JUDGE JOHNSTON ON OUR PENAL SYSTEM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 166, 14 July 1881, Page 1

JUDGE JOHNSTON ON OUR PENAL SYSTEM.

Hia Honor in charging the grand jury at Chriatchurch dwelt largely upon the crimes of robbery, with or without violence, from tiie person which he said was a sign of prosperity rather than depression. He said : The law as it stands is no deterrent to such criminals. The sentences are not only not deterrent but they are not in any respect reformatory. In these two points we certainly lie far behind the other civilised countries of the world. It is a much more serious tbing than people are disposed to consider it on a superficial view, While we very properly spend a large amount of money in education to improve the moral tone of the community, we are> I fear, allowing persons already engaged in crime to go unpunished. I trust that the investigation now taking place will lead the public mind to recognise the absolute necessity for dealing with thia matter in a substantial manner. No doubt much has been effected of late, and everything that could be done has been done to improve the management of the penal sjstem during the last few -years*- but the physical resources of the establish* ments are quite inadequate. They have not room enough to provide means for the separate treatment of prisoners, without which it is the experience of all persons acquainted with the modern system that no sound reformation can be secured. We are unfortunately obliged to associate the greatest criminals with those who have only recently engaged in crime* Also, with regard to juvenile offenders, there ia no means of keeping them from contamination. lam sure that this needs only to be mentioned to call the attention of the public to its importance. Having hadjtarge experience and special acquaintance for 40 years oi the work of penal establishments, I cannot pass from this subject without expressing the hope that we shall be able to make rapid advance within a short period. It can hardly be said tbat anyone is to blame, as the resources of this young colony have been taxed to the utmost, but as we see now that much intelligence and public opinion are directed to this matter, we may very well hope that ere long : some substantial steps will be taken to make our pehal system more effective than it is. I should consider ifc ajdereliction of duty were I hot to refer to this, considering the. vast disdretion of a* Judge. I hope I shall not be misunderstood when I say that there are atpresent many avoidable -i evils, but I believe those responsible are doing their very beßt with the means at their disposal. I hope the days; are not far distant when means of separation of criminals can be adopted by which the demoralisation of younger and less experienced criminals will be avoided and the establishment of anything Jlike a criminal class will be prevented.