The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1910. PRISON REFORM.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12588, 19 August 1910, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1910. PRISON REFORM.

In* \ic\v of Dr. Findlay's proposals for the leform of our prison system, it is interesting to note that Vancouver is ic-bntemplafing reform along similar lines. It has been found there, as in other cities, that throughout th-e year a 0011----siderablo number of men appear agaiu and again in the police court, aro ftned or imprisoned for a short time, only to reappear later nnd tako the same dose. It haa been found also that there is another, class of citizen whose case is very different, and to meet this case Cleveland, Canada, jias established what is called a '"'sunrise court." ■■If a citizen ■with a previous good record, who is a useful member of the community, falls into tilt, bands, of the police /through some indiscretion, it is'thought unwise to line him up at 10 o'clock in the morning with the usual collection of drunks and other offenders. It is felt

that the publicity and humiliation to which the old offenders are hardened sorvo no good purpose in the case of the other man, and may do him a great injury. ISo, arrangemonts have bsen-mad© to iiavu a court held at 6 o'clock in the morning, from which the public is excluded or the proceedings of which, at least, are not published in the newspapers. Ottawa is already discussing the Cleveland experiment, and the editor of the Journal suggests that there- may..be a great deal in it. "In fact," ho says, "the- Cleveland police believe the lesson is far. more .effective when given in this-way'than when so much publicity attaches to it, for in tho old way of doing things, certain woak characters when once:-stamped before tho community as petty criminals, loss all hope because of the- public humiliation and gravitate to the criminals where they are at least sure of sympathy and where public opinion does not 'stamp them as something to be shunned and avoided." It might be said that such a proceeding would bo a sort of discrimination and would offend the principle that all men a,ro an equal before the law. But, as a matter of fact, the law is based upon commonsense and aims at the greatest good of tho greatest number, as is evidently based'on the knowledge that in Cleveland, as in other cities, tho police court records show that to a great degree the ■court is maintained for the- purpose or dealing with oicT offenders who cannot bo improved by what the court does, no matter with how much good judgment its operations may be directed. Indeed, it would appear that if a similar practice had been in vogue in New Zealand the recent Christchurch scandal, with its unpleasant .consequences, would not have occurred. Thero is in Canada today considerable disciission of this problem, and there, as here, it is agreed by many that when a man lias appeared in tho police court more than a few timer, ivithin a given period, it would be bettor for both him and his relatives or dependents, and for the State, if lie wero removed to a government institution and restrained there for a reasonable period during which period he would bo compelled to do work in the open air wl'.f-reby he would not only benefit physically but might earn actually more money in tho long run than ho would have wore he permitted to go his own gait. There is no longer any doubt that the ordinary system under which a man is fined or imprisoned cannot be said to give satisfactory results As has been pointed out again and again, the imprisonment dtfes not eradicate evil habits, and it is a hardship for tho man's family rather than for him., whereas if a fine be imposed, the chances aro that it is paid by hard working relatives or dependents whose desperation or affection leads thorn again and igain to go to the rescue of the unfortunate. It is quitn apparent that under the present, system there is a continual waste and lack of effectiveness which ny? not creditable, and it is gratifying to know that our legislators arc moving

on pi'ogror.'-ive im-cs