PRISON REFORM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9915, 2 August 1910, Page 1

PRISON REFORM.

CLASSIFICATION AND PROBATION. [From Our Cofjiespoxdent.] WELLINGTON, August- 1. Notice of the introduction of amending legislation to carry out the Bon Dr Fihdlav's prison reform scheme will be given 'to-morrow in . the Legislative Council. The Bill will seek to extend the power of Judges to impose indeterminate sentences. It is proposed by the Minister to have every indeterminate sentence periodically reviewed by a competent tribunal, which may order the prisoner's release if it considers ho 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 the more scientific and humane methods which havo, wherever adopted, resulted in a marked decrease in the average recidivism or reconviction of offenders. When the indeterminate sentence, so big a factor in the svsteni, is applied, the release of the prisoner depends upon himself. When he has served any determinate sentence imposed upon 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, ho will be allowed his freedom. The following institutions are necessary to provido~proper classification and opportunities for reform :•—Penitentiaries for inalo prisoner?, an institution' for sexual perverts and criminals _ of unsound mind, an institution for incorrigible drunkards, prison camps : reformatory farm, penitentiary and re-formatrOi-y for women. Wherever possible, the existing buildings of the Prison Department will ho utilised, but Diuiedin and Napier Gaols are so unsuitable that they will be closed. Male criminals will be classified into seven and women into four divisions, iin-'l. (-:ire will lif rakt'ii that their oeeu-

pations will not be on'liues suggesting their criminal career. For instance, a safe-breaker will not be permitted to exercise his peculiar knowledge of explosives in the prison quarry, nor will the expert burglar be allowed to Jiandle the jemmy in a stone-dressing yard. Good conduct and industry will result in the increase of privileges and the earning of credit marks having a definite money value. The object of the latter is to give the prisoner means to keep himself honestly while he looks for a position upon re-entering tho world, and also to do away with the hardships upon criminals' families which often follow the breadwinners' commi+al to gaol. The relief of the prisoner's dependents will be made a first charge upon his earnings. Prison camps will, be utilised for more purposes than tree-planting. Camps will be located in positions suitable for carrying out such useful works as quarrying building stone, cement manufacture, brickmaking, swampdraining and other public works.'Every able-bodied man will be able to utilise his prison hours to good advantage in the way of earning something which can be turned to account honestly outside/

One of the most important of the new institutions is the prison farm situated_ at Tokanui, near Te Kuiti. It adjoins the block of land acquired for the future site of a great mental hospital. The farm contains a thousand acres of second-grade soil, and will require plenty of labour to improve. Tho Government has already authorised expenditure upon preliminaries, and in the coming summer gangs of prisoners will bo employed on the ground roadmaking and building. A training in all branches of farming, including sheep-farming, dairying and cropping, will be given. » The probation system is to he remodelled- and largely extended, the treatment of drunkards completely changed and other innovations provided, all with the object of encouraging offenders to improve their wavs and providing' the most practical means of helping them in that direction.