PENAL REFORM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20110, 31 March 1928, Page 6

PENAL REFORM

THE HOWARD LEAGUE REMITS CARRIED BY CONFERENCE. [ Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON. Al arch 29. Remits carried to-day by delegates at the first annual conference of branches of the Howard League for Penal Reform were as follows: “That the Government appoint travelling psychiatric clinics for New Zealand as suggested by rhe Inspector-Gen-eral for Mental Hospitals (Dr Grey) in his recent report on mental deficiency, and that it also pass a registration Act for the protection of the feebleminded, with severe penalties for interference with them.’’

“That there is practically n.o difference between the treatment in prison for prisoners sentenced to hard labour and those offenders sentenced to reformative detention, and the League urges that those at present undergoing reformative detention be given special individual treatment whenever found practicable and that in future the distinction be made real in passing sentence. “That all accused persons should be apprised of their rights in the matter of obtaining legal aid and bail by notices in police cells, and that a rota of solicitors willing to defend without fee be also prominently displayed. That there be at least one woman placed on the Prisons’ Board, as has been successfully done in other countries. ’ ’

“That in a case of a maintenance order the Court should have power to place a Lien in the wages of defaulters in favour of their wives and children and collect the money as it becomes due. ’ ’ “That in our opinion better facilities should be available for such prisoners whether under remand or undergoing sentence, and that where medical or mental observation is ordered by the Courts, this should be undertaken not in a. prison but in a properly qualified institution. ’ ’

“That this League recommends that all senior warders and matrons be trained in a course of first aid.”

“That inasmuch as an accused person should be treated as innocent until proved guilty, special accommodation should be provided for him outside the ordinary prison system.”