Our Prison Numbers

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 9 (Supplement)

Our Prison Numbers

(To the Editor). Sir, —It has been brought to the notice of the N.Z. Howard League that a misapprehension exists as to the significance of our excessive prison numbers. It is thought by some that the figures indicate an excess of crime. This, we believe, is a misapprehension. We are told officially, and wo gladly believe that there is little serious crime in New Zealand. What then is the cause of the disproportionate number of prisoners? The explanation offeree, by the Howard League (and we know of none other) is that the responsibility rests upon a penal policy of ready and long imprisonment. It is that policy which needs reform, and we feel greatly encouraged by the fact that, since our League drew attention to the com parative statistics, our courts have reduced by more than 500 the number of imprisonments for first offences. This has been done, let it be noted, without any subsequent increase in crime. Other factors have also contributed, and lately we havo been told that our daily prison population has decreased from over 1100 to 947. Though better, this is still too high. Had we, like England, abolished imprisonment for “sleeping out” and for non-payment of fines, etc., when poverty is the cause, our numbers would show a further decrease. If we should, like her, reduce the length of sentence, our daily average would soon approximate much more nearly to the 350 or so which is all, considering our advantages, it should bo. The latest English report shows that only 1.6 of those convicted during the year received sentences of three years or more,, while ou “preventive detention” (corresponding to our habitual criminals) she had but 116. Another more recent publication tells us that there are less than 2000 longterm men in her prisons. Our proportionate number would be less than 80 — yet of habitual criminals alone we had last year over 90. We repeat that it is our long sentences that contribute to our excessive prison numbers and not merely our yearly ‘‘receptions.** And if England can keep down her crime without these long sentences, cannot we, too? Again we urge that a full and open enquiry into our penal system should be made.—Yours, etc., NEW ZEALAND HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM.