21 MAY 1954, Page 13

HOWARD'S FOLLY Sin,—Debunking reformers and good-doers is a pretty sound

thing to do. But I don't think

can let Jim Phelan get away with it altogether. In his review of The Truth About Dartmoor, entitled ' Howard's Folly,' some of the aims of John. Howard which he outlines are, shall we say, incomplete. And if Howard sometimes overshot the mark, he did have quite a target to hit.

" Before Howard," says Jim Phelan, " prisoners . . . led ordinary lives." That depends what you mean by " ordinary." HUGH .1. MARE Secretary The Howard League for Penal Reform