PROBATION A SUCCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 16

PROBATION A SUCCESS

DEALING WITH WRONG-DOERS HOWARD LEAGUE’S WORK “I implore you not to go into a prison with a dogged reform look in your eyes, or the look of those precious people who would improve the whole world in five minutes,” 'pleaded the Rev. Jasper Calder at a meeting of the Howard League for Penal Reform last evening. Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., said that crime was on the increase in New Zealand, the number of convictions in 1926 exceeding those in 1925 by 11,669. In 1925 the prison population showed an increase of 67 per cent. Probation had proved very successful, and records showed that of those discharged on licence in 1924 and 1925, only 24 per cent, had been recommitted, and only 12J per cent, of those released on probation had not made good. The probation system should be encouraged on every hand. The Auckland branch of the Howard League was formed in March, and its progress has been encouraging. Dr. Mildred Staley told the meeting that the branch was now allowed special prison visitors, and cultural classes, and lectures under the W.E.A. system were being arranged. “There are not many real criminals in the country, but there are a great number of people badly brought up,” remarked Mr. Calder. A greater understanding of those who had erred was wanted, even in such high places as the Supreme Court judges held. Too much consideration was given to police reports, and not enough to those of social workers, medical men, and others.