The Northern advocate SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1911. THE FIRST PRISONS BOARD.

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1911, Page 4

The Northern advocate SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1911. THE FIRST PRISONS BOARD.

THE Government are to be complimented on having made a very satisfactory selection of members to constitute the first Prisons Board set up ruder the new Act providing for indeterminate sentences. Dr. Findlay, we imagine, is mainly responsible for the choice made, and he has acted wisely

hi leaving no room for any suspicion of political influences having affected the decision of Cabinet in the matter. No exception, so far as we are aware, can be taken to any of the appointments and most of them will receive hearty approval. The duties of the toard are both important and difficult. V. is a very serious matter indeed to send a man to gaol under an indeterPiinate sentence, and the public, to have full confidence that the very great powers entrusted to the Supreme Court Bench are not likely to lead to in-

.iustice, must be given some assurance that the persons so sentenced are not lest sight of. The purpose of the law is a good one, but no loophole must be left for abuses springing up under it. A live and capable Prisons Board is u.e best safeguard possible, not only in the interests of the prisoners, but for the welfare of society. The Board is expected to review the cases of all prisoners regularly and at comparatively short intervals; and to make such recommendations as appear to it desirable regarding the treatment of individual prisoners and also as to their release on probation or final discharge. The responsibility thus placed on the members of the Board is a h: avy one. We have no doubt that the gentlemen appointed realise this and that they will not in any way underrate the seriousness of the duty they

have undertaken