DOMINION PENAL SYSTEM

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 9

DOMINION PENAL SYSTEM

DEFENCE BY THE MINISTER REPLY GIVEN HOWARD LEAGUE. “SYSTEM ENVIED BY BRITAIN.” By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 23. In view of the fact that Mr. de la Mare is not only a prominent member of the Howard League but also a member of the University Senate, and there being a possibility that his criticism may be taken too seriously and convey an erroneous impression, the Minister of Justice, Mr. J. G. Cobbe, to-day replies categorically to a number of Mr. de la Mare’s statements at the league meeting. .The Minister points out that the system of reformative detention has been in vogue for 20 years and fewer then 25 per cent, of the persons so sentenced have again been in trouble. “Since the Borstal Act was passed in 1923 only 12 per cent, of the young persons released have again been in conflict with the law,” Mr. iCobbc says. “These results are ahead of anything in the world.

“A responsible British officer on a recent tour of inquiry into the penal administrations of the Dominions and America stated he was envious of our system and that we had nothing to learn from England. In respect of our Borstal system it is as absurd as untrue to say that no trades are taught. There are 30 tradesmen instructors on the staff and several voluntary instructors visit the institutions.”

The Minister defends the Prisons Board as an absolutely impartial body from the very personnel, it being presided over by a judge of the Supreme Court and the membership comprising reputable persons experienced in law, medicine, psychiatry and criminology and with a good understanding of human nature.