Reforming, the Criminal

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 May 1911, Page 3

Reforming , the Criminal

[PKR PRESS ASBOOJATJON.J WELLINGTON. This Day. Speaking of the operation of the Crimes Amendment Act, tbe Chief Justice, as President of tbe Prisons Board, said that of thirty-one prisoners who bad made application, twelve would be recommended for release on probation. He said a , - most all applicants bad been seen personally in gaol at New Plymouth, where at present all prisoners of that class wore confined. There was no doubt, said the Chief Justice, that the Act had proved a great deterrent, and most of tlio prisoners were trying hard to earn release. Tf they worked and behaved themselves they received sixpence a day pocket money. Some were saving it and others were" expending it in books, table luxuries, etc. Tt was obviously very difficult for old offenders to cast aside all had habits in a few months, but in tho oa.se of the rounder men there was a greater possibility of improvement. In some cases, for instance, it was evident that tho criminal taint was hereditary, and the Board found many instances mi which more than one member of a familv had adopted a career of crime. Generallv speaking, the Act apneared to justify its ■ existence, nncT when a prison farm lyas established its possibilities \vonld bo giv-atly increased.