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Dr. M. Hamblin Smith:

1. The Mental Conditions found in certain Sexual Offenders.'Lancet," 1924.

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2. The Psychopathic Personality." Journal Mental Science." 3. The Definition and Diagnosis of Moral Imbecility.-" British Journal of Medical Psychology."

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Dr. H. A. Grierson with Dr. C. H. L. Rixon:-
Intelligence of Criminals.-"Lancet."

Dr. H. T. P. Young:

1. Incendiarism in Adult Males.-" Lancet," 1925.

2. Observations on the Prison Psychosis.-Down for reading at Royal Medico-Psychological Association meeting.

Dr. C. H. L. Rixon:

The Diagnosis of Adolescent Mental Conditions with special reference to Delinquents.-Published in " Mental Welfare."

Dr. R. F. Jarrett:

Some observations on Social Capacity.-" Lancet," 1926.

Special instructions warning Governors and Medical Officers to be on the watch for smallpox cases have been sent out on various occasions during the past 2 or 3 years.

At Nottingham Prison 110 vaccinations were done and all were successful.

At Lincoln, where prisoners were sent from certain Yorkshire areas, 380 vaccinations were performed by the Medical Officer, who reported that of these only 10 were insusceptible.

If such numbers of people susceptible to smallpox are found amongst the small numbers of the population who go to prison, the condition of susceptibility to smallpox amongst the general population would indicate that the menace of a widespread outbreak is a very serious one.

The School at Parkhurst Prison hospital for the instruction of probationary male hospital officers has proved very satisfactory owing to the care and energy displayed by the Medical Officers. Each probationary hospital officer undergoes a course of elementary and practical training, followed by a searching examination which he must pass in order to continue in the Service.

The report of the Committee on Prison Dietaries was completed in September, 1925, and is generally considered to be a good one, as giving a more evenly balanced and varied diet than that in use. As yet, however, it has unfortunately been impossible to introduce it into prisons, on account of the extra cost.

Dental treatment at Borstal Institutions has been freely applied. A dentist makes a weekly visit and gives necessary treatment. Many dentures have been supplied. The result has been beneficial not only to the health of the inmates but to their prospects of obtaining work on discharge.

These measures cannot be introduced into the adult prisons on account of the cost, but many cases have been given necessary dental treatment, though dentures have not been given save to a few longsentenced convicts whose health would otherwise have suffered.

G. B. GRIFFITHS.

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE INSPECTORS.

We have the honour to report that during the year we have inspected the undermentioned establishments on the number of occasions shown against each: :

Bedford 1, Birmingham 1, Bristol 1, Brixton 2, Cardiff 1, Dartmoor 1, Dorchester 1, Durham 2, Exeter 1, Gloucester 1, Holloway 1, Hull 2, Leeds 3, Leicester 1, Lincoln 1, Liverpool 1, Maidstone 2, Manchester 2, Norwich 1, Nottingham 1, Oxford 2, Parkhurst 1, Pentonville 2, Plymouth 1, Portland 1, Portsmouth 2, Preston 1, Shepton Mallet 1, Shrewsbury 1, Swansea 1, Wakefield 1, Wandsworth 2, Winchester 2, Wormwood Scrubs 1. In addition to our inspections we have, as occasion arose, visited different establishments in connection with particular questions of administration.

The general level of efficiency is, we think, being well maintained, and steady progress made in developing a system of treatment suited to the needs of the individual prisoner. Generally speaking the . administration of the Aid Societies has also maintained its advance towards efficiency in spite of the many difficulties consequent on the industrial situation. But much still remains to be accomplished in respect to this most important aspect of prison treatment, to which indeed it is the logical corollary. We feel also that the next real advance is to be found in the specialised treatment of the younger men prisoners of 21 years of age and over, many of whom are potential recidivists and recruits for the ranks of the habitual offender. We are hopeful that results, not much inferior to those obtained by the Borstal system, might be derived from a system based on similar lines applied to the younger adults, particularly as regards treatment in separate establishments under a suitable régime, and with adequate periods of detention, followed by release on probation under the care of a special branch of the Borstal Association.

M. H. M. LAMB,
E. GOLDIE-TAUBMAN.

APPENDIX No. 2.

Extracts from Annual Reports of Governors, Chaplains, and Medical Officers.

LOCAL PRISONS.

Birmingham Prison (Governor).

Time to pay fines is freely allowed and the time allowed is often extended. I am, however, still of the opinion that a number of persons reach prison in default of paying who really are unable to pay at the time but who could possibly pay by instalments. I feel that in the case of small penalties for petty offences an almost indefinite time should be allowed rather than the defendant should enter a prison for the first time.

Debtors.-There is some decrease in the numbers but not very appreciable and the variation has no significance. At the time of making this report there are in the prison 318 convicted prisoners and 54 debtors, the latter thus exceeding 14 per cent. of the total. The Bastardy and Married Women's Act furnish the great bulk of these, and some are recidivists of a very pronounced type. Of what use it is sending most of them here I am unable to discover, and what can be done to prevent them being committed to prison I confess I do not know. They are a hopeless class, generally low in character socially and of little industrial value. They constitute a puzzling problem.

These debtors can earn 5d. per diem and a daily average population of 54 would result in an expenditure of something like £350 per annum, in addition to the cost of their maintenance, all a charge upon public funds. It is a question whether those who never pay and do not intend to should be so generously treated.

