PRISON REFORM.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13683, 17 March 1910, Page 2

PRISON REFORM.

DETAILS OF THE NEW SCHEME

(rBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, March 16. The Hon. Dr. Findlay considers that his prison reform scheme, when in full operation, will show a great saving over the present system. Tho scheme is adapted to meet the present and prospective needs of this country, and also utilise, as far as possible, tho buildings, equipment, and" administrative machinery already. existing. Besides State institutions, official recognition will be given to the work of private, agencies, and their assistance will be requisitioned wheresoever available; and adaptable. When an indeterminate sentence has been applied, the release of the prisoner will depend upon himself. The conditions of release win be determined by a tribunal of suitable experts, except in the case of any person convicted of a crime punishable by j I hard labour for life. Tlie power to re-

lease shall be exercisable by the Gover-nor-in-Couneil. Privileges will be placed within the attainment of the prisoners, but they can only be gained by moral industry and improvement. According to the first classification, the prisoners will be distributed to divisions of the various institutions and agencies. According to the second they will be graded within those institutions. In the classification of criminals at work, care will be exercised to direct their minds into channels which are out of sympathy with their former manner of life. Prisoners may allow their earnings to accumulate, and receive them on discharge. It is in-n-tended to employ all the physically capable men on remunerative works; thus the men will gain an industrial traiuing which will bo useful to them on their release. The products of their labour will be usert by the Department, and .they will not compete with outside labour In the extension of the camp system, camps for quarrying building stone, manufacturing and making bricks, are to be situated in such parts of the Dominion as will enable thenproduct to be easily loaded on scows and distributed. The Agricultural Reformatory is to be on a site which has been selected near enough to the moans of transit to avoid the cost of carriage becoming a weighty expense. Tt is to be far enough away to avoid intercommunication, laxity of discipline, or facilities to cape. About 1200. acres, possibly more, will be required, and farming will be carried out in all its branches.