PRISON REFORMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 November 1923, Page 3

PRISON REFORMS

N.S. WALES PROPOSALS. “I hope, as a result of the Puddifoot case, to introduce into Parliament shortly a Bill- which will completely revolutionise the control of the prison system,” said the New South Wales Minister of Justice (Mr Ley) at a meeting of the Women Justice’ Association at the Femininst Club, Sydney. One of the measures advocated in that Bill, will be the establishment of a psychological clinic which will deal with cases i similar to that of Puddifoot. “That young man, in my opinion,” said Mr Ley, “should be pitied, not punished. He was no more responsible for what he did than I was. Of course, we must see to it that his class of offender must not be let free again to jeopardise the safety of the community; but I do want to emphasise that people must not to the punitive side to give relief. Ihe suggestions to apply the lash and all the shouting from the platform help us not one whit. You must realise that these people are suffering from mental illhealth, and that questions of mental ill-health is one which the women justices would do well to take up earnestly. “So far as prison control is concerned, we must adapt new knowledge to old conditions. lam a great believer in forming good habits, and the habit of cleanliness is being drilled into the prisoners. Men no longer go about with cropped heads and unshaven chins. It is very bad for a man to be unshaven ; he feels as if he wants to shun all his fellow-creatures. In future all prisoners will be treated as ordinary citizens in this matter of general appearance. Their hair will be allowed to grow normally, they will be shaved daily, and, unless for reasons of health, be made to bathe daily.” Mr Ley is determined to alter the whole outlook on the prison system by the adoption of many new rules, including that of giving a man skilled training for a trade while in gaol. Miss May Matthews asked that an honorary woman magistrate be allowed to sit on the Children’s Court Bench, and also that women be allowed to serve as jurors. “I don’t go wild over all the men I know who sit on juries,” said Mr Ley, “and I do know any number of women I’d rather see on juries than some of the men. There should be no barrier where public service is concerned, and th question shall have my sympathetic consideration.,’’