Recidivism.-Amongst women prisoners it is prevalent to a very considerable degree. They are a product of environment and the social conditions of the lower quarters of the great industrial areas. Efforts of voluntary visitors and other kindly disposed persons again and again applied fail, and one is forced to the conclusion that time and effort so freely spent on endeavouring to uplift such people would be more profitably employed in more hopeful directions. Whilst here, these wretched women are generally civil, quite respectful, industrious, and seem greatly to appreciate the kindnesses that are certainly shown to them. Once outside they mingle with their old associates, thieves and prostitutes-all gaol-birds-and they are at once beyond the reach of any uplifting influence. This problem must be tackled at its source. The growing generation must be prevented from following the same course.

Birmingham Prison (Chaplain).

Attendance at chapel has continued to be voluntary and I would not like it to be otherwise, as I am convinced that the services are approached in a far better spirit now that they have ceased to be compulsory.

Birmingham Prison (Medical Officer).

During the year 39 men and 5 women have been specially transferred here from other prisons on account of mental abnormality, and have been located in the part of the hospital provided for that purpose. There have also, of course, been a number of our own local cases so located. The women have given no trouble of any kind. The conduct of the men has, on the whole, been good; such trouble as has occurred has been occasioned by one or two men. The condition of this part of the hospital has, I venture to think, been most satisfactory, having regard to the fact that men of unstable and difficult character are collected here from a wide area. The officers concerned have handled the men with admirable tact and discretion. When it appeared necessary discipline has been slightly eased, but the men have never been allowed to think that they could behave exactly as they pleased. It is obvious that the management of such a department requires tactful co-operation between the "medical" and the " discipline" authorities, and in this connection, as in every other part of my duties, I have received from the Governor sympathetic assistance which I desire to acknowledge.

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The types of mental abnormality received here are most varied, and on certain of these I desire to offer a few observations. There are certain cases of mental deficiency which cannot be certified under the Mental Deficiency Act on account of the fact that the statutory definition requires proof of the existence of the mental defect from an early age.' It is, or so I believe, becoming recognized that the Act requires amendment in this respect. defectives, as is also the case with epileptics, experience great difficulty in obtaining work when at liberty. As a result many of them are practically forced to commit offences. To send these men to the workhouse, on release from prison, is usually futile, for they will not remain in that institution. It would appear that some national scheme is required for this class of case, a scheme which should provide, with due safeguards, for indeterminate detention under non-penal conditions. I suggest a national scheme because the smaller local authorities could not be expected to maintain institutions. There is also the important question of the character changes occurring after encephalitis lethargica. That some form of institution for the detention and care of these cases is required appears to be generally recognized. The available statistics (it is admitted that, at present, they are not large) show that 18 per cent. of those who recover from the acute stage of this disease exhibit character alterations, and some of these unfortunate persons become delinquents.

Much attention has been given during recent years to the estimation of the intelligence of offenders. It has been shown that the estimates formerly given as to the percentage of offenders who are of defective intelligence were far too high; on the use, that is to say, of any reasonable standard of measurement, for a scheme could be devised which would bring the majority of persons, whether offenders or otherwise, within the category of intelligence defectives. This most necessary work must, of course, continue; for the elimination of possible defect of intelligence must be one of the first steps taken when dealing with any case; but defect of intelligence is not the only nor the most frequent nor the most important mental abnormality acting as a causative factor in the production of delinquency. It is becoming clear that defect of intelligence is not to be compared in importance to emotional abnormality. It is to the estimation of these emotional abnormalities that our work must now be directed. All persons suffer, to some extent, from emotional abnormality. Our task is to determine the nature of, and, if possible, to correct the

mental abnormalities of our offenders; we have to consider the connection of the emotional abnormality with the offence committed. The task is far more difficult than that of the measurement of intelligence; but it should not be insuperable. The facts necessary for the solution of the problem are becoming clearer, but the problem can only be solved by the careful and intensive investigation of individual cases, and this implies the provision of the necessary investigators.

Bristol Prison (Governor).

Since my last report the Military Authorities appear to have reverted to their former policy and now very seldom take any lads back to the Army. This is a great pity, as many good youngsters are thereby lost to the Army and many fools, who might have made good, returned to civil life, where they will probably go wrong again.

There seems still to be a certain tendency to commit men for shorter terms on repeating the same offences, and it is difficult to understand what the underlying principle can be. To take concrete examples, three men who had been sentenced to terms of 18 months, 9 months and 6 months' imprisonment, respectively, for housebreaking, etc., after a short spell of liberty spent in committing extensive burglaries, were convicted together and all sent back for 6 months only; and another old offender, with over 20 previous convictions, is sent back for 14 days' hard labour for theft. Surely it would be better for the men, and more economical for the country, to increase their sentences. These inadequate penalties only encourage law breakers.

Bristol Prison (Chaplain).

Every prisoner is interviewed on reception and invited to suggest for the guidance of the Committee the best way in which he can be helped. If he is married, a visit is made to his home, his wife and children are provided with temporary support until friends can be communicated with and their active sympathy enlisted. In the event of that failing, the Poor Law Guardians or other authorities are approached. This relieves the man of much mental distress and anxiety, and encourages him to repose greater confidence in those who are out to assist him. He is invited to attend a Committee meeting a month previous to his discharge, when full inquiry is made into his prospects. Should he so desire, communication is entered into with his former employer with a view to his reinstatement, or, failing this, every effort is made to find him some other suitable employment. The condition of his clothes and his monetary requirements are inquired into and grants made accordingly. On the day of the prisoner's discharge he is provided with the necessary clothing, referred to the employer who has kindly undertaken to find him work, supplied with food or lodgings or the necessary money to support him till he is in receipt of his first wages. Clothes and tools which may have been pawned are redeemed. Clergy and others likely to be of assistance are put into communication with the prisoner.

Brixton Prison (Medical Officer).

The number sent by the Courts for special medical report was 621, about one in every thirteen. This proportion remains remarkably constant from year to year.

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