Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MARCH 12th., 1937. PENAL SYSTEM.

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 March 1937, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MARCH 12th., 1937. PENAL SYSTEM.

to one member of a deputation sponsored by the Howard League for Penal Reform, which met the Minister of Labour (Hon. 11. T. Armstrong), at Auckland. there is little right about the penal system of the Dominion. So many faults were alleged, indeed, that the impression is given that flu* prisons of New Zealand are still in the mediaeval stage. It was stated that the Dominion has

I three times as many prisoners, in [proportion io population, as England, and more than Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Irish Free Stale, the Scandinavian countries, or Australia; that the Borstal system is not a complete success; that probation is a failure, owing to an over-worked, under-trained staff, and lack of facilities for deciding upon the best method of treatment for individuals; and that the value of psychology and psychiatry is neither understood nor appreciated by the authorities.!

Quite an indictment, but it is doubtful whether a “true bill” will be forthcoming. It was somewhat unfortunate that the deputation waited upon Mr. Armstrong, rather than the Minister of Justice (Hon. H. G. R. Mason). The former expressed interest in the subject, “because he once experienced a short term of imprisonment,” but his first-hand knowledge cannot be regarded as up-to-date.

Were Mr. Mason to be the judge of the Dominion’s penal system, he would certainly throw out the indictment. In an interview at Wellington, this week, the Minister made some interesting remarks. Stating that the prison population to-day is the lowest in New Zealand for a quarter of a century, he gave the total as approximately 880, compared with the lowest figures of 866 at the end of the year 1912. The total includes all classes of prisoners, irrespective of the terms of imprisonment, whereas, in Britain, offenders are not classed as prisoners unless the period of detention exceeds four days. There is not the same detailed classification scheme in New Zealand, where a sentence of one day suffices for inclusion in the list of prisoners. This system of computation is simple, but sometimes, in comparison, it works out to the disadvantage of New Zealand. The deputation at Auckland omitted to mention that the 40-hour week is in operation throughout the prison industries. This, however, will not. be permitted to affect fihe earnings of the prisoners and deprive dependents of their weekly allowances. The Government has, moreover, decided to increase the rates of pay, next financial year. Under the present system, the dependents are allowed up to 22/- per week, and this will be increased to 26/8 per week. Of course, as the Minister points out, the prisoners have to earn the money, but this applies to workers outside, as well as inside, prison walls.

It may surprise the Howard League to hear that most prisoners have now the benefits of radio broadcast, music, sets having been installed in a considerable number off prisons. Whether all the prisoners will appreciate this is questionable; some of them will probably wish fervently, that the “crooners” were under lock and key. There appears to be little real cause for complaint, so far as prisoners are treated once they are “inside.” There is more justice, perhaps, in the contention that facilities should be provided for a full investigation of every convicted person, before sentence. Mr. Armstrong expressed himself in favour of this proposal, stating he had found that a large proportion of so-called criminals were simply victims of mental disease. In many eases, however, it would be difficult to draw the line of demarcation. So far as the Borstal system is concerned, the results appear to be satisfactory. At the Point Halswell institution for delinquent girls, for instance, records show that relapses are only about 14 per cent, and this is regarded as exceptionally good. In discussing the penal system generally, it must not be forgotten that, after all, prisons are places of punishment, and that, if conditions there are made too homelike, any .deterrent effect they now exercise will rapidly be. destroyed.