CRIME PREVENTION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21157, 5 July 1940, Page 9

CRIME PREVENTION

PROBATIONARY SYSTEM ETHICAL TRAINING OF YOUTH CHIEF OFFICER’S OPINION (Dy Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Thursday The chief probation officer, Mr B. L. Dallard, in his annual report to the Minister of Justice, which was tabled in the House of Representatimes today, states: “ There can be no doubt whatever that crime prevention is infinitely more to be desired from a sociological point of view than crime correction.” The report records that the number of persons on probation under 20 years of age dealt with by the Courts in the past four years has risen from 117 to 285, and adds: “ This surely connotes a moral deterioration or that there is something lacking in the ethical training of young people.” Inappropriate Impulses The chief probation officer states that he has stressed on more than one occasion—and in this view has the support of the most experienced authorities overseas—that the more generous im'pulses of the law are not appropriate to offences of a grave, brutal or deliberate character. It was thus surprising to see that there had been an increase in the number of cases admitted to probation where the offences had been of a grave sexual nature. “ It is axiomatic,” the report adds, “ that for a system to have the backing and confidence of public opinion the public conscience must be satisfied with the treatment meted out to an offender, not out of any sadistic desire for retribution, but to guard jealously and to ensure the maintenance of a generally accepted code of conduct. Reasonably Satisfactory “ It has to be recognised that there are definite limits to the efficacy of probation in certain cases, for, while some will respond and can be adequately supervised on probation, there are undoubtedly some, who, for the protection of society, require segregation.” Stating that during the year probationers have in the main responded reasonably satisfactorily, the report emphasises the importance of finding employment for these persons. It was satisfactory to observe that £4986 in reparation and costs had been paid in during the year. This amount constituted a record.