Wednesday, February 16, 1966

SAANICH PENINSULA AND GULF ISLANDS REVIEW

PAGE SEVEN

. SUPERINTENDENT LOOKS BACK

Progress

Fot many centuries, prisons \ were derstood : as. the only remedy. “for

regarded with horror.

What went: on -behind the grim
walls rarely ‘got beyond those walls,
-and the masses were as much. in
‘the dark. about .prison life as the in-
. mates were: about life beyond -their
dismal cells.

Today the picture is ‘changing:

-This change, its origin, style and
effect, ..was. ‘described recently. by
‘Superintendent G: Milner’ of William:
Head Minimum - security. institution
‘at-charter: night ceremonies for the
Bayview Junior Chamber of Com-
merce, a unit within. the confines
of the prison. sponsored by. Sidney.
Jaycees. *

The text: of ‘Mr. Milner's rem marks
to. the inmates. and visiting Jaycees
was as - follows.

For “most of you here, I suppose
that this is the first: time ‘you have
ever - been. in ‘a -penitentiary and
since,. by being here, you’are “un-
o doubtedly : interested in: ‘learning
. something of: our, objectives and ‘the

philosophies which have made such

“a> night . possible. :
‘- Since’ the. earliest. days of history,

‘punishment generally has been | un-

evil. and: crime.’ This. belief. dates
back . to’ the’ very early ° primitive
man,..whose spirits and priests pun-
ished and. destroyed those who .in-
vaded’ their - territory, : or disobeyed:
their orders. . =

SOCIAL OUTCASTS.

Torture; mutilation, or death were
usually ‘the prices demanded by the
religion, or the king, for any infrac-
tion of their territory or beliefs and
anyone guilty of | these erimes was
evil and, therefore, a:social outcast
as far as his fellow man was con-

“cerned.

These beliefs and traditions, with
modifications, have’ come down to
us in this age. Relaxations which
have been introduced ‘during the
past. hundred years’ into the sys-
tems were, first, relaxation. of. the
death penalt y. for. many crimes, and,

al colonics in” Australia and. the
South. Seas; .from. which’: very few
men ever returned. :

HA RSH | EXISTENCE

Life in:the convict sottlements: was
harsh and ‘very. cheap. : They -were |

secondly,” the establishment ‘of. pen-

4

VHE BY WERE ONCE A PLACKH OF HORROR |

used. in. chain gangs ‘for. building ;

roads, military “camps, ete. :

As. the .world’ grew | “smaller and
colonization became the order, the
deportation of. criminals‘: “was: stop-
ped ‘and replaced by the building of
massive prisons surrounded by high

walls,’ behind which men disappear-
ed to a life of unbelievable . -priva-
tion and humiliation. ~~

‘Lack of -heat, lack of food, lack
of medical treatment; the use of the
lash and the strap for slightest mis-
demeanour, the isolation from the
families -and from the world and
humiliations of every type were all
supposed to. cure crimes-—the harsh-
er the treatment, the greater the de-

Of Punishment Reviewed At Willi

‘men ‘by “types, the: minimum-secur-

terrent; was. the philosophy behind

this treatment. ;

VERY “RADICAL CHANGES
During .the past.25 years, the penal

systems of almost all countries: have

undergone: some very radical chang-’

es in beliefs; operations “and. objec-
tives. Prior to ‘this. time, nothing

vas. done™ to determine “the reason
behind the prisoner's anti-social be-
‘haviour and no, effort: was made -to
equip him, either psychologically’ or

technically, for his re-entry. into: so-
hired. out as. gangs by settlers, or. : clety. 7

a

‘FARMERS! WIN A WESTERN- SIZE PRIZE IN THE

ELEPHANT BRAND ‘BEST IN THE WEST’

punishment and . revenge,

—Itcis “now. about a. “quar tor of a
century «since ‘Great Britain. and
Scandinavian countries first -intro-
duced the - idea: of :segregation.-of

ity. institutions andthe’ training
schools for first offenders—the ob-
ject of these institutions ‘being to
segregate men considered rehabil-
itable from .the: older and hardened’
criminals and. to train’ them in.some
‘useful occupation Which could be
followed \in post-sentence years’ and
to. re-associate ‘them. with as” near
normal . living conditions as  pos-
sible.

