The Coming Penal Reform Bill Sir Samuel Hoare has recently
given further information on his plans for prison reform. In a letter to his constituents he describes his Prison Reform Bill as overdue, and this phrase has given rise to hopes that it may be introduced this session. If it is, there is likely to be little opposition. The Home Secretary gives three objects which he wishes to achieve—to develop reformative influences in prison life, to protect the persistent offender against himself, and to help to keep the young out of prison, and in each he shows his admirable intention of making the penal system a means of reforming rather than punishing. His plans to improve methods of dealing with juvenile delinquency should be greatly advanced by the enquiry the Home Office is to under- take into this subject. This decision was first announced in October and the enquiry will begin this month ; perhaps its most important part will be the examination on the spot, by trained investigators, of all the case material in the hands of the Courts, the police, the education authorities and probation and unemployment-assistance officers. Sir Samuel is rightly anxious to obtain facts, and not opinions ; but it is hoped he will also give attention to the views already reached by psychologists and social workers.
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