REMISSION OF SENTENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 12

REMISSION OF SENTENCES.

PRISONS BOARD SYSTEM. A REPLY TO CRITICISM. A reply to criticism of the Prisons Board system of releasing men from prison before the expiration of their sentences was made by the Rev. E. C. Budd yesterday at the annual meeting of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. " I can state positively," said Mr. Eudd, "that under the board the lot of the offender is harder, the sentence longer, than before the board began to operate. In practice, prisoners serving definite haid labour sentences are seldom discharged before the expiration of their sentences. The question of remission of sentences is one that greatly concerns the prisoner and bis relatives, especially if he be a married man. I have always contended that for good conduct and industry, a prisoner should receive some reward. At present, we are told there are no remissions, except what may or may not be given by the Prisons Board, which meets at Auckland once a year. It is not unusual for a man to receive no remission at all. " A few years ago, with good conduct and industry, 25 per cent, of the sentence was remitted, and upon discharge a man was absolutely free. The position to-day is that upon discharge before the expiration of the term of imprisonment, lie is on probation, and the discharge is conditional He has to fulfil certain conditions set out in his license, and report to the probation officer, failing which he may be arrested and returned to prison."