210 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



supplied. This critical period in the prisoner's history is thus tided 

 over and every effort in the direction of i-eformation of character is- 

 encouraged. The Prisoners' Aid Association of Canada is doing a 

 good work in this direction, and the managers are now making an 

 effort to establish branches in all the cities and larger towns of 

 Ontario. 



Prison Keform in Ontario. — In the Province of Ontario the 

 Pi'isoners' Aid Association of Canada has memorialized the Local 

 Government on the question of prison reform. This society has asked 

 the Ontario Government to appoint a Commission of competent 

 gentlemen to collect information regarding Prisons, Reformatories, 

 Houses of Correction, Work- Houses, etc., with a view to the 

 adoption of the most approved methods of dealing with the criminal 

 classes, suggesting to the Government the propriety of erecting suffi- 

 cient Prison and Reformatory accommodation in the Province ta 

 completely relieve the gaols of criminals convicted of crime and under 

 sentence, and asking for a report on the following, viz. : — (1) The 

 causes of crime, such as drink, over-crowding, immoral literature. 

 Sabbath-breaking, truants from school, etc. : (2) the best means of 

 rescuing destitute children fi'om a criminal career : (3) the best means 

 of providing and conducting Industrial schools : (4) the propi"iety of 

 the Government assuming larger control of County Gaols : (5) in- 

 dustrial employment of prisoners : (6) indeterminate sentences : (7) 

 the best method of dealing with tramps and habitual drunkards. 



This Association has also commended the following resolutions to 

 the favoi'aV)le consideration of the Government :'■' 



1. County Jails .should be maintained only as places of detention 

 for persons charged with offences and awaiting trial, and should not 

 Vje used for prisoners after trial and conviction. 



2. County Jails should be conducted strictly on the separate or 

 cellular system. 



3. Persons convicted of crime should not be detained in county 

 jails, Vjut should be dealt with according to the age and natural pro- 

 clivities of the criminal. 



* Since this paper was read before the Canadian Institute these resolutions have been 

 endorsed by church courts, county judges, sheriffs, wardens, gaolers, etc., by the religious and 

 secular press, by eminent American penologists such as Gen. Brinkerhoff of Ohio, Brock way of 

 Elmira Reformatory, Brush, of Sing-Sing, etc., and also by the Canadian Institute and other 

 societies. 



