PRISON REFORM

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1932, Page 5

PRISON REFORM

SLIGHT INCREASE SHOWN,

IN NUMBER OF PRISONERS

(By Telegraph —Per Frees Association ;

WELLINGTON, April 13

The Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Howard League for (Penal Reform was opened by the Minister of Justice (Mr Cobbe), who said it was refreshing in these? times of pessimism that they were holding (Loir conference and paying their own expenses, in coining to it. Tie threw out the hint that it would not ho much u,se bringing forward proposals involving further expenditure, hut he was quite willing to hear any representations they might like to make to him as the result of their deliberations.

Although during the lust eighteen months, said Air Cobbe, there had been a slight increase in the number in New Zealand committed to prison, over the period the' perceintage of population committed had shown a steady decrease. .Speaking in regard to the probation system, lie said it must be remembered that society had to be protected. The present-day tendency in New Zeniland prison adminstration was to reform rathe." than punish. It was a progressive policy, but it was as harmful to proceed too far in advance of public opinion as to remain behind it. Their soeietv and similar societies could do, and had done, much in moulding and enlightening public opinion.

WOMEN POLICE FOR N.Z.? BOARD MAY BE ABOLISHED. WELLINGTON, April 14. Opinions as to the rehnuatorv side of the New Zealand prison system, showing a marked divergence from the official view were evnrossed at file annual confei-micp of th" Howard T ea«-ue for Penal Reform, which began yesterday. After some criticism unon the evisting system, Air De la Afcre moved: “That, in the opinion of this conference, it is in the interests of justice, if the Prisons Board were either reformed or abolished.’' He snbl that in his opinion, the Board was believed Inevery prisoner’to be an instrument of injustice.”

The motion was carried, and on the motion of Aliss Baucrlian it was decided to urge I hat. in the interests of public morality, women police lie appointed in New Zealand