THE NEW ZEALAND CONVICT SYSTEM.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 1, 12 May 1863, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND CONVICT SYSTEM.

(From the Dtago Daily Times.) "What shall we do -with our convicts ? " is a question whieh, sooner 01 later, ths colonists of New Zealand will have to consider in sober earnest. It would be well if the various Provinces would turn their attention to the matter before its consideration is forced upon them by the circumstances which have given such prominence to the subject in the hornecountoy. It cannot be denied that the existing system of punishment is not of a character to protect ;• oiety and sufficiently punish and deter criminals. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the Provinces shocld unite in organizing a system more in accordfnce with sound principles. Under tbe existing system, imprisonment is deprived of half its terrors. A liberal diet, warm and comfortable clothing, and just sufficient exercise to make them enjoyable, is the portion awarded to the prisoners with which the gaols are crowded. The deprivation of liberty for a limited period is of itself no punishment to criminals who find in a few momhs imprisonment only an invigorating rest from their nefarious labors. The number of re-convic-tions is a sufficient proof that the punishment at present administered is devoid of i any deterring influence ; and this will be the j case until the whole system is reorganised and reformed. If the Judges act on the instructions issued in England, and refuse to curtail the sentences of re-econvicted offenders, the Provincial gaols will be found unable to hold them, and it will become absolutely necessary to-ibund some central penal establishment for the reception of confirmed criminals. As we have said before, t"» is question should be considered at once, and not deferred until the necessities of the period leave no time for giving the subject the amount of consideration to which it is entitled. It is great folly for the Provinc -? to go on building costly prisons, which will not answer the end in view^ and we state emphatically, that it will be found impracticable to carry out in them the system of punishment necessary to confirmed criminals. The Provincial gaols should be set apart for the confinement of ordinary criminals and a central penal establishment should be founded in some part of the colony, where re-convicted prisoners could be sent and kept. The advisability of such a measure has already been urged by the Press of the other provinces, and we cannot doubt that the proposal would receive general support. There are many places where such an institution could be established. Stewart's Island for the Middle Island for the Northern, would meet the requirements of both sections of the colony. Let it be clearly understood that re convicted offenders would be consigned to places where they would be compelled to work hard, and from which escape was impossible, and let the administration of punishment in the local gaols be more rigid and severe, and depend upon it there would be a check given to the perpetration of crime. The cost of founding special convict prisons would be for more than compensated by the increased security from crime, and the reduction in the immense cost of keeping a large criminal population under police surveillance. Naw Zealand would no longer hold out the temptations it now does to the criminal classes of Australia and Tasmania The consideration of this subject should have the attention of botK the Provincial and General Governments, and if the special session of the General Assembly is heid, it should be oae of the questions brought forward. Next year will no doubt see a further large accession to the population, and a consequent increase to the already numerous criminal class. How desirable it is, i e that 1" e colony should be prepared to meet the evil efficient preventive and protective means. The whole subject of imp isc.iment should be carefully gone into, the number of recommitals ascertained, and the working and cost of the existing system clearly defined. We think the results would be fouu-1 Tather of a startling character, and at once prove the recessity of more stringent measures. We may be able shortly to present our readers with some statistices on the subject which will more fully establish, the force of our presedt remarks.