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 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Report of the
Director of New Haven
For the Year Ended December 31st
1955
VICTORIA, B.C.
Printed by Don McDiarmid, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
1956 s To His Honour Frank Mackenzie Ross, C.M.G., M.C.,
Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia.
May it please Your Honour:
The undersigned has the honour to submit the Report of the Director of New Haven
for the year ended December 31st, 1955.
R. W. BONNER,
A ttorney-General.
Attorney-General's Department,
Victoria, B.C., February, 1956. New Haven, South Burnaby, B.C., February 2nd, 1956.
The Honourable R. W. Bonner, Q.C.,
Attorney-General, Province of British Columbia,
Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C.
Sir,—In accordance with section 13 of the "New Haven Act," I have the honour
to submit my annual report, setting forth a record of the work of the institution during
the year ended December 31st, 1955.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
S. ROCKSBOROUGH SMITH,
Director. Annual Report of the Director of New Haven
For the Year Ended December 31st, 1955
During the course of the year the average daily population was 35.6. Sixty-two were
received and fifty-one were released. Seven were transferred to Oakalla Prison Farm.
These figures represent a very slight decrease from those of last year. There were times
when the accommodation of the institution was taxed to the extreme, both in the spring
and late fall of the year, and there were other times, in the summer, when the daily average
population fell as low as twenty-nine.
As in former years, the Classification Committee at Oakalla was responsible for
selecting the intake for New Haven. While this system is working with greater efficiency
as increased facilities are placed at the disposal of the Committee, it is to be hoped that
in time more observations and test results can be recorded while a youth is undergoing
classification, and that these will accompany him when he is transferred.
The problem of the short sentence is still causing concern. Youths sentenced to less
than six months definite invariably find it difficult to settle down to their training. When
they learn on arrival that it will take them at least six months to complete their training,
they frequently request a transfer back to Oakalla, feeling that they will get out sooner.
I am firmly of the opinion that effective training cannot be carried out in less than six
months, and that we should be considering lengthening rather than shortening our training programme. The short sentence has long been unsparingly condemned by penologists,
prison administrators, and informed public opinion alike. It seldom leads to rehabilitation, does not protect society, and has no place in the modern correctional system.
Owing to expanding probation facilities, many who formerly would have been committed to New Haven are now treated on probation. This has resulted in an increasing
number of more disturbed lads being committed to the institution, and has proved a
challenge to the members of the staff. Many of them are not prepared to accept the
programme without considerable interpretation and have to be handled with a great deal
of patience and understanding. Their period of training must of necessity be longer, for
in most cases there is much to be broken down before any positive achievement can be
looked for.
Stress has continued to be laid on the achievement of a high standard. It is felt
essential, particularly in the training of young men, many of whom are basically insecure
and lacking in confidence, to show them that a high standard can be reached with application and persistence. I am pleased to be able to report that not only in the trade-training
and hobby work has a high standard of excellence been maintained by our lads, but also
in their conduct, attitude, and in their growing sense of responsibility.
Every, effort has been made to foster and maintain this sense of personal responsibility. Senior lads are required to assume some responsibility in the general functioning
of the institution, either as members of the House Committee or acting as Duty Senior for
the day, a duty which is rotated among the seniors. Lads formally apply for their promotion to senior grade, and later on for their release on licence. The onus of proving their
fitness is placed squarely on their own shoulders, and many a lad has spent an awkward
hour or so trying to concoct a letter to convince the Board of Parole that he is fit for
release when he has not honestly been able to convince himself.
In July I was requested by the Inspector of Gaols to prepare a site and organize a
small forestry camp for " star class" prisoners in the southern part of Garibaldi Park,
J GG 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA
some 12 miles from Haney. The staff and lads of New Haven have put many man hours
into this project. A camping party cleared the site in early August, and since that time
work parties have been going up, two or three times a week, to work on the site and
improve the road leading to it. This project has proved an interesting diversion from the
normal institutional routine and provided opportunities for plenty of strenuous physical
exercise.
The closest co-operation has been maintained throughout the year with the British
Columbia Borstal Association. This remarkable association has once again successfully
placed all our lads in employment on their release and undertaken their supervision while
on licence. Members of the association have visited the institution, both singly and in
groups, to get to know the lads, and thus be in a better position to help them when they
are ready for release. J. D. Rickaby, the association's executive director, has been in
constant touch with New Haven. His counsel and assistance and ever-ready willingness
to perform any task which will facilitate a youth's rehabilitation have been invaluable.
