DR. FINDLAY'S PRISON REFORM SCHEME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7078, 16 March 1910, Page 1

DR. FINDLAY'S PRISON REFORM SCHEME

INCENTIVES TO WORK

A comprehensive scheme of prison reform upon up-to-date and humane lines ha? been adopted by Cabinet This important matter has been before the Gov'ernment for a considerable time, and is tho subject -of a lengthy printed report -setting out the main lines of the scheme. In handing the report to the press, the Minister of Justice (Hon. Dr Findlay) explained that tome legislation would bo irequircd to give full effect to the scheme, and this would be introduced next session. Meanwhile, the present system .would be steadily and firmly moulded hipon the lines of the scheme with a *view to its complete operation ■ within a reasonable time. Any necessary outlay would require the special authorisation of Cabinet.

"I am satisfied," added Dr Findlay, that the scheme, when in full operation, ;will show a great saving over our present system, and also cause a great reduction in the average recidivism as indicated in the returns for the last ten jyears. I feel 6Ure that if New South 'Wales can achieve the splendid results Shown hy their present system, which follows similar up-to-date lines to those phown in the present scheme, New Zealand can achieve results at least as good." THE SCHEME DESCEIBED. . IMPORTANT EXTENSION OF THE INDETERMINATE SENTENCE. The memorandum containing • particulars of Dr Find lay's scheme states that the new system is based upon the principles of modern penal science as'those principles are expressed in the most efficient penal institutions throughout the world. It is. adapted to meet the present and I prospective requirements of this coun- | try, and also to utilise as far as possible the buildings, equipment}, and administrative machinery already existing. Besides State institutions, official recognition is given to the work of private agencies, and their assistance requisitioned wheresoever available and adaptable. The provisions of the indeterminate sentence are extended and made applicable,to all proper cases. "When-the indeterminate sentence is applied,: the release "of the prisoner depends upon himself. When the prisoner has served any determinate sentence imposed .upon him, and is able to prove that he is in a position to support himself and can give satisfactory assurances that he is no longer a menace to the peace and order of society, his release is granted. The 3uestions and conditions of release are etermined by a tribunal of suitable ex-* petrts. Except that in the case of any person convicted of a crime punishable by hard labour for life, the power of release shall be exercisable by the Gov-ernor-in-Cou-ncil. The determinate sentence will still be retained in all proper cases. Tho following institutions are provided for: ','■: Penitentiaries for male prisoners. An institution for sexual perverts and criminals of unsound mind.. An institution for- incorrigible drunkards.; Prison camps. A reformatory farm. * A penitentiary and reformatory for wonuen. ~ Most of the institutions existing at present will be : used in, this arrangement. Napier and Dune&in present so 'many difficulties on account of .their situation, design, and the impossibility of installing.necessary industries that, as soon as proper provision can be made, they will'be closed. : ' % _ PRIVATE AGENCIES. , By requisitioning the aid of private agencies, provision is rnade for sion of the probation system, and dealing with occasional and habitual drunkards. - i Privileges are placed within the attainment of "prisoners; but these can be gained only by industry and moral improvement. Concessions are granted to those physically or mentally -afflicted when such concessions are necessary in the interests of humanity. Indulgences are never granted. The discipline provides that throughout his whole waking time the prisoner is kept employed at industrial, or educational work or at proper exercises. Th.e standard of effort must compare favourably with that of the free labourer before any privileges or favourable recommendation , for release can bo gained.; The hope of reward ig.tho main stimulus to improvement. CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS.

Prisoners are to be classified upon a doub'e basis—firstly, as to type; secondly, as to conduct ■ and improvement. According to the first classification, prisoners are distributed to the divisions of the various institutions and agencies; according to the second classification, they are graded within those ' institutions. The classification according to type is as follows: —

1. Professional criminals. 2. Sexual perverts. 3. Criminals of unsound mind. -1. Drunkards. 5. Incipient and pseudo criminals. 6. Corrigible criminals. 7. The rest of the criminal class.' Females, — 8. Incorrigible. 9. Corrigible. 10. Incipient and pseudo criminals. 11. Criminals of unsound mind.

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTITUTIONS Institutions are classified in order to enable the more conoentrnted application of methods suited for,,the treatment of the different classes of 1 criminals. Each class requires special treatment, and were all classes to be confined in any one E risen differentiation of treatment would e impossible. Institutions are classified as follow : 1. Penitentiaries for the detention of criminals enumerated in class 1.

