Book Reviews : Crime, Punishment and Cure Giles Playfair and Derrick Sington Secker and Warburg 45s
| Published date | 01 September 1965 |
| Date | 01 September 1965 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455056501100311 |
| Author | M.J. Day |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
The Home Secretary announced on 14th July that he had reached the con-
clusion that inter-change and collaboration between the probation and after-
care service which were essential for an effective system of after-care, will be
best ensured by filling prison welfare posts by the secondment for limited periods
of probation oflicers, rather than by having a separate prison welfare service.
He informed Mr. English (Lab. Nottingham West) that he hoped a detailed
scheme to cover this proposal would be in operation by the end of the year. A
number of questions were asked about the use of hostels, and the setting up of
re-establishment centres for prisoners and the Home Office replies indicated
support and encouragement for such ideals.
Mr. E. S. Bishop (Lab. Newark) asked if the prison population could be
reduced by the elimination of sentences of three months or less, and the greater
use of release on licence for prisoners serving long sentences. Miss Bacon gave
a very cautious answer but suggested that the Home Secretary had it in mind
to propose certain changes in the administration of medium and long term
sentences.
In the Housc of Lords, Lord Stonham made a similar statement during the
debate on the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Bill, when Lord Parker
agreed to withdraw his proposal which would have ensured the automatic
review of all life sentences.
We regret that these notes must go to press before the contents of the Queen’s
Speech are known so comment must be delayed.
APROPOS
BOOK REVIEWS
Crime, Punishment and Cure
Giles Playfair and Derrick Sington Secker and Warburg 45s.
AT THE END of this book, the authors criticise the press handling of material
related to penal policy. &dquo;... too much that is written on the subject is the work
of people who, however journalistically gifted, and however well placed their
hears may be, have not sufficient background knowledge or standards of com-
parison to go by, with the result that what they have to say is...
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