ACCUSED PERSONS' FINGERPRINTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3592, 3 August 1912, Page 11

ACCUSED PERSONS' FINGERPRINTS.

PRISONS AMENDMENT BILL BE-

FORE THE HOUSE.

SEOOND READING AGREED TO

[PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Aug. 2. In the House to-night Mr Herdman moved the second reading of the Prisons’ Amendment Bill, which provides for the taking of the photographs, finger-prints, and measures of all persons accused of offences as well as these convicted. It was further provided that aiiy prisoner who refuses to obey ant such regulation after the same had been read, to him by an officer of the gaol would he deemed to he guilty of an aggravated offence. Mr Laurenson said that the taking of finger-prints of accused persons did not appeal to him nor did the provision in the Bill for punishing those who objected to undergo the operation. Mr. Bradney suggested an amendment that all trace’s of finger-prints should be removed if an accused person were found not guilty. Mr Hanan advocated a proper system of gaol inspection. He did not agree with the present method. A good naan should be secured for the post of-~ Inspector of Prisons. He° thought such ~a man could he secured in New Zealand. He desired to take an opportunity of giving his reason for pob laving the Prisons Report before the House. Evidence was given to him as confidential and contained allegations against Rev. Kayall. Pie would not publish an exports statement given in confidence. " _ Mr Malcolm said he saw no humiliation in leaving one’s finger-prints in official quarters. It was not so bad as taking a man’s photograph, which, he understood, was done now. An innocent man might be able to prove his innocence through Ins finger-prints. Mr Hindmarsh asked the Minister for Justice to consider the matter of making a distinction between prisoners incarcerated for debt and the ordinary criminals. Mr Isitt thought there was no humiliation in having finger prints taken, hut he thought the prison authorities should use. some discretion in the matter. For instance, if a man knocked another down lie need not have In's finger-prints taken. A Voice: "They were already taken!”

Mr Herdman, in reply, said it was essential to take the finger-prints of accused persons and he instanced a case e/f a burglar having left his prints on windows-

Hcw, lie asked, could they connect the man with a crime if they could not take the accused’s orbits P Mr Herdman referred, incidentally, to the prison farm at Tokaanu, the development of which he said depended noon the finances of the country.

The Minister also paid _ a tribute to the Prison Beard and said they were doing exceedingly well. The second reading was agreed to on the voices.