CRIME AND DISEASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17659, 21 December 1920, Page 10

CRIME AND DISEASE.

Sir, —Will you permit a few remarks on tbe Rev. E. C. Budd's letter to you on the above subject? Mr. Budd said: "There is little doubt the board is largely dominated by the personality of the chairman, Bir Robert Stout. This may or may not 1)3 a very good thing; but it should not be forgotten when reviewing the board's proceedings." With due respect to my friend Mr. Budd, there is much doubt on his allegation. Everybody knows that "to dominate is to exercise control over; control as by right; or superior force; govern, rule." In my experience as a member of 'the Prisons Board I never noticed the chairman's attempt to dominate it, -and it is not fair to Sir Robert Stout or the other seven, members to make such an allegation without proof. Great respect -was always deemed due to the chairman because of his letal knowledge and lengthy experience in dealing publicly 'with criminals, besides his known studies of criminology and his deep personal interest in the welfare of criminals. But Mr. Budd's unfounded implication is that the chairman dominates, controls, rules "he other members, and enjoys his own sweet will without let or hindrance. That is incorrect. It is not what the chairman, broadminded, iolerent, and congenial that he is, would wish, or the other members of the boatoj submit to. They aro not men who would bo influenced by the crack of the whip. There w the freest and fullest discussion and consideration of each prisoner's case. All the members are equally interested in doing justice to the unfortunate prisoners, and it is not fair to imply that it is practically a one-man-job, and that the country quite unnecessarily pays the other seven to travel to the prisons throughout the country. Mr. Budd also said: "I know, too, the increasing unwillingness of the Prisons Board to release these men.". For the occasion the word "unwillingness" implies too much. It suggests decreasing sympathy, or a hardening of heart', which those who know tlie members of the board will be very slow to believe. The board is more cautious, because it learns by experience. Men and women come before it and with a weeping voice ' make solemn declarations' of repentance and determination to lea:! a new life and support themselves and their dependants, but, unfortunately, too mnny have failed to pro-fit-by their freedom,'and have committed dime, in some cases- even before reaching the places where work had been secured for them. Of course such conduct makes the board, with increased cxpe|ience, more cautious: 1 must say I have known of the happiest results to society, and the prisoners, by the board's exercise of its discretionary power. I am in deep sympathy with 'Mr. Budd in his noble, depressing work, and in his hope that parental and other good influence* will he more exercised to save men and women from crime and its necessarily miserable punishment within prison walls. F. (i. Ewikgtok.