FEAR OF THE GALLOWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 968, 10 May 1930, Page 13

FEAR OF THE GALLOWS

IF THE DEATH PENALTY WERE ABOLISHED

Giving his unqualified support in favour of the retention of the death penalty, Colonel H. M. A. Hales, Governor of Parkhurst Prison, drew a graphic picture before the Select Committee of the House of Commons which is considering the Capital Punishment Bill, of what would happen in England if desperate and unscrupulous criminals no longer had before them the fear of the gallows. “Abolish the death penalty and you must arm the police,” he declared. “This would lead to scenes in Bond Street such as are now seen in America. I believe we are the only police forde in Europe who do not carry firearms.” Colonel Hales urged that the death penalty was the only retribution for cold-blooded murder. The deterrent effect of capital punishment could not be overruled. It ensured, also, the permanent removal from society of a brutal member of that society. It was a just retribution for the crime of murder. Professional burglars and motor-car thieves would not hesitate to use lethal weapons to evade arrest were it not for the death penalty. As the law stood, a revolver was rarely part of their argument. “It is idle to suppose,” went on Colonel Hales, “that the professional criminal has any more respect for life than he has for property. The only respect he has for life is respect for his own.” If the death penalty were abolished every officer in a convict prison must be armed. The existence of the death penalty had a remarkable effect upon foreigners, who were given hospitality in this country, and who, in their own countries, carried revolvers or knives as their normal equipment. Murder stood by itself as a crime which could not be minimised. There should be no distinction in the punishment given to men and women. Newspaper accounts of murders, he considered, did more good than harm. Asked what effect an execution had upon other prisoners and prison officials, Colonel Hales replied: “I have made a mental note of the effect upon other prisoners. The usual prison routine has to be considerably altered, and that helps to deepen the impres sioi( of solemnity. “t say without hesitation that the effect of an execution upon the prison population generally can be described as wholesome. The callous ruffian seems to be taking stock of himself, while the man who has not gone far in criminality sees the prison in its grimmest and most deterrent form.” Colonel Hales stated that reprieved murderers usually displayed complete self-satisfaction, and not much sign of repentance. “If periodical flogging were substituted for the death penalty, would that have as great a deterrent effect?” a member of the committee asked. “I have not thought of that before,” Colonel Hales answered, “but, speaking rather on the spur of the moment, I should say emphatically ‘No.’ It would be against our nature as Englishmen to have a series of corporal punishments spread over a number of years. The only thing that appeals to the brute Is physical fear and fear for his own skin.” Colonel Hales added that he had only once come across a case where a reprieved murder had said to him, “I wish to God they had hanged me.” Dr. Ethel Bentham: Do you think these people are born with an undue allowance of original sin?—l do not know anything about original sin, replied Colonel Hales. “There Is a type of man who is an enemy to society; who is not going to work, who would take your goods or mine, and is prevented from taking our lives only because he does not wish to give his own life in exchange. He is brutal in his deal ings with his fellow-men, and has the characteristics of the brute rather than of the man,” concluded Colonel Hales.