During the year the association became a member of the Greater Vancouver Community
Chest and is now a Red Feather agency. This will assure the association of a regular
income in the future and relieve the directors of the time-consuming task of an annual
financial appeal.
ADMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES
The roll on January 1st, 1955, was thirty-six; on December 31st, 1955, it was thirty-
nine. Sixty-two were admitted and fifty-one were released. Seven were returned to
Oakalla, five for absconding, and two as unsuitable for further training in an open
institution.
Six absconded. This figure represents 6.1 per cent of those passing through the
institution during the year. All, save one, received additional sentences for absconding.
Only one of the six was returned to New Haven.
The average age on reception of those committed to the institution was 19.1 years,
as compared to 18.7 years in 1954 and 18.4 years in 1953.
The following table lists the offences for which youths were committed to New
Haven:—
Breaking and entering and theft  20
Breaking and entering     3
Theft      8
Theft of automobile  12
False pretences      5
Forgery      3
Robbery with violence     4
Manslaughter      2
Carnal knowledge     3
Contributing to juvenile delinquency     2
Possession of explosives      1
Possession of stolen property     1
Dangerous driving      1
Breach of recognizance     1
The average length of stay at the institution was 8.7 months, as compared with 8.4
months last year.
TRAINING
The same over-all training programme which has proved effective in former years
was followed with few modifications.   Continued emphasis was placed on the develop- REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF NEW HAVEN
GG 7
ment of habits of industry and application, participation and mutual co-operation in
group activities, and the growth of personal responsibility and trust.
Vocational
All lads are occupied in vocational training during the working part of each day,
with the exception of those in their first month. These work on the cleaning party and
are available for interviews and testing.
The four trade parties—woodworking, metalwork, cooking and baking, and farming—had their full quota of trainees over the greater part of the year.
The fifteen on the farm were engaged in outside work—feeding and caring for the
animals, planting and harvesting a small field crop, looking after the grounds and buildings, and constructing a poultry-house with cement blocks. These lads also formed the
nucleus of the day parties working at the forestry camp-site in Garibaldi Park.
Of the eleven working in the kitchen, some were engaged in learning the fundamentals of cookery and baking, attending weekly lectures and gaining practical experience while assisting with the preparation of the institution's meals; others worked as
dining-room attendants, with special emphasis on the care and cleanliness of crockery
and utensils, setting and laying of tables, and the proper manner in which to serve food
and wait on table. They all assisted in the preparation, cooking, and serving of 42,751
meals.
The twenty-six who obtained their training in the woodworking-shop commenced
by learning to make simple wood joints with the use of hand-tools. From there they
progressed to a variety of projects, making use of the joints they had learned. As quickly
as possible, each lad was advanced to machine operations, and his projects increased in
complexity as he became more skilled and efficient. A number undergoing training in
the wood-shop have taken up apprenticeship in carpentry on their release.
The metal-shop had thirty undergoing training during the course of the past year.
Here, as in the wood-shop, lads have the opportunity of gaining experience in all phases
of the trade, under an experienced instructor. Instruction in benchwork, lathe, sheet
metal, welding, and mechanical draughting are available. The equipment of the shop
was augmented by the purchase of two new lathes and an electric welder during the year.
The directors of the Borstal Association have announced the setting-up of an endowment fund as a memorial to the late R. J. Lecky, one of the association's founders and
past presidents. It is intended that the earnings from this fund shall be used to pay for
further vocational training for any really promising lad who, on release, might benefit
from additional training but is unable to afford it. This will prove a great stimulus to
those who want to get ahead and have the intelligence and ability to advance further in
their trade.
Educational
The evening academic programme, under the direction of the Housemaster, has
remained unchanged. Mr. Davies interviews all receptions after their arrival and decides
what correspondence courses will best suit their needs, bearing in mind their mental
capacity, educational attainment, the trade party in which they are hoping to enrol, and
their plans for the future. Those retarded youths incapable of handling a correspondence
course are enrolled in a special class and given individual attention by Mrs. Page, a part-
time teacher experienced in remedial teaching methods.
