humour, and un- wearying patience. That he does possess these qualities in large measure and is frequently a man with a real understanding of human nature not only I and my colleagues, but countless ex-prisoners, are ready to bear witness. We are proud to know him and privileged. to work with him.
Before Mr. Adler vituperates on the ethics of punishment he would do well to check his facts at first hand, both as regards our prison system and our prison. officers. Concerning the former he will find that we are not so Erewhonian as he thinks ; concerning the latter I hope he may have the decency to feel Honorary Secretary.
The National Association of Prison Visitors, 16 Hanover Square, London, W. r.
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