PENAL REFORM
Sir,—In Thursday’s 11 Chronicle** there is a report of the trial of a man by Mr Justice Reed in Auckland. Th( judge is reported to have said: "Yot are one of the most dangerous types ol sexual maniacs,” and thereupon sentenced him to five years’ hard labour. If it is true that this man is a "sexual maniac,” it is obvious that imprisonment for five years is quite the wrong kind of treatment for him. Nothing will bo done to cure his “mania” while in prison, and, at the end of five years, he will be turned loose on society once more. The Howard League for Penal Reform has for one of its chief aims tho scientific classification of delinquents. This man is no ordinary criminal. He should be examined, mcdicaUy and psychologically, and then there would be* some chance of the proper treatment being applied. The Judge was not at fault, in inflicting the absurd penalty the law is at fault, and all thinking people should join together to got it altered, so as to protect both the “maniac" and society. FRANK E. MORTON. Hon. Sec. Howard League for Penal Reform. Wangamui Branch. November 3.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19990, 5 November 1927, Page 6
Word Count
198PENAL REFORM Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19990, 5 November 1927, Page 6
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