PENAL REFORM.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20268, 10 August 1937, Page 9

PENAL REFORM.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —When shall we have in this country such constructive changes In our penal system as Dr. Malherbe, of South Africa, has lately told us of there? When shall we have such a sensible attempt to “fit offenders for freedom.” as the Director of Federal Prisons in the United States has Inaugurated, with a properly-qualified and trained Classification Committee to examine every new prisoner, and draw up a programme for his individual reeducation? When shall we have a debate on penal reform in our House of Representatives like that in the House of Commons in June, 1937, when the Home Secretary pointed out that “the greatest prison reform is the reform that keeps people out of prison altogether,” asked the House for criticism when needed, pointed out, with praise, the efforts of voluntary prison workers, took the attitude that “far more needed to be done in adopting methods which appeal to a prisoner’s better instincts, and interest him in things that, really matter in Hie world.” and ended by asking for “cor-, dial co-operation in this work of gre.it national importance”? What, instead, have we In New Zealand? No properly-trained and qualified social and scientific helpers even for our Children’s Courts, or for our Borstals. Gaolers and police for the great majority of our probation officers. No individual diagnosis, understanding, or plan, to “fit for free- ! dom” each of our prisoners, and still | very many, 100 many, of them. Many another defect, too: but. worst of all', on the part of our present authorities, a self satisfaction at once ridiculous nm.l sad, and continual attempts lo stop Ihe mouths, of critics, including °ven chaplains 1 Such attempts are useless, and truth always comes out in tho long run. But lm« no! ' been long enough, and may we not R. K. BA I LiII AX. Akaroa. August 4.