London, Apr. 21.
The remarkable developments in prison reform during the last quar-{er of a century are reviewed in the annual report of the Prison Commissioners, Some of the outstanding facts are that, during this period, committals for drunkenness fell from $4,482 in 1910 to 6838 in 1934, Local prisons were reduced from 56 to 26 at the Present time. Annual receptions in Prison fell from 186,395 to $0,425 and the dally average population from 20826 to 12,238, Various prisons were classified for different types of prisoners. Special ftiention was devoted to young prisoners and the number of recep: tions on conviction of lads sentenced to imprisonment, excluding Borstal detention, fell from 9,891 to 1,605 in 1904
Many changes in treatment include abolition of separate confinement, Introduction of lectures and concerts, Issue of a weekly news sheet, establishment of adult education, provement of prison libraries, the Uisappearance of the broad arrow from prison clothing, and the introduction of physical training.
The commissioners state that, as result of these reforms, discipline has improved and on their release prisoners return to the world less embittered and less at war with society than previously.—Wireless {through Route
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