PENAL REFORM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 92, 16 March 1927, Page 4

PENAL REFORM.

EXTENSION OF PROBATION

AFTER-CARE OF PRISONERS,

Miss B. E. Baughan, organiser of the Howard League for Penal Reform, lectured at St. Andrew’s Schoolroom last evening on tire subject of “Penal Reform,” with the object of forming in Palmerston North a branch of the league and adding one more to the growing list of towns and cities where she has- already set the movement afoot—Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, Timaru. There was a poor attendance, and it was decided that two or three of the audience co-operate and endeavour to hold a meeting of those interested in the near future, when Po doubt the branch would be successfully launched. Miss Baughan stated that sire had every confidence that a branch of the league would bo successful here. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., presided, and in introducing the speaker, stated that penal reform was a subject which had caused a great deal of worry for some time past, and that the aftercare of prisoners, with which Miss Baughan was specially interested, was a matter that would have to concern the authorities. At the commencement of her lecture, Miss Baughan stated, that the objects of the league, which’ was named for John Howard, an English prison reformer, were the development of the probation system, classification of delinquents, reform in criminal jurisdiction and after-care. In New Zealand in 1924 60 per cent, of those imprisoned had been in prison before, and the percentage for England in the same year was 66. “In prison, however well conducted, however clean, you have no power of choice, no house to keep; in no way do you direct your life. How do you and I develop as citizens? Is it not by planning and choosing? How can we expect these men and women prisoners, when they are crippled and stunted and made to behave like children, to come back into the stream of life ? How can they have improved in self-con-trol? Somebody else has been controlling them. And into what company do they go back ? ■ A community that thinks, plans and tolerates crime.” Proceeding, Miss Baughan stated that in New Zealand there was no provision for the after-care of Borstal inmates, but such was not tho case in England; and she went on to point to the efficacy of probation, stating that probation kept the offender in the community, living a normal life and subject to all tho daily trials that made for our development. But in prison it was an abnormal life. “Probation and restitution are the greatest factors in keeping a fallen person straight. If only our magistrates would consider extending probation wherever possible we would have fewer crimes. One reason why we want branches of the league all over New Zealand is that members can help the probation officers in after-care work. Bit by bit we must improve our probation system.” The lecturer dealt with feebleminded criminals, incidentally mentioning that many an habitual criminal in New Zealand ifc of feeble mind, which was all a great burden on us. Every time they committed a crime the State was put to great expense. “There is a woman continually coming into the Addington prison for drunkenness. She has 10 children and all are of feeble mind. There is another woman in Christchurch with over 200 convictions for drunkenness. People mock at her. Opposite the prison is a public house. Temptation is in her way, and she cannot help herself. There is need in New Zealand of an inebriates’ home rmi on scientific lines. We still have magistrates sending drunkards to Roto Itqa and Palcatoa for definto terms. Do we send our T.B. cases away for definite, terms,. not allowing them to return If they show, signs of improvement? I want for our poor drunks homes under skilled psychologists; homes where they would have their disease dealt with and could be let out on probation or brought back if the old symptoms occurred. I believe that these institutions in a short time would be self-supporting.' Prison is a costly business.’ ’ , Quoting from a report in 1924 on the treatment of crime in New Zealand, Miss Baughan stated: “Wo can

and do say that our criminal system is in most respects un-Christian and in many respects anti-Christian. Take criminals trials. It is un-Christian that the moneyless accused should go undefended (as lie generally does) while rich men can always purchase skilled and trained advocacy. It is unChristian that such heavy sentences should bo given for offenoes against property and such light sentences for offences against persons (seven years for attempting to break open a safe and a fortnight for beating a wife so as to break her collarbone). Or take the attitude of the oommunity to the discharged prisoner, which is so cold and Pharisaical, because ho has lost his ‘character,’ which really means only his temporary reputation, that generally he cannot obtain honest work and is forced • back into crime for a livelihood.” A hearty vote of thanks was tendered Miss Baughan at tho conclusion of her address on the motion of Rev. Harold T. Peat.