TR: AINING REPLACES REVENGE
- In Canada, the first radical chang-
es to.the Penitentiary. Act :avere. in-
troduced: in-1960: and the whole: con-
cept of. penology. has. changed quite

iam Head!

-- The preparation. and assessment
of men. for parole. is a* major con-
sideration at this ~institution and a
‘man’s. attitude, his initiative, \ his
co-operation ina. program to help
himself: are closely: watched: and _re-
ported to the Parole Board and af-
ter-care agencies, who will act as
supervisors.

MYSTERIOUS HOLE

Ten years ago ‘meetings such .as
this would not have been possible.
The. prison was.a dark, mysterious
hole into which a man disappeared
as punishment for his wrong-doing.
Secrecy was the order and no of-
ficer’ was permitted to discuss, des-
cribe, or in any way attempt to en-
lighten the gener al public .on the
penal ‘system,

Today, ‘tremendous “emphasis “is

rapidly. since that date.
Tt “is -now™® realized

logical, ‘sociological conditions
end the: protection tothe public ean
and > training: rather than through |
adian Penitentiary System is.“pres-
‘ently in* the. process. of expanding
its* institutions inorder. to’ provide
the segregation and facilities to fully
inte oduce t this program.
HIGH STANDARDS

Minimum - security institutions,,
such as William Head, play the ma-
jor part in this program. In the: work

that eriniin: al
hart ae isthe product of psycho-*
“derstood: by ‘any interested person,
to some !.
best be” gained through treatment extent, ithe image which has devel-

The’ Can- | |

being placed on bringing the insti-
tution out into the light «where it
CAN oe exuniined., and seen and un-
‘in-an effort 1o- counteract,

oped through, traditions, ‘TV shows,
movies, books: and’ our: own, preju-

dices: w “hich we have: inherited frond.

the past.
ONLY. GO SO FAR.

The. importance ‘of ‘our work ‘must

be realized .by. the general public,
since. We can. go. only: so- far.

“It is a waste. of time and of public
funds to develop, train and. motivate
aman to a point where he can op-

SAAN }

wok ok

‘Vigorous opposition ‘to. the ereation’
of the “proposed: new ‘provincial rid-
‘ng of Sidney was. voiced cat the
meeting: of. Saanich council last
Monday. :

Recommendations ‘of the ‘boandaty

jer urban ‘areas: of Saanich and par-

tition them between Oak Bay, -Es-
quimalt and’ a proposed North Vic-
toria riding. Rural Saanich, Central
and North Saanich, Sidney and the
Gulf, Islands would’ be consolidated
as the new riding of Sidney.

“The proposed revision would wipe
out Saanich, the. municipality. with
the greatest. papulation on Vancou-
ver. Island,’’ “protested: Councillor

CH SAYS “t

Opposition To Proposal —

commission. would detach ithe ma- |:

iber, G. L. Chatterton, MP, who. said

Leslie Passmor c,

aa

a

“

“There ‘is. a simple .and equitable
alternative,” he declared. ‘‘All :that
is necessary.is to reduce Victoria: to
two. member's and: increase Saanich:
srepresentation © to ° two, Without anye
change. of ‘-boundaries:;” he dectared. :

“The removal of Saanich from’ the
‘provincial electoral scene would” be:
most regrettable, " ‘said Reeve Hugh vt
Curtis.

Similar objections to the proposed
boundary changes ‘affecting the fed-
eral riding | of Esquimalt = Saanich
resulted in ‘a resolution to prepare
a brief of protest. -This action was
prompted by a. letter from the mem-

that the question is entirely non-.
{ political. ;

MRS. TURNER IS

home -of Mrs. . Clark, “1st Me.
Miken Road.:
Mrs. Janet ‘Palmer, a guest,
- | welcomed by the. president,
Annual reports’ were read: Mrs:
W.-W. Gardner. reported. for

Gilt Shop.

eryone. for the help ¢ articles
made and donated.

Treasurer, 1 Mrs.. H. “R.. Eyans, re-

given,

OF REST HAVEN AUXILIARY |

Annu nu meeting of the WA to: the | urer;
Rest" Haven Hospital was-held at the | ship; Mrs.» A. B..Cross, shop, con-

was ‘on, library; Mrs... G: Wilson, ‘pub-.

the | mittee; Mrs..H:-R. Evans, knitting; :
She stated the year had |Mrs.
ybeen a good one and: thanked: ev- | J. R.. Elton, transportation.

