The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1920. THE PROBATION SYSTEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1920. THE PROBATION SYSTEM.

It may be surprising to a gjod many people to learn that the probation system in application to offenders against the law lias been in operation in New Zealand for forty-three years. This means, of course, that the system is firmly established as part of .the machinery for the administration of justice, and has long ceased to be a mete experiment, even though, such is the variability c of human nature, every case in which probation is accorded may lx> said -to be experimental. The probation system, explains the Otago Times, represents an deavour to deal with delinquents in an effective manner without sending them to prison. Imprisonment must he regarded as necessary in certain eases. But it is now held that, in particular circumstances, some form of

punishment that is ie£s drastic than imprisonment, and that will at the same time be emcaeicms in its 1 influence • sin preserving an offender from further lapses from the straight path while he may still occupy ’, a useful; 'place in the community is preferable to imprisonment, which .tends to harden those who undergo it. Addressing the last International Prisons Congress the Lord Chief Justice of England observed: “Nothing, it goes without saying, is more injurious to the public interest than the manufacture of criminals. What is not so generally recognised is that there are few more effectual ways of manufacturing criminals than to send young offenders unnecessarily to prison, where they may easily find themselves far more comfortable than they expected to be, where they may perhaps make the acquaintance of men and meinods, likely to bring them io ruin, and, where, after serving some short sentence of complete futility, they may abandon for ever their repugnance to prison and all that it involves.”* The adoption of. the probation system in New Zealand has been amply justified in the results. The report of the operation of it during the past year records that in the majority of cases those admitted to probation responded satisfactorily to this method of treatment,' while the numbev of “failures” represented only eight per cent, of the total, number of persons to whom the" system was extended. It is acknowledged, of course, that probation can only be accorded in appropriate cases. The chief probation officer sums up that aspect of the position in the statement: “When there is a clear knowledge of right and r wrong, and evidence of calculation and deliberation i|he more generous impulses of the' law are futile, and a salutary lesson is essential in the interests of society. The benefit of probation in appropriate cases and the value of a well-organised probation system cannot be denied, but there will always be criminals who need detention for the protection of the community.” Even as applied by the Prisons Board, which deals with a more difficult class of cases than those of offenders who are admitted to probation direct by. the courts, +he system of probation seems to be attended with considerable success except in respect of the habitual criminal. Certainly it is . recorded that of the total number of habitual criminals who have been released on probation over 57 per cent, were returned to prison either for non-compliance with the conditions of probation or for committing further offences, but perhaps only..the onfimistic would expect a more favourable result than this. A verv different story, is revealed, fortunatelv, in the proportion of lapses among those whom the application of the provisions .of the Offenders’ Probation. Act keeps out of prison. The experience of the svstem has throughout been of a decidedly encouraging kind. Tf probation meant letting the individual off who lias broken the provisions of the criminal law and is liable to imprison-

ment, it would obviously do more harm than goM. Id would provide an incentive to crime. But the probation system has been devised to net as a redeeming influence upon the delinquent who lias committed a crime. It crusts him to the extent that if he behaves well he will escape imprisonment, and in this respect operates, as a deterrent of fresh crime on his part. In practice it serves its purpose to a very beneficial extent. Moreover, the economic factors presented in the operation of the system are of considerable importance in regard both to the State and the individual. The offender remains a free industrial unit, maintaining his family relationships and responsibilities, and making restitution for his wrong-doing where possible, and the saving to the community in the respect merely that the burden of his maintenance in an institution does n t fall upon the taxpayers is d stinetly substantial.

Now that the Otira Gorge road has been restored from the effects of the March earthquake, the time should be opportune, in view of the approach of the summer season, to press for more general, attention - to the East and West Coast Roads so that it will be attractive for motoring tourists during ilie coming season. With the north approach to Westland via Lyell out .of order, and the detour road via Maruia not in a forward state, there is all the more -reason that the more direct road route between the two Coasts should be put in greatly improved order. The most difficult section, we learn, is that between the Eealey and 'Otira, and l as there -is every ncessity to keep the road open for pulilic convenience, it would I well to see it maintained in improved surface order. There should be assistance from the Canterbury Automobile Association in this matter, for in the past that body took more than a passing interest in the route, lias been concerned about the ferrying at the Eealey Crossing. That is reported to be quite satisfactory of late, and by that means there is the assurance of a safe crossing under ordinary conditions. Early in this year a delegation of the Canterbury motorists visited Hokitika and conferred with the Progress League regarding support to improve access from the east. Ti readiest co-opera ti _>n was offered, but the initial move must come from the other side, because the essential work required is on the eastern approach to Westland. A detour road was suggested to avoid the Bealey crossing, but a move in that desirable direction has not been made as yet. On that account it will be incumbent on those who should take up matters such as this, to see that the existing route is improved and maintained as a regular service motor road. The motor traffic east and west is very considerable annually, and there is every reason to expect it Jo ■ increase now that .. the Bealey-Otira road is the most direct route. The condition of the Westland roads for motoring requires to be noised abroad, for there is a false impression in many quarters that the roads of the district are far below the standard now established, and so satisfactorily. maintained by the authorities. This is a matter for jealous of the future of the district, and : zealous to see Westland patronised year by year by an increasing number of motorists.