PENAL REFORM.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 387, 18 October 1927, Page 18

PENAL REFORM.

To the Editor, “White Ribbon.” Madam, It has been suggested that, while the W.C.T.U. is interested in the above subject (which includes Prison Reform, but is much wider and seeks especially to prevent crime), its branches are as yet somewhat at sea as to practical help in the matter. What exactly, 1 am ask«*d, can they DO about it? Well, as one who is still a prison worker and visitor, and who also sees something of our offenders after they emerge from prison, I would like to suggest that branches can, right off, 1. Pray, with ail their might, for the true welfare of all prisoners and offenders. 2. Each appoint one member to take special interest in the matter and act as representative for the branch. 3. Pay that member's subscription (only hali-a-crown a year) to the nearest branch of the HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM, so that she can then apply, freely and direct and of right as a member of it, to its Local Hon. Secretary. There are branches now in Dunedin, Tiinaru. Christchumi. Wellington, Hamilton. New Plymouth and Auckland; while both Wanganui and Palmerston North are organising also. And I will gladly forward name and address of local H< n. Secretaries on application. 4. Where there is a Prison or Borstal, instruct the representative to go and set* its Superintendent, and ask if there is any service the branch could render. There are main prisons for men (who are quite as much our human concern as women, and with whose conduct women’s happiness is intimately bound up) at Paparua (Christchurch), Wellington, New* Plymouth, Wanganui (for old men) ana Auckland; with prison camps near Trentham, and on the Waimarino Plain's, and a Borstal for young boys at Invercargill, for older lads near Te Awamutu. There are women's prisons in Auckland and Addington (Christchurch), and a Borstal for girls at Point Ha Is well, Wellington. After-care is desperately needed in connection w f ith most of these, and is scarcely organised at all. except from Point Halswell.

5. Watch the newspapers, taking note especially of offences by those said to be mentally feeble or strange; also of local offenders. As opportunity may offer, get in touch with the relatives, and try to study the case a bit, with a view to turning the bad citizen into a better one. The study of the individual case is the very best eye-opener possible. 6. Press in every possible way for proper treatment of such offenders as are said to be either feeble-minded or mentally queer, but not insane. Bombard the local M.P. about it. The first should have protection of some kind for life, the second should be put under observation by qualified persons. Imprisonment only makes both classes worse, besides being unjust treatment. lam most thankful to say that the efforts of the HOWARD LEAGUE on behalf of senile persons, who, to our national disgrace, have hitherto been not infrequently sent to prison, have just been crowned with success, and we are assured that this will not be done in future. Which show's the value, and the need, of public concern on behalf of offenders, who are quite as much our “neighbours” as are the law-abiding. I could say much more, but feel certain everyone will agree that this is plenty for a start. Should anyone, however, wish for more, I shall he delighted, Mrs Editor, to do my best to supply it direct on application. Yours, etc., B. E. BAUGHAN, Hon. Cor. Secretary, N.Z. Howard League for Penal Reform, Clifton Sumner, September Ist, 1927.