Part 7/12:
However, beneath the surface of progress and optimism lay mounting concerns. Critics like politician David Marshall voiced alarm about the harsh conditions, pointing out that detainees endured exhausting labor under the relentless sun, often without adequate water, and in environments that bordered on slavery. Marshall contended that, as they were not convicted criminals but detainees under suspicion, they deserved fair wages and humane treatment.
Despite the positive publicity, dissent grew. Critics questioned whether the detainees were truly being rehabilitated or simply exploited. The conditions, especially in the early days, sparked debate about morality, human rights, and the ethics of such a pioneering system.