PRISON REFORMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10513, 22 July 1910, Page 4

PRISON REFORMS.

[By Electkic Telegraph—Copyright ] (Pep. Pi?ess Association.) Received July 22, at 5.45 a.m. London. July 21.

During the .debate on the prisons vote, Mr Churchill outlined the prospective revision of the prison system. He proposes io reduce the number of first offenders put in gaol and allow :;. period of grace for the payment i f fines: the introduction of defaulters' drill for offenders between 16 and 21, who are not guilty of serious offences : and tliat- imprisonment for those under 21 be restricted to a month. Mr Churchill said it had been decided that suffragettes be not compelled to wear prison clothing or be conipulsorily searched and other regulations wenrelaxed. This also applies to passive resistors. Solitary confinement, except in the case of recidivists, will be abandoned. The Department will encourage the prisoner*' aid societies, and the whole" svstem of police supervision now suspended over ticket ot leave men will terminate. A sum oi C/otM per annum will be devoted to the rehabilitation.