Arbeit macht frei: - Fredrick Töben

Mr Shannon: Mr Allen, the Sheriff, is greatly interested in the Cadell
Training Centre and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition can rest
assured that what the Treasurer said it correct. The salary of the officer
is fixed by the Public Service Board. When the Public Works
Committee investigated the establishment of this centre much evidence
was given by Mr Allen and other expert officers. The centre will be not
only an adjunct to our prisons but also a farm training school. It is
intended that the persons sent to Cadell shall be specially selected in the
hope that they will gain some benefit and some back into the community
as useful citizens. I have no doubt that the centre will be a success and
that Mr Allen will see that the staff there is the right type. The
superintended will have fewer men to handle and there will be a farm
manager on the staff, whereas the prison at Gladstone will have a larger
staff to control and will have no farm manager.
I commend Mr Allen for the work he has done in the establishment of
block C at Yatala prison for men who have served the major part of their
sentence and who are approaching the time for release. In my opinion
conditions there are first class for the rehabilitation of prisoners for
civilian life. The clothing and sleeping and arrangements, and the
freedom of action have a vital bearing on the reaction of the men on
their release. The men in the block realize that they have privileges and
it all helps to make them useful citizens when released. The Sheriff saw
the scheme’s operation elsewhere and recommended to South
Australia. Although the block has been in existence for about one year
only one prisoner has escaped. I understand that this is regarded as an
excellent result because the block accommodates 60 men and is full at
all times. The men who leave there will probably readjust themselves
successfully to civilian life. I have a high regard for the Sheriff.
Mr Hambour: I hope that the prison farm at Cadell opens soon. I am
concerned at the amount of land that will not be developed
immediately. Although 1,100 acres is available, in the first stage only 200
acres will be used. Persons nearby have complained about rabbit
infestation. It is an offence to have vermin, but unfortunately, the
neighbours have to suffer from rabbits on Government land. I join with
the member for Onkaparinga (Mr Shannon) in expressing my
appreciation of the work done by Mr Allen.
Mr Nakivell: Is there any justification for maintaining the Kyeema
Prison Camp?
The Hon Sir Thomas Playford: It will probably be closed down. I am
not informed whether a decision has been reached, but when Cadell was
considered by the Government it was anticipated that Kyeema would be
closed down.
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