NEW REGULATIONS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 28 June 1926, Page 5

NEW REGULATIONS.

CONCERNING GAOLS IM U.S.A. CAUSES INCREASE IN CONFESSIONS. 13* ruai AMMOCIAMIOX—COFtBIW* NEW YORK, June 27. The unusual phenomenon of hundreds of criminals, now facing trial, changing their plea of not guilty to guilty, or voluntarily offering confessions, has occurred here during the past fortnight as the result of the impending changes in the parole system under which the convicts will be allowed only very little time off for good behaviour. Sing Sing, America’s most noted gaol, has within the last three dayd been filled to overflowing. The occupants now number 1561, the largest number in ten years, and is expected to reach 1800 before the middle of next week.

The capacity of the cells is only 1,540.

The parole system, under the new law will keep an offender gaoled for a year while previously he would have served only 3 months if well behaved, while a man with ten years sentence will be compelled; to servjj eight yeqrs and four months, while previously he would have been released after five years for good behaviour. The new system becomes effective on Wednesday.