Mr. Davies reports:—
"During the past year sixty-eight enrolled in high-school courses, as shown
hereunder:— GG 8
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Art 10  1
Automotive 91  18
Automotive 92  3
Book-keeping 34  3
Business Arithmetic 12___ 5
Diesel 91   2
Electricity 20  3
Forestry 30  4
Grammar and Composition 10  1
Grammar and Composition 20  1
Health 20  1
Homemaking 10  5
House Furnishing  1
House Building and Construction   3
House Painting and Decorating 	
Mechanical Drawing	
Mathematics 10	
Mathematics 20	
Mathematics 101	
6
2
7
5
1
Radio and Wireless  2
Record-keeping 11   2
Steam Engineering  2
Social Studies 10  1
Social Studies 20  3
Social Studies 30  4
English 10  1
English 20  2
English 32  1
English 40   1
French 10  1
Business Fundamentals  1
" Enrolment in the special class was twenty-five.
" In reviewing the work of the past year, certain highlights are worthy of special
mention. Thirteen successfully completed their courses while at New Haven; seven
averaged over 85 per cent. Three completed two courses, averaging over 85 per cent in
their final tests, and enrolled in a further course to take with them on release. A Chinese
youth, anxious to complete his matriculation, enrolled in four courses, and, by dint of
sheer hard work and persistence, passed all his subjects and sat for a Departmental
examination, which he passed with a mark of 91 per cent."
Mrs. Page, commenting on her work with the special class, writes:—
" The special class is a cross-section of lads in the low elementary grades, a few
completely illiterate, all educationally retarded, but most of them capable of absorbing
and benefiting from further schooling. Many of them are negativistic, resentful of teacher-
parent-society authority, conscious of early failure in school, reluctant to return as adults
to a learning situation found unsatisfactory in childhood. Many have not only been
unable to write and spell, but were completely without desire or initiative to do so. With
much practice these lads have plodded through the humiliation of primary reading and
spelling and basic number facts, to be able finally on leaving New Haven to express themselves acceptably in written English, to avail themselves of the institution library, and to
solve arithmetic problems of daily living. It is amazing what pride and confidence it gives
these lads to discover that they are able to achieve such accomplishments."
Mention has been made in previous Reports of the valuable part played by the
library and the use made of visual aids in the educational programme.
Religious
There have been no major changes in the religious training programme since my last
reporting. Rev. Grant Hollingworth, our visiting Protestant chaplain, has continued to
provide a vigorous and stimulating programme which has awakened considerable interest
among those of the Protestant faith. Unfortunately the Roman Catholic chaplaincy has
again undergone a number of changes. Father McAvoy was replaced by Father Gerrone,
who in turn was replaced by Father Corcoran. The importance of continuity in working
with lads who at best are rather vague about matters pertaining to their faith, and are
inclined to view every change with suspicion, cannot be overstressed. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF NEW HAVEN GG 9
Padre Hollingworth, reporting on his year's work, writes:—
" The paramount obligation of the chaplain is to ensure that proper opportunities
are given for religious devotion each Sunday, and on other days of religious or national
significance. Thus it is gratifying to report that services of worship have been held regularly each Sunday throughout the year, and on Good Friday and Remembrance Day.
On the fourth Sunday of each month Rev. Harold Berry has conducted the service, and
his assistance, together with that of Mr. Frank Hicks, our voluntary organist, who not
only acted as organist each Sunday, but also organized a choir for carol singing at Christmas, has been most helpful and is greatly appreciated.
" It is to the chaplain, further, that the lad chiefly turns for instruction and advice
in matters of religion and morals. Frequently the chaplain can and does resolve the
doubts of a confused, bewildered youth, and in addition teaches the fundamental truths
of religion, which in many cases has either not been learned or has been forgotten.
" This aspect of the chaplain's work is undertaken by means of a twofold programme. The first is by the regular use—one each week—of a religious film which
stresses at least one specific Christian truth. This is normally followed by a discussion of
the theme of the film. During the last quarter of the year a series of thirteen films upon
the life and work of the Apostle Paul were shown. The interest which these films evoked
warrants an extension of the use of such films at regular intervals to youths of this
age-group.
" The second aspect of this programme is developed by means of a more intensive
religious discussion group which meets on Wednesday evenings and is of a voluntary
nature. The subjects discussed are those suggested by the lads themselves, and the questions asked and the problems presented reflect the interest and concern of those present
in securing an adequate philosophy of life—a " faith to live by." Copies of the devotional
booklet, " The Upper Room," have been distributed to all those who agree to use them
daily, and New Testaments have been given to any requesting them.
