TREATMENT OF HABITUAL CRIMINALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 318, 17 January 1908, Page 4

TREATMENT OF HABITUAL CRIMINALS.

KEKOKJIATOKN I'KI SOX KEOL'LATIU.Ns. *1 here in as yet unly one inmate of the reformatory prison "ward at the Now I'lyiiiiiuth hospital. The regulations concerning him and any other indeterminate sentence men who may be sent to keep him cuni|>auy in the near future have now been gazetted. As far as possible, ordinary prison regulations and general orders will apply, the term " manager' Wing substituted for "gaol- , er." A consultative committee is to be provided lor each reformatory prison, consisting of the stipendiary magistrate in the district, the visiting justices, and the manager, and the committee shall Iwld regular meetings to hear and deal with complaint* and reque-ts of the prisoner-, having power to determine complaint- and indict punishment as in the case of ordinary pri-oiier- under tile I'risoiM Act. Kvery prisoner shall lie 1 brought singly before the committee at! each regular meeting to ensure that 110 ea.-e is overlooked. The gaol surgeon is to re| wrt quarterly to the inspector. Kvery prisoner will have a separate cell, in which he will sleep, have his meals, and keep Mich of his belonging* as may be sanctioned by the manager. Indulgence* will lie granted on account of good conduct and industry, these to include postage-stamps, tea, eoiree, cocoa, toliacco, cheese, tisl,. friit, newspapers, pipe*, butter, jam. milk, extra lighting, extra issue of books, and any other privilege at the discretion of the manager. Vitatttio persoi is allowed to take indulgences or extra articles of food outside his cell, or share them with others, without being liable for punishment.

Kach prisoner will lie employed according to his ability, and is to perform snch work daily as tin manager directs. The work is to be of a productive, reformative, and educational character, and. whenever practicable, and not in-.on.-intent with the disciplinary requirements, tbe prisoner is to be employed at the trade at which he is most proficient, and which will do the most to lit him for honest self-support when at liberty. An account will be opened in each prisoner's name, showing the Tarioiw payments and deductions, and this is to l:e audited on the occasion of each vi-it of the inspector. It is provided, too, tliat the prisoners may inquire and be informed concerning the state of their accounts. JUrks may be earned as follows:—For a full day's work, with exemplary conduct, 8 marks; for a fair dayV work, with good conduct, 7 marks; for an indifferent day's work, or ba.l conduct. 6 mark-: the value of the marks to be adjusted as follows: Sis marks a day, is tkl; 7 marks, 2s 9d; R marks, 3s. After deducting six marks a day, or 2s 6d, for the prisoner's keep, the remainder will Tie credited to the

prisoner'* account. But prisoners who only earn six marks a day will Ik" liable to be puni-lied. unless some good cause can lx- >ho«n for their failing to earn the higher number of marks. Seven marks a I i.v may lie granted for exemplary conduct on Mwdays and holidays. The tallowing dayr are to be observed is pri"n holidays:—Christmas Day, New \..\r's Day. flood Friday, King's Birthday. aud the Prince of \Va]j)«" Birthday.

Prisoner* are entitled to petition for releasa, or to complain of the treatment to which tluy are subjected. The manager when forwarding petitions for release should state if definite employment can lie found for the prisoner, and every faciliiy should !*■ given for an eligible prk->.aer to communicate with discharged pi Uoners' aid societies or any kindred organisations or reputable persons likely to find aid for him. Prison officers are enjoined to render all possible assistance in this iexpect, as unless suitable employment can be obtained for a prisoner prior to discharge there in little hope of his being able to lead a reformed life.