PRISONERS’ RECORDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 138, 10 May 1930, Page 5

PRISONERS’ RECORDS

COMMENT BY JUDGE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 9. AATien Harold John A\ r indsor was, brought before Mr Justice Herdmanj for sentence this morning, Mr Noble* in pleading for accused, remarked that l His Honour no doubt knew the family, history of accused. His Honour said that he had had the greatest difficulty in getting any; information as to the prisoner’s previous record, if any, and it was only, through the courtesy o fthe Crown. 1 Solicitor that it was possible for him.' to get any information. Mr Noble said that accused had been in gaol before. Other members! of the family also. There was not! much to be said for accused. Perhaps if the Court could see its way to give' him a short sentence it would bring accused to realise the folly of his ways. His Honour imposed a sentence of reformative treatment not exceeding two years. In connection with the statement of His Honour that ho finds it very difficult to get any information concerning the previous convictions of prisoners to be sentenced, it is understood that the difficulty has only been experienced in the past six months. Before that reports were always supplied to Judges, but about six months ago, it is stated, a circular was issued from the Police Commissioner’s office forbidding the practice which had obtained.