Places

Date: 17 Jun 1997

By: Costar, Dorothy Christina, 1942-; Hutching, Megan Alannah, 1957-; New Zealand. Department of Corrections

Reference: OHColl-0549/1

Description: Dorothy Christina Costar born Thames. Outlines family background - father, a miner, later worked for A & G Price, Thames. Mother was dental receptionist for [Mr] Shaw, the dentist, Thames. Describes: Thames which had a population of five and a half thousand people; schools - Thames South and Thames Central, with reference to Miss Baker; school uniforms; Church of Christ Sunday School and picnics in the Kauaeranga Valley. Refers to six o clock closing and recalls a fatal accident when friend was killed and comments on the $50 fine driver received. Mentions different attitude towards drinking and driving in those days. Recalls various jobs - Jamesfield clothing factory and Hutton the jewellers before joining the WRNZAF at Wigram, 1961 ending up as Flight Sergeant in charge of the joint services telephone exchange in Wellington. Recalls amalgamation of services, with reference to Ministry of Defence. Backgrounds circumstances leading to career with Prison Service and refers to Rev Hoddinutt. Commenced at Mt Eden prison October 1966 as assistant matron. Refers to Miss Molloy (Molly), chief matron who wore a veil. Describes process of training, with reference to examination subjects, psychology, penology, criminology and Acts and Regulations. Refers to the old Raven's Matrice test - psychological test. Discusses Arohata, the women's borstal: its daily routine; uniforms; punishment, with reference to deprivation of privacy; recreation; transportation of prisoners between Arohata and Dunedin women's prison. Talks about the integration of Mt Eden Prison and preparation for women prisoners and choosing staff. Discusses changes to the system and notes there is now more emphasis on rehabilitation - people have case management and are assessed to see what their needs are. Mentions the introduction of computers and health and safety courses, with reference to AIT [Auckland Institute of Technology]. Refers to Alternatives to Violence Programme, started by Quakers (Society of Friends) and mentions PARS (Prisoners' Aid & Rehabilitation Society). Other topics discussed include: split of the Justice Department into Corrections and Courts, with reference to Penal Division; numbers of Maori and Pacific Island offenders; glue sniffing; drug addiction; policy for mothers and children; change in hierarchical structure; child abuse, with reference to Women's Refuge; and the rebuilding of Mt Eden which commenced 1986, with reference to the Mason Clinic. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Venue - Mt Eden Prison Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008078-008080 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2235.