Spain Decorates Prison Director for his Enlightened Reforms

To the British public a Nationalist Spanish prison means mediaeval tor titre, cruelty, and what-not.
A glimpse of the truth may be got by studying the work of Don Maximo Cuervo, General Director of Prisons and a member of the Central Board of Catholic Action, who has recently had a gold medal conferred on him by the State.
EDUCATION OF PRISONERS' CHILDREN
One 'of the most important phases of the programme is the education of the children of prisoners. Although this Is a more recent undertaking oi Don Maximo and his associates, already more than 10,000 children have been catalogued for entrance into various schools, and 3,000 are actually assigned
In carrying out this part of the programme the Patronato, or office in charge of prison affairs, has received valuable assistance from Catholic Action groups and the St. Vincent de Paul 'Society The first plan, which was to set up special schools for prisoners' children, was abandoned fortunately and. now through the intervention of Catholic Action, these children are being placed in the various schools conducted by Religious Congregations and Orders
Clothing and other necessities are allowed them and alert is to be no differentiation between them and other pupils. The maximum cost of maintenance is set at four pesetas a day, and this amount is added to
the sum deducted from the wages earned by the prisoner for the support of his family.
PAY PREVAILING WAGE A most important fact is that the Patronato requires that those who employ prison workers must pay them the same wages or salaries as freemen. Si‘nce wages are now high due to the rising cost of living almost any prisoner who is willbig to work can provide adequately for the support of his family The 5,000,000 pesetas already earned by prisoners for the support of their families is bound to show a considerable increase.
Many ot the children are found to be undernourished and in need of medical care. For children requiring special medical care. or a different climate combination schoolsanatoriums are beine arranged Sometimes a child may be placed on a farm or in some rural community. another may require special preventive care in a hospital or saneatodrviiusm; jcor in some cases open-air camps are ab
The Jesuit, Father Villoslada, has already placed about 1,000 pupils requiring special climatic or othei conditions.
CHRISTIAN PENAL SYSTEM.
In attempting to establish a penal system that is Christian in nature, Don Maximo and associates have given thought to the spiritual and moral betterment of the prisoner as well as to his material welfare.
Although not compulsory, the prisoners Lb o have access to religious instruction and services. About 50 per cent. of the prisoners made their Easter duty. It is is worthy of note that a good proportion of these were formerly Socialists or Communists.