PRISON REFORM.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 63, 16 March 1910, Page 5

PRISON REFORM.

[press association.] WELLINGTON, This Day. The Hon. Dr. Findlay considers his scheme of Prison Reform, when in full operation, will show a great saving over the present system. The scheme is adapted to meet the present and prospective requirements of this country, as it is intended to utilise as far as possible, the building equipment, and administrative machinery already existing. Besides tho State institutions, official recognition will be given to the work of private agencies, and their assistance will be requestioned wheresoever available and adaptable. When an indeterminate sentence is applied the release of the prisoner depends upon himself. The conditions of release are determined by a tribunal of suitable experts', except in case of any person convicted of a crime punishable by hard labor for life. The power of the lease shall be exercisable by the Gov-ernor-in-Council, and the privilege is placed within the attainment of prisoners but can be gained only by their moral industry and improvement. According to the first classification the prisoners will be distributed to divisions of various institutions and agencies. According to the second they are graded within those institutions. In the classification of criminals at work care will be exercised to direct. their minds into nels which are out of sj'mpathy with their former manner of life. Prisoners may allow their earnings to accumulate and receive them on their discharge, it is intended to employ all physically capable men on remunerative works, thus the men will gain an industrial training, which will be useful to them on their release* The products of their labor will be used Try the department, and will not compete with outside labor. In the extension of the camp sj'stem, camps for quarrying building stone, manufacturing cement, and making bricks, are to be situated at such parts of the Dominion as will enable their products to be easily loaded in scows and distributed. An agricultural reformatory is on the site which has been selected, near enough to a means of transit to avoid the cost of carriage becoming a weighty expense, bu* it is far enough awaj? to avoid intercommunication and laxity of discipline or facilities to escape. About 1200 acres, and possibly more, of farming will be carried out in all its branches.