PRISON REFORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17068, 28 July 1917, Page 8

PRISON REFORM

ADDRESS BY SIR ROBERT STOUT. At a well-attended meeting at Brooklyn Sir Robert Stout gave an interesting and instructive address on "Prison Reform." Sir Robert said that nearly one-third of the offenders who came before the courts were abnormal. They might be physically too weak to control themselves, or they might be mentally or morally weak, or all three. All tho training in the world would not make moral defectives any better. Their only hope was the "impulsive power of a new affection." The Probation Act, introduced in 1886, had proved a great success. In Auckland, the probation officer had shown 90 per cent, admitted to probecame reformed. The reformatory detention system, also gave prisoners every encouragement to reform. Men sentenced to two years might be released after six months, and by tairing caro of them, and placing them under certain restrictions,' they frequently were saved from a criminal career. At the present time the Prison Board was allowing some to enlast, and of a number who recently left for tho front the reports were very favourable, except in The best prison for reformatory detention was in Inveicaxgill. Ho had seen tho men at work, healthy and cheerful. They were reclaiming land in Invercargill, which would prove a useful asset to tho State, and the knowledge that they were engaged on useful work of that HnH gave them a certain interest in it. Sir Robert also referred to the tree-plantin«-camps. At Waipau, especially, the situation, climate, and surroundings were • all that could be desired. Then at Te Awamutu, farming was carried on successfully over 600 acres being under cultivation, and the men working in the open air, amid pleasant surroundings, thrive welL Another farm at Paparoa, near Christohurch, gave congenial employment under good natural conditions to many who could not look after themselves. Habitual criminals were next referred to. Their sentence was indeterminate, but the Prison Board had power to release at any timo. These prisoners were allowed to earn at least 6d a week, and compelled to save it till £2 accuniulated j the balance might then be spent. Some of them saved all thoir earnings, and when release camo had something to start on. Esprit do corps among the men was not wanting, as they (sometimes gave part of their savings to a fellow prisoner going out to make a fresh start. Sir Robert said the men must have hope held out to them, or they could never bo redeemed—oven the worst cases would not be without some hope of icIcaso. If prison reform were to bo effectively dealt with, they had to go away back to _ remove rhe causes. It was just sis we lived, the hereditary influences and environment that would create tho type of human being that would appear in the world. Ho .exhorted his hearers to have high social and moral ideals, to act that their actions could be a rule for humanity. They should know their duty in regard to tho drink problem. Quito one-third of the prisoners in our gaols could traco their fall to drink. If people recognised their duty in this matter aJono thoy could render a service to humanity by abstaining from drink for tho sako of their weaker brothers, and trying to have tho temptation removed. Another effective preventive of crime was cleaner municipal life; better sanitation, and a better moral atmosphere. The form of amusement and the frequency of attendance at such places alllowed to children did not tend to their elevation, either mentally or morally. Higher ideals should be set before them in regard to tho use of their time, and cultivation of their habits and tastes. _ The world would bo a different place, said Sir Robert, in closing, if we were more simple in our tastes and habits, more honest in our dealings, and cultivated more love and beauty in our lives.