23 MAY 1931, Page 3

The End of " Solitary Confinement " We are glad

to hear that Mr. Clynes, by Statutory Rule under the Prison Act of 1898, has finally abolished the preliminary fortnight which every man condemned to hard labour has hitherto had to spend in solitary confinement. The value of humane treatment and association in prison work has been conclusively proved by the success of the reforms carried out by the Prison Commissioners recently. It was time that this form of punishment, which is known to have definitely bad results on the character of the prisoner, should disappear from what we are beginning to look upon as a truly " reformatory " system.

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