THE CRIMINAL

Grey River Argus, 10 August 1925, Page 5

THE CRIMINAL

REFORMATION QUESTION, PRISON CONGRESS DISCUSSION. (Reeeievd August 8 at 5,5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 7. The Prison Congress passed a resolution urging quicker and easier communication among tho police and judicial authorities of the world, with a view to the more speedy arrest of inter■national offenders. Lord Chancellor Cave said that the inderterminate sentence did not mean an unlimited sentence, since a statutory maximum was fixed, giving a prisoner new aspirations and quicker ’freedom. The system of Borstal Institutions was employing indeterminism very successfully, though Judges agree that a three years’ l sentence was necessary for success. The age limit had been extended in America to 35, but many criticised the fact of over indulgence in tho f'jrm of concerts, newspapers, and a-la-carte meals. The Indeterminate sentence should be reserved for grave offenders with an age limit of 25 to 30 years, not specifying a minimum period, and entrusting the release to an independent permanent committee. Such Borstalism aimed nt reformation, which was n much more hopeful side of indeterminate sentence than its infliction on old offenders. LONDON, August 8. The Prison Congress passed a. resolution that the indeterminate sentence is one of the most efficacious means of social defence. The laws of each country should determine where for what cause there" should oe a maximum direction for the indeterminate sentence. There should be in every case, guarantees and rules for the conditional release of prisoners..