SCOTLAND’S CRIME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2544, 3 July 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

SCOTLAND’S CRIME.

LESS WORK AND MORE EVILDOERS IN 1908. PRISON COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT The year 1908 was rather a black one in Scotland, for crimes of many kinds increased. In the annual report of the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, issued as a “Blue Boon,” it is stated that in 1908 the number of commitments of ordinary prisoners during the year was 62,182," an increase of about 1000 on the previous year. There was also a rise in the daily average number of ordinary prisoners. This number reached 2762, a figure which is beyond any of the recorded averages for the last fifty-five years. The Commissioners cannot offer any explanation of this increase. Judging from past experience the average should have been lower than usual, in view of tho fact that trade and industry were reported to be depressed during the year. It is the Commissioner’s experience that when trade is good and the demand for labor is great, crime tends to increase. Commitments to prison in Scotland are much more numerous than in England. The comparison for the vear 1907 was: Scotland 12.84 per 1000 ; England 6.3 per 1000. The Commissioners state their belief that if some method more reasonable and effective than simple fine or imprisonment were adopted in dealing with the numerous cases of drunkenness, and of other offences where inebriety was the cause, the difference between the number of imprisonments in the two 'countries would be much decreased. They are glad to know that steps are being taken by the Government in the direction indicated, and that inquiries are being made into the working of Inebriates Acts, with the view of their amendment at an early date. The average length of sentence imposed on ordinary prisoners during the year under report, was 17.8 days. There were 138 sentences of penal servitude during tho year. Out of 65,000 who have been in the prisons during some part of the year 400 have been punished for offences against discipline. The cost for maintenance of an ordinary prisoner has been at the rate of £2O per annum ; of a convict £36 10s sd; of a criminal lunatic or inebriate, £44 4s 9d. During tho year 383 males and 28 females were added to the list in the “habitual criminal” register.