PRISONERS PUNISHED

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 8 December 1930, Page 13

PRISONERS PUNISHED

YOUTH WITHOUT FRIENDS

SENT TO BORSTAL INSTITUTE

In view of the fact that the prisoner had no relatives, no work to go to, and no one to look after him, the best place for Bonald Cowan, aged 19, in his own interests and .in the interests of tho State, was considered by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court this morning, to ba a Borstal institution. Cowan was one of several prisoners who appeared before his Honour for •sentence. He had pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery and uttering and a charge of forgery and attempted uttering at Wellington. After Mr. F. B. Anyon had referred to the early years of Cowan's life, the Chief Justice 'said that he felt considerable sympathy for the prisoner. He had the Probation Officer's report, and the circumstances of the case were such as to excite a good deal of sympathy. What ho wanted to consider mainly was the question of what would be the best thing to do in the prisoner's interests. There were two courses open—probation and detention in a Borstal institution. If he were given probation, though,, who would look after him? Cowan wanted someone to look after him. Mr. Anyon suggested that in view of the prisoner's early history, his Honour would be justified in granting probation. He could be placed under the supervision of the.. Probation Officer and could receive his. benefit and help. His Honour said it was difficult to know what to do. If he had some work to go to and someone to look after him he undoubtedly would grant probation, but in view of the circumstances ho was frightened of the consequences if he adopted that course. His Honour decided to send Cowan to a Borstal institution for a period not exceeding two years. It was the minimum term, said his Honour, and he thought that possibly Cowan's better qualities would bo developed at the institution. THEFT OF JEWELLERY. "It doesn't look like merely stealing something to enable you to keep yourself for a while," said his Honour, after having read a statement that had been handed in by Edward Gammon Ellen, hotel porter, aged 22, who appeared for sentence on two charges of breaking and entering and. theft and one charge of theft. ■ • The prisoner, | said his Honour, had stolen a large quantity of jewellery, and as he was under 23 years of age he thought the best thing to do with him was to order him to be detained for Borstal treatment. Ellen was ordered to be detained in a Borstal institution for a period not exceeding three years. Ernest Holloway, aged 30, described as a bushman and labourer, with three I aliases, appeared for sentence on a charge of breaking and entering a counting-house in Wellington with intent to commit a crime. A-statement that had been handed in by the prisoner was read by the Chief Justice. "I am afraid I cannot grant you probation,'' said his Honour. '' You say it is a question of drink. Well, probably it is, but I think the best way to get the drink out of your system is not the course you suggest—taking out a prohibition order —but to impose a term of reformative" detention and see if that will get it out of your system." Holloway was sentenced to reformative detention for a period not exceeding twelve months. OTHEE CHARGES PENDING. When the namo of Arthur Victor Jones, aged 23, labourer and .showman, was called, the assistant Crown Prosecutor (Mr. C. Evans-Scott) said that a number of other charges werrt to be made against tho prisoner, and he had been instructed to ask that sentence should be. deferred so that Jones could bo dealt with on all charges at the same time. Jones had pleaded guilty to three charges of breaking and entering and theft at Palm'erston North. In answer to his Honour, Mr. Evans- j Scott said the prisoner probably would | not be dealt with before the Christmas vacation. The prisoner was arraigned, and he said he had no objection to sentence being deferred. He was remanded. ■