PRISON REFORM

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9720, 24 July 1917, Page 8

PRISON REFORM

ADDRESS BY CHIEF JUSTICE. Sir Robert Stout gave on instructive and interesting address on Prison Reform at the Brooklyn Men's Own on Sunday afternoon. He dealt with the causes of crime, and advocated cleaner municipal life and higher social and moral ideals to prevent the development of criminal instinct. The environment of the young in the cities and the indulgence in’ amusements that had no elevating tendency were largely responsible for the recruits that filled the criminal ranks. The judicial authorities had to deal with the offenders of the law, and Sit Robert described the various systems of reformative treatment'in vogue in the Dominion. The reformatory for the detention of prisoners at Invercargill was successfully carried on, as were the tree-planting camps at Waipa and Kaingaroa, and the farms at Te Awarautu and Paparoa (Invercargill). The Prison Board had done a . great deal for the criminal in New Zealand, studying cases individually, and encouraging men to make a fresh start by mitigating their sentences and helping them when released. This work, like that of the probation officers’, was saving many from continuing a criminal career. Sir Robert said he received letters every week from men 1 who were thankful for the help and sympathy shown them. He urged those present to so act that their actions could b© taken as a ml© for society, and to assist in removing the temptation of drink, to which one-third ’ of those who came before the courts could traco their first lapse. Sir Robert was accorded a vote of thanks for his .interesting and instructive address, and a collection was taken up in aid of the Prisoners’ Aid Society. _ Rev. W. S. Rollings occupied the chair,- and a solo was sung by Mr N. B. McIsaac.