HARD TIMES BREED CRIMINALS

Rotorua Morning Post, 31 August 1931, Page 5

HARD TIMES BREED CRIMINALS

MORE THIEVES. GREATER PERCENTAGE OF HABITUAL CRIME-BREAKERS RETURN TO C-AQLV "Obviously, the increase in crirne last year was due to the economic depression. Hani times hi'eed many more thieves and offenders against property gencrally." So said Mr R. M. Laing, a member of the Penal Reform Lejgqe, to a Christchurch Sun repurter, in commenting 011 the report of the Prisons Department which was presented to Parliament^ The report stated that though the general treiiil for the past 25 years has been for a decrease In the priso.i population, the prisons were l'ullcr last year than for many years past. There was also a fairly large increase in the number of offences committed hy young women. ^ "As tar as offences by women are concerned there is perhaps a general slaekness in puhlic morals hrought ahout by unemployment. Grime statistics are an infallible guide lo a eountry' s economic situation," said Mr Laing. Retucntng to Gaoi. The statement in the report that a greater percentage of liabitual criminats was returning to gaol was quite natural under the present conditions. These men were turned out of prison, homeless, friendless, and penniless. No effort was made to provide them with work and naturally they turned to criine again in order to live. " Economic condftions were so had that, they concluded that -they were better off in prison, whcrc they were sure of food and shelter. More attention should be given to after-eare work of these men, and prisons would then achieve the objective aimed at — reformation'' rather than punishment. Tlie good result attending uftercare work was shown hy the report in connection with Borstal lads, fewer than 12 per cent. of the 3448 youths who had passed through the institutions, having come into conllict with the law again. As far as possihle the probation should be taken advantage of, comhined with restitution. At present, probation oflicers had far too nmeh work io do, which resulted in the work being done less efilclently. Sheec Despscation. A prominsnt wornan social worker tohi the repovter that the depression did not breen criminals, though she admitted that R was responsihte for the increase in the prison population. "A great rumber of these socalled criminals are decont citizens, driven hy sheer desperation in order to live, 11 she said. "They are not criminals, nevertheless. According to an expcrienced polico oflicial, the greatest increase was in theft and burglaries. The position was not as acute -in New ZQiiland as in other countries. "PeoplQ here are more law-abiding than In most other places," he said.