PRISON REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1267, 24 October 1911, Page 2

PRISON REFORM.

'A CHAPLAIN'S VIEWS. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, October 23. The Rev. E. C. Build, prison chaplain, writes as follows in (ho "Herald":— In the well-known "Psalm of Life," Longfellow tells us "Things aro not what they soom." Those who have an intimnto knowledgo of the Prison Department lcnow the truth of the statement. When a judge of tho Supremo Court sentences a lad or young man to thrco or five years' reformative treatment, lie naturally supposes ho will rcceivc reformative treatment; but that special treatment by no means follows upon such .1 sentence. \Vo have numbers of such men hero whoso treatment is exactly tho same as that of those sentenced in the ordinary way. In fact, (hero is no reformative treatment. In the report of the Prisons branch of the Justico Department just to hand it is stated: "Tho scheme of prison reform has not yet progressed as rapidly as some ardent enthusiasts would desire." As a prison reformer myself, 1 say it has not progressed at all so far as Auckland is conccrned. Again and again havo I pointed out how improvements might be effected hero with our three hundred men, but no notice has been taken. The suggestions aro too simple and inexpensive. Xliey are not sufficiently heroic. Tho Auckland people may not realise that exactly one-thirif of all tho prisoners in the Dominion are in tho local institution. By a recent Act of Parliament it lus been created a reformatory prison. That is (0 say, a change is supposed to havo Liken place in the character of the place, in tho conditions of treatment of inmates. It may interest your readers to know exactly what that cliango is. Three days a week the inmates aro given roast beef, instead of boiled beef. That marks tho difference between a reformatory prison and a prison. Perhaps tho British Medical Association will study the problem and tell us' how roast beef affects the brain tissue, strengthens tho will power, improves tho character, as compared with toiled beef. The question is a very subtlo one, and I regret my inability ts give a satisfactory answer. Tho Minister for Justice, in a. published interview, emphasised the importance of post-prison treatment. Ifero ho vas on safe ground. For years past philanthropic men and women havo laboured to help discharged prisoners to livo honest and useful lives, and they have not laboured in vain; but the Government, with all its boasted care for tho erring and fallen, havo not given any encouragement in this most important work. In the above-mentioned report dealing with Auckland, wo aro gravely told: "Tlio new cell windows havo been fitted with a movable sash," but the frequent visits and services of tho visiting chaplains aro not considered of sufficient: value for even a passing reference. At Sir John Findlay's meeting last week, I asked him in effect if he did not think tho work of Anglican, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic chaplains worthy of official recognition in his scheme ot reform, lie said, "No." In the Australian States there is this official recognition, and there for years past there has been a steady decline in tho prison population. In our own country for the samo period, (here lias been a steady increase. Can there be any connection between (he 0110 and the oilier? I do not suggest it, but it is a curious fact. ... A blot still remaining 011 the prison system is tho different treatment given 111 tho different prisons. A useful man, 110 may bo a tradesman, is convicted and sentenced. If sent to a camp he will receive 2G days per year extra remission, but, more likely, being useful, he is kept here, and so loses tho extra remission. Ko explanalion can justify this differential treatment, but it goes 011 all the fame. So liucli by way of criticism of tho last report, bu'i. I freely grant (here is a general ind a manifest desiro all through the and and amongst paid and honorary , ifficials (o help tlieso men and women to ■elrieve their position and (0 lead them lack to honesty, sobriety, and usefulness. Hiat in itself is an improvement upon , ,ho old apathy, neglect, and utter disregard of these our fellow creatures, who ire often moro sinnod against than