THE TENTH INTERNATIONAL PENAL CONGRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21214, 20 December 1930, Page 18

THE TENTH INTERNATIONAL PENAL CONGRESS.

TO TUB EDITOE. Sib,—-There has been no word <p far in our papers of the important International Penal Congress which took place in Prague last August; and, therefore, your readers may be interested m reading some of ■ its recommendations, as re-ported-m the Spectator of September 6 of this year. , The congress “welcomed the probation .. system, where it i» safeguarded by adequate observation' of the delinquent, and the insistence, where necessity, upon certain conditions. ... It recognised that the security of safety will bo best achieved by making the penalty imposed the means of educating the prisons, morally. Intellectually, and physically, apd that, .In order to attain this, it Will be necessary for prison officials to be selected for their ability as teachers and necessitate the special training of candidates for these posts and their adequate remuneration." Further, It recognised the need of these officials being aided in their dutiee by unofficial workers, “chosen (or their personal qualities of. mind end heart." , . . It was likewise agreed that “. ... a portion of a prisoner’s penitentiary -treatment should -be hie treatment for a certain time after his release, and that his sentence.should be only partly served in prison,\ and should include a period on parole," On the treatment of the juvenile offender,'it recommended "-the early use of scientific knowledge in coming to a decision as how best to train such offender wisely and-Well." , .1 v . The Leagueof Nations has now Invited suggestions both from the International Penal Commission and the Howard League for Penal Reform towards, some international standards bn this important matter. Our New Zealand branch of the latter body bee already, from time to time, put forward recommendations entirely in agreement with those given above, ■ and w© are glad to Teel that-in a matter eo important aa the protection of society' through the prevention of crime and the right treatment of delinquents, we are new proved to be neither insular in outlook, out-of-date in ideas, nor extravagant in the reforms we urge.—l am, .. etc., Robert M. Laiko, ' Chairman of the Executive, New Zealand Howard League for Penal Reform.