HABITUAL CRIMINALS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7251, 9 August 1907, Page 1

HABITUAL CRIMINALS.

1 Reference is made in the arinUai report of the Prisons Branch of the Department of Justice to the forking of the Habitual Criminals and Offenders Act. No doubt, it is stated, the Act will deter many criminals from coming to the colony who would have undoubtI odly visited' us if the Act had not be-i-oome law. "As regards setting apart I any prison or other suitable place as a reformatory prison for the detention of habitual criminals and habitual offenders," says the Inspector, "I refrained from making any recommendation hurriedly in that direction. A wing of some of the existing prisons night have boon proclaimed and set apart for that purpose, but I feel strongly that as far as possible the habitual criminals should not be in any way mixed up or confined with other prisoners, hence tho ■ delay. As there will probably not be many brought under the Act for some years to come, it is thought that one establishment, centrally situated, should suffice at present, and a site,has been recommended for your approval. It is considered that the construction of the. new btiildinc. and the administration of the establishment should be an somewhat different lines from those of ordinary. ; , prisons, and as soon as a site is'approved, plans for the buildings and regulations for the control and management of it will be submitter! for- your consideration and approval."