WHAT IS REFORM?

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1921, Page 5

WHAT IS REFORM?

“PRISON UNDER ANOTHER NAME.” COMMENT BY JUDGES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Court of Appeal to-day considered an appeal by Percival Rhys Winglove, against a sentence of three years’ reformative detention passed on him on April 30, 1921, at Auckland by Mr. Justice Adams. Prisoner had been raund guilty of making a false declaration for the purpose of obtaining a marriage certificate. He had stated the bride’s age as 22, whereas her correct age was 18 years. Prisoner was not represented by counsel. Mr. MacGregor, K.C., Sol-icitor-General, appeared for the Crown. Mr. MacGregor said that the offence was an aggravated one and was for the purpose of trapping a girl into a marriage to which her parents objected. From prisoner’s own statement it was clear that he knew he was doing wrong. Prisoner’s character was not good. The sentence of reformative detention was imposed for the purpose of reforming prisoner. Mr. Justice Hosking: “Giving a nian reformative detention is simply giving him imprisonment under another name. Mr. Justice Salmond: “Most of the reform that takes place in these, cases is merely temporary repentance.” The Solicitor-General: “Yes, especially when the Prisons Board is in the vicinity.” , , The Court reserved its decision.