2. Criminal nsvlum for classes 2,3, and 11. 3. An inebriate institution for incorrigible drunkards.

UNIQUE SYSTEM OF INDUSTRIAL MARKS

i. Reformatories for class 6. 5. Camps. , 6. An institution equipped as a penitentiary and a reformatory for chasesS and 9. 7. Private institutions for classe 5. 10, and the occasional and habituals of class -1. REVIEW OP SENTENCES. The case of every prisoner sentenced to tho indeterminate sentence will be reviewed every three months by a competent expert tribunal, which may order nis release if it considers he is no longer a menace to the peace and order ' of society. , Coll ventilation is considered inadequate at present, and the report suggests that a window having eight superficial feet of glass and set in a hung sash would give ample light and ventilation. .Bars on the outside would provide sufficient protection against escape. NEW MARKS SYSTEM. In classifying the criminals at work care will be taken to give them occupations which will direct their minds into channels which are out Of sympathy with, and in no way suggest, their former manner of life. For instance, cracksmen will not be employed at stone-dres-sing or where, blasting is carried on. Classification will be upon two-methods, that of conduct and work. The conduct grades are three in number, and admission to the higher grades is gained by good conduct and industry, ana as a result, there are corresponding privileges. Each by performing his task, will earn credit marks, which have! a definite monetary value. - The relief of the dependants of a prisoner is made the first charge upon his earnings. Should those dependants be idle, immoral, or disorderly, ■they receive no benefit. Prison ere nave the opportunity of-., purchasing '. for themselves certain comforts, such as a strip of carpet (regulation size) for their cells, a picture, writing materials, certain articles of food, etc. Earnings spent in such personal comforts have not so great a purchasing power as; in the ordinary public markets. Prisoners may allow their earnings to accumulate, and receive them on discharge in such manner as the authorities decide. There is to be a debit side to the marks system, on which will be entered all bad marks for laziness, insubordination or.' breach of the rules, or feigned illness, self-imposed injury or "other" circumstance which causes the prisoner through his own fault to lose,time. Besides their monetary Value the marks will be considered as data for examination when the question of the prisoner's release is considered. - . . INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY. It is intended to employ all physicallycapable men on remunerative works, the industries suggested being stonemasomy, ironmoulding, tinware, making book covers, bootmaking. The men will gain an industrial training which will be useful to them upon their release, and the products ot their labour will be utilised by the public departments, and will not compete with the outside. market. . Education is to be provided for illiterates, enabling the fourth standard requirements in reading, writing and arithmetic to be passed. RELEASE! OF PRISONERS. When l a prisoner, having served any determinate sentence imposed on him, has made such progress that he is deemed to be no longer a menace to the peact. and order of society and his record is shown to be satisfactory, and he has incurred no debit for a prescribed period, and he can show that he is able to provide for his own support, he is granted his release upon -parol©. The question' date and conditions of release are determined by the tribunal previously re. .ferred to, to whom are submitted, full reports of each prisoner's progress every three months from the date of the expiry of such prisoner's probation. PRISON CAMPS. An extensionof the prison camp sya. tem is proposed, by which they will be graded, and provision made for the transference of disorderly men to a camp where life and work are less congenial and where, privileges are fewer. If insubordinate they are transferred to the penitentiary, from which they cannot return to a camp-until they, have secured a good conduct record for twelve months, and their transfer be otherwise approved of by the authorities. 'Hitherto the prisoners, at these 'camps have only been occupied in.tree-planting, but it is now proposed to.include stontquarrying, cement manufacture, brickn.aking. swamp draining, tree-planting, and other public works. ■..;..' •The camps for quarrying .building stone, manufacturing cement, and making bricks are to be situated in such parts of the Dominion as will enable their pro. ducts to be easily loaded in .scows and readily distributed to the principal cen- . "*" . DRUNKARDS! Drunkards are to be classified in fouidegrees, ranging from "casuals," who ger. drunk at rare intervals, to " incorrigibles,-" who, besides being habitual drunkards combine minor offences with their drunkenness. "Casuals "-'will be dealt with by fining, but " occasionals " and " habituals" ! are admitted to a'specified form of probation. The former are' committed by tho Magistrate to the custody of a Probation Officer, whose duty it is to see that his charge reports himself every evening not later than a prescribed hour at the institution of which the Probation Officer has charge."'. The offender remains in the institution all night, and leaves after breakfast in the morning, provided that he has occupation to go to. His wages are not paid to\ himself, but to his wife or a receiving officer, as the Magistrate thinks fit and directs. The first charge against his w-ages is for the cost of his board and lodging at the institution. As the offender gains the confidence of the Probation Officer and proves himself Worthy of trust, 'the officer has power to report to the Magistrate that his' charge is worthy of a of disciplinary oversight, -and, authority being given,'he may allow the offender to sleep at his own home on one or more specified nights in the week. If this privilege is abused, the Probationary Officer can summarily withhold it. reI porting his action as soon as possible to the Magistrate for endorsement.' An-habitual drunkard'is admitted to

