XN000022-1977-01-21 — Page 10

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977

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MORALE HIGH IN PRISONS DEPARTMENT ******

THE MORALE AND EFFICIENCY OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER, THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. TOM GARNER, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE DURING WHICH HE PRESENTED CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL TO 16 OFFICERS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT,

MR. GARNER STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD RISEN DRAMATICALLY OVER THE YEARS, THE PERCENTAGE OF EXPATRIATE STAFF HAD FALLEN CONSIDERABLY.

HE SAID THAT IN 1946 THE TOTAL STAFF WAS 611, WHICH INCLUDED 296 EXPATRIATE OFFICERS. NOW THE TOTAL STRENGTH WAS 3,200 WITH ONLY 19 EXPATRIATE OFFICERS.

HE ADDED: +TO-DAY ALSO MARKS A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION WHEN FOR THE FIRST TIME LOCAL OFFICERS WITHIN THE SERVICE, OTHER THAN MINOR OFFICE STAFF, HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND CLASP TO THE MEDAL, AND HERE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY DOUBT I AM SURE THERE WILL BE AN INCREASING NUMBER EARNING THIS AWARD FROM NOW ON.+

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