DEALING WITH THE WEAK.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1921, Page 4

DEALING WITH THE WEAK.

It is questionable if the. present system of dealing with criminals and the criminally inclined is wise, or in the best interests of the community. At nearly every session of the Supreme Court there come up for trial and sentence men of weaknesses and perversions, manifestly lacking in control of their senses and attributes. Especially is this noticeable in sexual cases that are nowadays such a predominating characteristic of our courts. These men are held to be responsible for their conduct, and are dealt with accordingly. They are sentenced to a term in gaol, or “reformative treatment”, which is a more euphonious term but differing very little from straight-out imprisonment. True, prisoners under this provision may be released if the Prisons Board is satisfied they are “cured”; but the system does not lend itself to effecting permanent “cures”. At best it is only a palliative, and does not go to the root of things. At Tuesday’s session of the New Plymouth Supreme Court two youths were sentenced to fairly long periods of detention. Both showed unmistakable signs of weak powers, if we can accept as true the Roman adage, “Vultus est index animi”. Were the triitb known, they may have had little or no control of themselves when they committed the crimes for which they were arraigned. To place these youths amongst older criminals and perverts, as, no doubt, will be done, can do nothing but harm; certainly cannot strengthen their wills and natures, and make of them useful and self-respecting citizens. It is agreed that with their weaknesses and propensities they are a menace to society whilst at liberty, and that the judge had no other course under existing conditions but to sentence them to a period of detention. Both of them, however, were fit -subjects for special and distinctive treatment at the hands of a surgeon or scientist, wlio could observe their cases and prescribe for them, at the same time providing suitable employment for them, and, of course, keeping them away from the public until properly cured or redeemed. Gaol treatment will but make them hardened criminals; scientific'* treatment might redeem them for society. Some day we will recognise that our present system of dealing with those who go wrong ■because of their inherently weak or perverted mental or moral powers only tends to harden and brutalise them, and maintain the supply of criminals in the land.