a term of probation under moi-o stringent regulations. He is committed to the Probation Officer, who keeps him in clo=e detention, giving him only such liberty as he may deem expedient, submitting to the Magistrate a report of the conditions of .the form of detention imposed. The Magistrate will endorse the report or otherwise according to his discretion. Incorrigible drunkards are committed to imprisonment in a State inebriate institution. INEBEIATE INSTITUTION. This institution is for the detention of incorrigible inebriates —persons who axe convicted of minor crimes , which are in themselves the result of excessive drinking; such pen-sons being, considered, unsuitable for detention under probationary discipline.- The institution is in all respects a prison camp, except that this one class of offenders is alone committed to it. The purpose in sentencing prisoners to this institution is that they maybe enabled to break the habit of inebriacr, recover their bodily health and strength, and cultivate habits of sustained industry. To accomplish this, industries are estahlislied which provide for. as much outdoor work as possible. Vegetable-raising, fruit-growing, and some of the lighter branches of farming are the indnstries best suited for this .purpose. It is necessary that a period of not leas than twelve months should be spent under this discipline, and, when release is granted,, the period of parole should bo for a similar term. REFORMATORIES. . Reformatories are to be of two classes—(a) agricultural and '"(b) industrial. The Agricultural Reformatory is on a site Which has been selected, is near enough to means of. transit to avoid the cost of carriage becoming a weighty expense. It is far enough away from other population to avoid intercommunication, laxity of discipline, or facilities of escape. 'About 1300 acres' (possibly more) is the area of the farm. The soil is fair to good average, so that .prisoners are able to learn how-to break in. rough, land, and the use of fertilisers. The necessity for fertilising is not so great as to constitute a burden. Average- natural advantages and disadvantages exist, so that prisoners may learn how to avail themselves of the one and-,.how to secure themselves against the other. Farming will be carried" on in all its branches, including the raising of vegetables, cropping, fruit, .bee-farming sheep-farming, dairying, fattening, and poultrv-farming. ' , " Training is to be given m such handicrafts as blaeksmithing and carp-entiry as are essential for the economical working of a farm. The. m«n will also be educated in the keeping • of accounts, simple mensuration, to correspond upon ■matters of business and to express themselves clearly in English, and how to appreciate and understand English standard authors. INDUSTRIAL REFORMATORY. When the Agricultural Reformatory is fairly established, the accommodation will be so extended so as to allow for the establishment of a reformatory carried ont on a purely industrial and educational system. The two reformatories will occupy the same site, and.be placed under the same administration, the difference being that some men will be applied to industrial tasks, and others to agricultural. The industrial training provided for agricultural inmates will still be carried on. There will,-in fact, be but one reformatory, having the two sides, the one industrial, the other agricultural. FEMALE INSTITUTIONS. Provision is made for the setting-apart

of one central prison for the detention of all females sentenced to imprisonment. This building is divided into tw.o main divisions, one conducted as a : reformatory.'" To the reformatory are committed all" females whose case is regarded by the court as being hopeful. Generally speaking, such cases aire ..those whose offence consists in drunkenness or crimes arising directly therefrom, ■-. and _ those whose crimes arise from prostitution. The women: are to be thoroughly instructed in all branches of domestic service and housekeeping, advanced classes in cookery, dressmaking, and millinery being provided for those who show special aptitude, and who'' are likely to earn their living at such employment. Instruction is also given, in.the laws of health, njirsing the sick, . rendering first aid, in the care of infants, and in . the raising of pot, plants,, and cultivating flowers.

Inmates are to be discharged on parole of not less than twelve months. , The other institution for females will be a penitentiary for women , deemed" .habitual arid incorrigible criminals. The inmates will be employed at such iudnstries as knitting; socks (by machinery) fov the prisons'* service; making shirts for prisoners, and patients in hospitals; making mattresses and pillows for the public service;, hemming sheets and-pil-low cases' for the pnblic service; laundry work (the installation of large rotary washers driven by machinery would en,able the prison to do the washing for -tha hospital besides the prison washing); raising vegetables, and keeping poultry.

Education! and, religious advantages are to be provided. Release is granted ■when it appears to' the authorities that the prisoner .will behave- herself, and wheni suitable- .employment has been found, and '• proper • supervision of her conduct for a period of not less than twelve months from date of release has been provided •'■- THE PROBATION SYSTEM.

, Interesting extensions of the probation system are proposed, ; under which approved private agencies of reform will be registered, and receive persore committed to -their charge by the courts. They will receive a Government subsidy. Probation, is to consist of three tke first being '•simple probation," under which persons are not disturbed in. their domestic or industrial relations, but are under the care of an officer, whose duty is to see that his chargefulfils the obligations imposed by the court.

The second form, "Night detention." means that the person is not otherwise disturbed in his domestic or industrial relations, except that he must report at the institution of the agency at a prescribed hour, arid not leave again until after breakfast. His wages are paid to his wife, or to a receiving officer, as the court may direct, and a' charge is made against him to reimburse the. agency for expenses incurred. . "Close Detention" means that the inmate spends the whole of his time at the ir.&titution, being allowed just such liberty as may be decided upoji.