Prison for Sex Offences
Sm.—"Social Student," too, is right to begin with. Most people do abhor the habits of " biological aberrationals " (though I hope this monstrous phrase won't find its way into the jargon). But the rest of his letter is misleading. Its brevity leads him into sweeping generalisa- tions about the physical basis of adult homosexuality, and his fear that
private vengeance " would usurp an enlightened law is grounded upon a surmise which has always proved false.
May we ask," he says, " what these critics would like to substitute
for imprisonment?" Well, " these critics " include many of H.M. judges, who have the dismal task of repeatedly sending such offenders to prison. They, at least, do not advocate the removal of all restraint, since no one could have a clearer view of normal society's right to pro- tection. But " these critics " deplore the use of ordinary imprisonment— which, at the moment, often sleeps three men in a cell—and believe that, for the worst cases, detention in special institutions under psychological treatment would produce better results. As the knowledge of psychology spreads among the people, a legal system which persists in disregarding it will fall into disrepute. This could have graver consequences than the resort to "private vengeance."—Yours faithfully, C. R. HEWITT.
6 Liskeard Gardens, S.E.3.
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