NAMED HEAD

Mrs. K.-C. Grogan, “tngmabeue” -

vener, Committees were’ “Mrs. We. >
‘D. MaclLeod:and Mrs. J. .W. Whitak-.:

“Mrs.J. Jennings, baby com-.
Mrs.’ Av Byford, sick: com: ~*~

licity;
mittee;

TRE R. Trousil, sewing; . Mrs.

‘Before vacating the chair, Mrs. A. ;
A:. Cormack thanked’ all the :mem-. ;
bers for their. “co-operation. ‘during

her’ term. of. office,..and |waspre- 0 .
sented -with a. gavel, hand-m lade “by.
Capt: H.-R. Evans.) Mrs. Re: Avd
thanked the. outgoing officers: 2300"

» Mrs.°C.-D.- Turner,’ in taking: the’.
‘chair, “expressed : her. appreciation: ae
of-all*-that~ ithe - previous: - executive
had accomplished, cand : hoped her
term. would-be. as progressive.
|. ‘The ‘members adjourned for Junch
and avere-eritertained by, readings ‘by

ported: the purchase ofa: wax bath
anda whirlpool bath forthe physio-
therapy: department, a ‘suction pump’
for the nursing HOOVS,. and gowns for
the: patients... °°,

‘Mrs; A: ‘Byford, secretary, outlined
the’. year's.“ activities “including. the,
birth’ of ©:78 “babies ‘each ‘receiving
booties | from | the aubelliary: and 72
membership of 31.

>The. new: “slate = of” ‘officers

erate:as a normal individual if, on
release, he aill-be rejected and dis-
criminated against. by people on the.
outside: who ‘through a lack of un-
derstanding and prejudice, refuse to
‘carry on the work which, is ‘star a
here.

T have talked to many -men at dis-
charge,’ or parole, and: believe’ that
many leave with a sincere desire to.
go: straight: Lack’ of companionship,

program at William Head, consid-
erable responsibility and initiative
are. demanded of any: man_ here.
Supervision ~ is “peduced ‘.as far Las
eee {o-.ensure: only’ that work
jis carried: out. properly and, quickly
| under:.. the: Buidance | of. selected’ in-,
siructors.. . Standards..a nd .marks.
|-must:.be -ag’ high -as. on-the' outside.
‘Academic training is. carried: on ‘sep-
car ately” ‘and- conjunction: : swith

“was

ork programs:. lack .of guidance: and lack“ of fa- brought “in. as’ follows: Mrs. Mrs.. Palmer. :

work - POE mere ~} miliarity tin: customs ‘and)-work  re- Cormack, ’: past president; Mrs... -C..) ‘The next meeting, will be held on
F AMILY CONTACT. : | quirements: inva. strange: world ° call Db “Turner; president; . Mrs, : SHOR: Weanesday morning, March’ 9pat®:
The internal: atmosphere ‘of ihe in- ita i ; 1.1 :

2 ofitst ‘vice-president; : Mys:.
J. - Gardner, “second: vice-presi-,
».Cookman, “recording |

‘contribute: initially. to- ae man’s

:-Family: contact: and turn, to. crime.

STATISTICAL “SUBPORT .
“This ‘is borne“out: in: our: statistics,
:Wwhich~ indicate © that * approximately | ¢
‘Six: ‘out: of 10 men. released ,on; sen-.
tence. expiry are’ yeconvicted where-
as approximately 85: to: 90: per cent

] stitution is. more. of’ one; “of a_camp
| than. a> prison. :
relationship . is, -encouraged,: as, “well
oS as contact with outside agencies and
+ grOUpS.. “Meetings, such ° as‘ this one,
‘play’ an ‘important: ‘part. in‘“a’:man’s
ot ‘rehabilitation * andthe . association
| with: org: anizations, ue as: ‘the Jay=
‘le

: prizes - —andno 3: ° oe
_ figurin’ todo!

than last-year’s..-
‘big contest!”

it, “you: ‘will. ‘be: able. ‘to. assist Us. in|: Sidney ‘Ja cettes ha
the ve-establishment. of men‘ through | fhe: efforts of their Jaycee | thusbands

their’ association: with: ‘you: ‘and: your| in: mer of © ‘the “Bayview ‘J

g-
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time to:see the man. at: your,

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