" Recognizing the fact that, before free and frank discussion is possible, the chaplain and the lad concerned must get to know one another; each new admission is interviewed by the chaplain soon after his arrival. Through an awareness of the boy's religious
background which comes from the initial interview, the chaplain, at a later date, is in a
more favourable position to counsel and advise. The relationship which is frequently
established between the lad and the chaplain has, on a number of occasions, extended on
after the lad has left the institution, and local churches are encouraged to pursue this
relationship and the lad's interest in religion, so that what has been kindled while at New
Haven may not die out upon his release."
We are very proud of our two new chapels, which were completed in August. These
chapels, Protestant and Roman Catholic, were constructed from two old rooms in the
main building by our own lads and fitted with furnishings made in the wood-shop.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SPORT, AND ATHLETICS
Mr. Strain has been in charge of our weekly physical education classes again this
year, and all those physically fit have been taking part in the programme. The gymnasium is sadly in need of repair, the floor having sagged in one corner, but I have been
assured by the Department of Public Works that we shall have a new gymnasium next
year. This will allow us to increase and develop both the physical training and the sports
programme.
Mr. Willox, supervisor in charge of sports, was responsible for training and coaching our softball and basketball teams. Both teams had a good season and drew high
praise for the quality of their conduct and sportsmanship. In basketball, eight " away "
games were played with the Princess Margaret High School (Newton), the Provincial
Normal School, and St. Mary's Church (Kerrisdale).   In softball, we entered the Kerris- GG  10 BRITISH COLUMBIA
dale Merchants' League (Senior C) and played twenty games—ten at home and ten at
city parks. This was a very strong league, the ultimate winners winning the British
Columbia championship. Although we were outclassed, the morale of our team was
high throughout the entire season. The annual track and field meet, scheduled for July
1st, had to be cancelled this year on account of bad weather and the state of our playing-
fields. Volleyball, floor hockey, weight-lifting, and table-tennis, all have their devotees
at New Haven, and many keenly contested intergroup tournaments and competitions were
held throughout the year. During the year we prepared and seeded down a small piece
of ground, higher than the surrounding area, to use as a soccer pitch. The season commenced hopefully, but after a month's play the field became flooded and could no longer
be used. One of the big disadvantages of our property at New Haven is the fact that
it is so low lying and gathers so much water that it becomes unusable by the late fall,
and remains so all winter.
Once again a party of ten lads went up to Camp Artaban on Gambier Island and
spent ten days preparing the site for its summer operations. This is always a much-
anticipated outing and has now become an accepted part of our programme.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
Our medical officer and psychiatrist, Dr. R. G. E. Richmond, and visiting psychologist, Mr. R. McAllister, paid weekly visits to the institution throughout the year. Their
advice and practical help have always been most valuable. Dr. Richmond, reporting on
his work at New Haven, writes:—
" There has been no change in the medical routine since the submission of the last
annual report. Weekly visits have continued to be paid by the medical officer and psychologist. A psychiatric report is prepared on each inmate shortly after admission, and
those requiring further psychiatric exploration have been visited additionally.
" The programme is such that it appears to minimize emotional disturbances, with
the result that equilibrium is maintained amongst a majority of the inmates. The classification picture has changed somewhat owing to the increased services made available
by probation. Many of the lads who would have been committed to New Haven in
former years have been placed on probation, with the result that the type of candidate
for New Haven has varied accordingly. The impression gained is that there are more
selected for New Haven who are less mature and potentially more delinquent than previously. Many are educationally retarded but make good progress under the skilled
tuition of Mrs. Page.
" The increased frequency of sentences which include only a three months definite
plus an indefinite period has caused a certain amount of difficulty, as at New Haven the
training is geared to a progressive curriculum which cannot be undergone in less than
six months. Very few of those sentenced to such a short period of definite time are suitable for discharge on completion of three months, but provided there is adequate orientation of each individual considered suitable for New Haven, before being transferred
there, and sentenced in this category, the problem should be minimal.
" The general health of the New Haven lads has been very satisfactory. The Outpatient Department of the Vancouver General Hospital has contributed greatly to the
medical needs of the institution. However, visits to this hospital have added to the
demands on staff and transportation, and it is to be hoped that as medical facilities
expand at Oakalla Prison Farm hospital, more of the consultant and hospital requirements could be met there.
" Medical and pharmaceutical equipment has been adequate for the few demands
made upon it. At New Haven, psychiatric disturbances are rare and, therefore, there
is not the need for anything but infrequent use of the more recent psychiatric medicinal
aids. During the year, chlorpromozine was administered to one disturbed inmate with
successful results. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF NEW HAVEN
GG  11
" We remain indebted to the Division of Venereal Disease Control and the Division
of Tuberculosis Control of the Department of Health and Welfare for screening inmates
prior to their transfer to New Haven, and also for subsequent occasional assistance."
