PRISON REFORM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12214, 2 August 1910, Page 2

PRISON REFORM.

♦ (From our Parliamentary Reporter.) . , ' . WELLINGTON, this day. An important scheme of prison reform is contained m a measure that will be introduced m the Legislative Council this week by the Hon. Dr. Findlay. 'L'he measure seeks to extend the power of judges to impose indeterminate wentences. It is proposed to have every indeterminate sentence periodically reviewed by a competent trifrunal, which, may order a prisoner's release if it considers he is no longer a menace to the peace and good order of society. The primary object of the scheme is to do away with the purely punitive idea of imprisonment, replacing it by more scientific and humane methods, which have, wherever adopted, resulted m a, marked decrease m tli© average recidivism or uecoiivietion of offenders. When, an indeterminate sentence, so big a factor m the system, is applied, the release, of a prisoner depends upon himself. When he has served any determinate sentence imposed on him, and is able to prove that he is able to support himself,- and can give satisfactory assurances that he will pursue industry, and not crime, if released, he will be allowed his freedom. The following institutions are necessary to provide proper classification and opportunities for reform: Penitentiaries for male prisoners, institutions for sexual perverts and criminals of unsound mind, institution for incorrigible drunkards, prison camps, reformatory farm, penitentiary, and reformatory for women.' Wherever it is possible the existing pri son buildings will be utilised, but the Dunedin and Napier gaols are unsuitable, and they w.ill be closed. Male criminals will be classified into seven and women into four divisions. Care will be taken so that their occupations will not be on lines suggesting their criminal career. For instance, a safe-breaker will not be permitted to exercise his peculiar knowledge of explosives m the prison quarry, nor will an expert burglar be allowed to handle a jemmy m the etone-dressing yard. Good conduct and industry will secure an increase of privilege, and arrange for credit marks having a definite money value. The object of the latter is to give a prisoner the means to kteep himself honestly while he looks for a position upon re-entering the world, and also to do away with- the hardships upon criminals which" oftert follow a bread-winner's committal to gaol. Relief of a prisoner's dependents will be made a first charge upon his earnings. Prison camps will be utilised for more purposes than, tree planting. The camps will be located m positions suitable for the carrying out of such useful works as buildings m stone and cement, main-, factures, briekmaking, swamp draining, and other public works. Every ablebodied man will be able to utilise his prison hours to good advantage m the way of earning something which- can be turned to account honestly outside. One of the most important new institutions is a prison farm, to be situated at Tokaniu, near Te Ruiti. It adjoins the block of land acquired for the future site of a. great mental hospital farm. It ■contains 1000 acres of second-class soil, and will require plenty of labor to improve it. The Government has already authorised expenditure 5 upon the preliminaries, and m the coming summer gangs of prisoners will be employed on the ground roadmaking and building Training m all branches of farming including sheepfarming, dairying, 'and cropping, will be given. The -probation system is to be remodelled and largely extended. The treatment of drunkards will be completely changed, and other innovations provided, all with .the object of encouraging offenders to improve their ways, and providing most of the practical means of helping them m thatdireclion, t