PRISON REFORM.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 December 1901, Page 4

PRISON REFORM.

Captain Evans, inspector-general of penal establishments in Victoria, is about to make an attempt to reform some of the prisoners committed on account of drunkenness. It is proposed that a start shall be made with six female prisoners, and the Inspector general has written to the gaol chaplains asking them to select patients for the experiment. No drugs will be used, and the treatment will be for the most part on the lines laid down by Dr Branthwaite, the chief inspector under the Inebriates Acts of England. Dp Branthwaite, with whom Captain

Evans had several interviews during his recent visit to England expresses the opinion that very little can be done in the way of reforming inebriates in less than months; and the Inspector*general pso* poses to extend the treatment of the patients in Victoria over that period. A feature of the treatment suggested is plenty of open-air exercise, such as would be necessary in the cultivation and tend* ing of flower gardens. In connection with the question of the reform of drunkards, the Key A. E; Edgar has written to the Victorian Chief Secretary, asking to be allowed to experiment on some of the worst cases in gaol with the bichloride-of-gold cure. Mr Trenwilh has agreed to this bsihg done provided that the prisoners consent. Mr Edgar claims that under favourable circumstances he can effect a cure in about a month. He is to be permitted to delect his own eases;