Medical Examinations
Inmates examined by the medical officer   175
Inmates escorted to Oakalla for treatment     17
Inmates admitted to New Haven infirmary      16
Inmates X-rayed	
Eye examinations 	
Supplied with glasses _.
Dental examinations ___
Supplied with dentures
Escorted to clinics	
Inmates Hospitalized at Vancouver General Hospital
Appendectomy
Sinus 	
Fracture 	
Circumcision _
Bone removal
Examinations
26
9
7
117
7
52
Mr. McAllister reports:—
"Psychological services for the year ended December 31st, 1955, have included
the individual administration by the psychologist of twenty-seven Wechsler-Bellevue
Intelligence Scales, Form I; thirteen Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scales, Form II;
and eleven Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales. Administered by Mr. V. H. Goad, social
worker at New Haven, were fifty-one California Mental Health Analyses and thirty-seven
California Occupational Interest Inventories. First steps were taken during the year to
have the California Interest Inventory administered prior to the inmate's transfer to New
Haven; that is, while he was still in the Oakalla Prison Farm classification wing. It is
planned to undertake eventually the completion of all the tests before the transfer to
New Haven is effected, which will free Mr. Goad for other work to some extent, and
should enable the psychologist, too, to give more individual attention to the needs of
the trainees at New Haven."
Working very closely with the psychiatrist and the psychologist is our full-time social
worker, Mr. V. H. Goad.   Mr. Goad, describing his work over the past year, writes:—
"During the year under review I have dealt with ninety-five cases on an individual
basis.
"As in the previous year, each new reception has been seen a number of times
during his early settling-in period, to obtain pertinent information for his file, administer
tests, and assist him in any way possible to get off to a good start.
" During the remainder of his stay at the institution each lad has been interviewed
on a monthly basis to discuss his progress as reported by the Housemaster, his instructor,
and members of the supervising staff. Those who have had difficulty have been seen
more often in an attempt to help them gain their various promotions. The standards of
performance and behaviour demanded at New Haven are very high, and some lads do
not relish the thought of exerting the amount of effort required. A few of these carry
a deep-seated psychological block which must be dealt with accordingly, but many others,
unfortunately, have simply lacked sufficient training in their upbringing. The former
have been referred to the staff psychiatrist for special interviews, but the latter have had GG 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA
to discover, through empirical trial-and-error methods, that rewards are seldom forthcoming unless they have been earned legitimately.
" Until last August we had been conducting our own tests to determine each lad's
occupational interest, as a guide when assigning him to his permanent vocational training.
Since then this testing has been done at Oakalla, prior to classification, and the results
forwarded with the other documents when a lad has been transferred to New Haven.
" The mental-health analysis is still being done by us and has proved a useful device
for assessing emotional development and social adjustment. It is interesting to note
that the six lads who absconded during the year all showed low scores for their behaviour
maturity and emotional control. But it would not be fair to refuse admission to any lads
on the basis of these scores alone, because a number of others, with similar test results,
have benefited considerably by the training they have received here.
" The Board of Parole has continued its former policy of promoting senior lads to
the discharge class two months prior to their release on licence. I have again presented
the background information and summary of accomplishments at New Haven for each
case being studied. There have been forty-five lads making their first appearance before
the Board during the year.
" I have continued to prepare discharge reports for the use of the British Columbia
Borstal Association, and these have been compiled from information gathered in each
lad's file during his period of training at the institution."
STAFF
There were two new appointments during 1955. Mr. McLeish, who had previously
been on the staff, returned to it, and Mr. McDougall joined to fill a vacancy in the
instructional cadre brought about by Mr. Alexander's resignation in March. The implementation of the forty-hour working-week made it necessary to take on one additional
supervisor, as well as a temporary summer employee to assist over the holiday period.
For this latter position we were fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. Charles Mitchell,
a theological student from St. Chad's College, Regina, who had had previous institutional
experience.   Mr. Mitchell fitted in very well and did a goob job.
In the autumn three members of the Oakalla Prison Farm staff—Messrs. Baker,
Nightingale, and Lacey—were transferred to New Haven to assist with the organization
and development of the new forestry camp project in Garibaldi Park. While at present
attached to the New Haven staff, these men will in due course be stationed at the camp
itself.
