PRISON REFORM IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10779, 30 May 1911, Page 4

PRISON REFORM IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

HUMANE CONSIDERATIONS. [By Electric Teleoraph-^-Cofyright.] (Per Press Association.) Received Mav 30, at S.OO a.m. Sydney, May 20. -Mr flolman. lecturing Jiefore the Royal Society, outlined important prison reforms. He said he had found that the hard labor diet was inadequate lor a strong man. and it would In- altered. Consumptive prisoners are to receive outdoor scientific treatment. Li order that prisoners' wives and families shall not suffer prisoners will he compelled to do remimerative work and thus repair the wrong done to society. Air Holman said he would introduce the experiment of afforestation by ex-pri-soners, as was done in New Zealand, where the scheme, has proved highly successful. He''intended to establish free camps conducted by the Govern-, meiit, where released men might ,:go straight from gaol and earn eight shillings' a day. This would flq wonders to complete the reformatory system,: The Minister is also arranging for the ;abolition ;6f;:the Supreme Court, circuits ■iri the., country ;l! instead he will send judges shortly after a prisoner's commitment ;pn a ; serious charge in order tb"p'reVen't iirijiisi*%aiting and congestion of. litigation in Sydney. A Court 'of 'Criminal Appeal will be established also, and the Executive will be relieved of the duty of. decidhtg whether capital sentences shall be carried out, transferring' that responsibility to a tribunal of Supreme Court judges, presided over bv the Chief Justice.