PRISON ADMINISTRATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1930, Page 6

PRISON ADMINISTRATION.

Although statistics show that on the whole the administration of the ijrleons in this country is successful in its reformative effects, it looks as though there may be room for improvement in certain details. The Howard League has drawn attention to the possibility of improving the Borstal system and is asking for a reorganisation of what is known as reformative detention in gaol. So far as the Borstal system is concerned statistics show fairly satisfactory results, something more than 80 per cent, of those committed to those institutions being saved from further crime. The Howard League points out, however, that in Great Britain conditions in Lirstal institutions arc less severe than in the New Zealand establishment, and/ that the care of the innuites after their release is better organised than in the Dominion. It maintains that while the English method is to treat Borstal institutions as practically,, schools for the regeneration and training of their inmates, in this country they are practically prisons for tile young, and the league maintains that if the English methods were applied here the percentage of recoveries Would be greater than it,is at present'. Before comparison between the two systems can be adequate it would be necessary po see how far the probation system applies in the two countries. Here it is given very wide application, and is found successful in over 90 per cent, of the eases to which it is applied. This may mean that'in New Zealand the committals to Borstal institutions are of a different nature from those in Great Britain, and that a severer type of training is necessary here. Despite the fairly satisfactory results achieved it is well that the system should be examined and criticised, provided the criticism is (sound and not sentimental. The reclamation of tlie youthful offender is a very important work and the rehabilitation or development of character demands the best of efforts. Experience has shown that each generation ■brings its own problems and that the treatment of moral disease can no more stand still than that of physical disorders. At present there are only two Borstal institutions in the Dominion. Whether these lire sullicieiit for the necessary classification of young offenders is open to question, and of course jtlio provision of more establishments is largely a matter of pounds, (shillings and pence. Complacency is a matter to be avoided, us is n stereotyped acceptance that all is well as it can be, and on this account such organisations as the Howard League are rendering good service and their criticisms should be given heed. In regard to reformative detention little is known by the general public, either Ub to the details of the punishment involved or the rcelanmtory results of its application. It might be wise for the Minister in charge of the Prisons Department to give Parliament some details in regard to this and to indicate whether any alteration in the system is desirable or practicable. 'There is no reason to think the department io not desirous of emphasising its reformative work. That is not to say' no improvements in its methods are possible.