REFORM OF THE PRISON SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6566, 2 December 1882, Page 5

REFORM OF THE PRISON SYSTEM.

■ 4, [UY TELEGIUI'IJ.—-OWN COIiKESrOXDEKT.] We: mncton, Friday. k. COOK deal of comment has been excited y the return just compiled of the detention f prisoners beyond the terms of the original entences, which I telegraphed to you last ight. Special attention has been attracted by he case of one man in Dunedin Gaol, who recived a sentence of three days' imprisoniont for drunkenness. He was sent to the Junedin Gaol on the 24th of January, but e did not come out until the 4th of August -having thus been detained for nearly seven nontliK, instead of only three days. The eturn shows that he received from the 'isiting Justices successive sentences of '14 days," "7 days," "21 days" "6 rtitke," "2 months," " M days," and "1 iontii," "for idleness." It. has been rei?rked as an extrailordinary thing that a iau sentenced to three days' imprisonment or such an offence as drunkenness, should be able to have his term of incarceration muliplied by sixty-four times, merely because e was "idle" in gaol. There are other ases of a similar nature, although much less xtreme in degree. It is thought probable hat the disclosures will lead to some reviow f the general powers and status of the jsitjng Justices as part of a general reform u the prison-system of the colony.