Although there was no collective staff-training programme this year, six members of
the staff attended the Gaol Service two-week basic training course, covering the fundamentals of custody, supervision methods, human behaviour, and modern penal practices.
The morale of the staff, the interest they show in their work, and their attention to
duty have always been worthy of high praise. This year has been no exception. All
members of the staff have contributed, over and above their duty, to the general welfare
of the institution, and have spent many off-duty hours working with groups of lads in
some spare-time activity.
AFTER-CARE
The after-care of lads released on licence from New Haven has continued to be
maintained at a high level. During the year the British Columbia Borstal Association
increased its membership to include thirty-nine centres throughout the Province, with a
total of 125 active sponsors. These men have given unsparingly of their time and talent
to assist those placed under their care and supervision. They deserve the highest praise.
The results of their work can best be described by quoting from the executive director's
report to the annual meeting of the association, held in Vancouver, November 28th last:— REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF NEW HAVEN GG  13
" In the past six years your association has accepted from the Parole Board of British
Columbia the supervision and after-care of 263 New Haven graduates. As Mr. Keetch
has told you, we believe that 80 per cent of this number have remained law-abiding
citizens.
" The problem of presenting accurate rehabilitation figures becomes more and more
difficult each year, as, with the passing of time, we naturally lose track of some of our
boys. We can, however, give you accurate figures as to the number who remain law-
abiding citizens during their parole period, the average length of which is eleven months.
"During the period 1952 to 1954, inclusive, 88 per cent or 120 of the 136 lads
released to our parole supervision kept within the law; however, eighteen of the 120
required help from the Parole Board, who revoked their licences and returned them to
New Haven for further training.
"At any one time your association is interested in approximately ninety young men—
forty still undergoing training at New Haven and fifty under your supervision. A goodly
number of others could be included—the many New Haven graduates whose licence
periods have expired but who continue to visit our office or their former sponsors seeking
help and advice in various matters or just wanting a friendly chat.
"Since our last annual meeting, which was held on November 29th, 1954, fifty-two
lads have been released to our care, as compared to fifty-four for the corresponding period
last year. Suitable employment and sponsors were obtained for all, and we were called
upon to locate lodgings for seven.
" To date, three of the fifty-two have been reconvicted and another eight have had
their licences revoked. Four of the eight were returned to New Haven for further training,
two were sent to Oakalla, and two are still at large. Failing to report to their sponsor,
not leading a steady and industrious life, and leaving their place of residence without
permission were, in that order, the most common parole violations.
"Many unsolicited complimentary remarks are received by your association from
time to time. Recently a lad nearing the end of his licence period wrote: 'I appreciate
all you people have done for me. I am going to write to Mr. Smith shortly and thank him
for the wonderful help he gave me in the past.' Another chap writes: ' I saw my sponsor
and he sure is a nice person to whom I can put my trust in.'   A letter from one of our
employers states:   ' I am writing to you in reference to M P .   He has turned
out to be one of the best workers I have. I have never met a boy with a nicer personality, and all the chaps who are working with him think the same as I do.'   Another
employer writes:  ' Mr. A K ■ has been employed with us for the past five months
and we take pleasure in recommending him for his honesty, application, and hard work.
We cannot recommend him too highly to his new employers.' (This comment is all the
more amazing when one realizes the young man referred to had been sent to New Haven
for breaking and entering thirty-one homes.) A parent writes: 'Both my husband and
I want to thank you for helping our son so much. Bob is a different boy now. Please
also thank Mr. Smith for the wonderful work he has done.' A mother recently stated:
' I have noticed a remarkable change for the good in Ron. He looks different, talks different, and is much more considerate. His sponsor is a really fine man and Ron thinks
the world of him.' One of our out-of-town sponsors writes of his lad: 'I hope all of
you who have worked with Jim realize what a great deal Borstal has done for him.' "
These excerpts from the files of the Borstal Association need no comment, they
speak for themselves. They do, however, demonstrate very forcibly what can be achieved
by close mutual co-operation between institution and after-care authorities.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I should like once again to express my gratitude to all those individuals and groups who have helped in so many ways during the year.   I am most grateful GG 14
BRITISH COLUMBIA
to Mr. E. G. B. Stevens, Inspector of Gaols, for his kindness and consideration at all
times; for the co-operation afforded me by Mr. Hugh Christie, Warden of Oakalla Prison;
and all those members of the Provincial Government service who have gone out of their
way to assist me in my work and willingly given of their time and skill.
victoria, B.C.
Printed by Don McDiarmid, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
1956
435-356-9609