PRISON REFORMER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22194, 22 August 1935, Page 11

PRISON REFORMER

DEATH IN ENGLAND FOUNDED BORSTAL SYSTEM SIR E. RUGGLES-BRISE ' , (Received Aucust 21, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, Aug. 30 The sudden death occurred on Sun, day of Sir Evelyn Ruggies-Brise, who was chairman of the Prison Commission from 1895 to 1921, and president of the International Prison Commission in 1910. He was 77 years old. Deceased was associated with many reforms in prison administration which attracted attention and emulation in foreign countries, including the establishment of the Borstal system, the method of preventive detention, and instruction for prisoners in useful trades. Tho early days of his administration saw the final abolition of the treadmill. j Tributes are paid in the. press to de- | ceased's work. The late Sir Evelyn John RugglesBris;e was a son of Colonel Sir Samuel Bri&e E uggles-Brise, at one time a member of Parliament, and Marianne, daughter of Sir W. Bowyer-Smith, Baronet. He was born at Spains Hall, Finehingfield, Essex, on December 6, 1857, and was educated at Eton, where he played in the Eton XI., 1875-76, and at Bailiol College. Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in 1880, with first class in the Final School, Litera Humaniores. In the following year" lie entered the Home Office, having gained a clerkship in open competition. Between ISB2 and 1891 he was private secretary to a suo cesidon of distinguished Secretaries _of State for that department, including Sir William Harcourt. Lord Cross, Mr. Chilaers. and Lord Llaniaff, then Mr. Henry Matthews. In 1891 he was appointed a member of the Prison Comi mission for England and Wales, and ] later became chairman- of that importj ant board, in connection with which his ; services obtained high recognition. Ho ! was created a Companion of the Order | of the Bath in 1900, and two years later he was promoted to Knight Comma ndership of the same Order (Civil I Division).

Sir Evelyn was British representative at the Prison Congresses in Paris in 1895; Brussels in 1900; Budapest in 1905, and Washington in 1910. He was 'nce-president of the Borstal Association, of which, as well as of the Borstal system for the treatment of young prisoners, he was the founder* and was also chairman of the Central Association for the Aid of Discharged Prisoners.