PROBATION ACT ON TRIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2143, 27 July 1907, Page 2

PROBATION ACT ON TRIAL.

VIEWED FROM DIFFERENT ASPECTS.

An a sequel to some recent discussions concerning the first offenders system, a Wellington Post reporter ha, obtained the views of some of those who are brought into contact with the working of the Act. PoliceInspector Ellison, oil being asked for his opinion, said:—“l think it a very excellent law. It has a tendency to prevent many from becoming habitual criminals. Supposing,” he added, “a man committed one offence, and was convicted and placed upon his.good behaviour. By having to comply with the requirements of the Act lie would be very likely to awaken to a sense of his own responsibility and refrain from going any farther into crime. If such a pel soil were dealt with harshly and sent to gaol ho would probably become worse. Even if a few do take advantage of it,” added Mr. Ellison, “it is just the same iu dispensing charity; it would be a pity not to give the deserving ones a chance.” Some interesting remarks were made by Chief Detective McGrath. “Personally speaking,” he said, “I think the Act was never altogether necessary. I think it was possible to deal with criminals practically in the same way before it was passed.” He admitted that it had done some good, an l said it required to be carefully administered. It should by no means be a rule to allow every first offender the benefit, of it. It should: be the exception, certainly, and only used in cases where supervision would be useful. In other cases where it was undesirable to send a prisoner to gao’ he should be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

Au interesting phase of the ques- ■ tion yvas raised by a well-knoyvn authority. - He asked: 1 Mloiv many fiist offenders nowadays are the victims of the operation of the Act by assuming that its clemency will be extended to them if they are caught in their delinquencies P In other words, How many have been made criminals by the ’Act?” One of tho fir>t questions a young man in trouble asks is, “Do you think I will get off m a first offender?” Our informant maintains that the Act has long since lost its usefulness, and that many a yvell-connected young man .would hesitate in committing a crime if he kneyv that kis chances of escaping punishment were remote. Some magistrates preferred to convict a man and order him to come up for sentence when-called upon rather tha n admit him to probation, simply because the Probation Aec by requiring that the offender shaP at regular intervals report himself to the prison authorities, keeps him in touch yvith anything b.it elevating influences.