MODERN PROBLEMS.—V

PSYCHOLOGY AND CRIME

MODERN PROBLEMS

PSYCHOLOGY ANDCRIME

By THOMAS HOLMES

SECRETARY OF THE HOWARD ASSOCIATIONAUTHOR OFLONDON POLICE COURTS, ETC.

LONDON
J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD.
MCMXII

All rights reserved

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PREFACE

Sincerely do I hope that the issue of this littlebook may prove useful in drawing the attentionof the public to the mental and physical conditionof the unfortunates who form such a large proportionof our prison population.

To our authorities the sad plight of this massof smitten humanity is well known. Year afteryear our Prison Commissioners, in presentingtheir reports, have not failed to impress upon theState the great part physical and mental afflictionsplay in the production of crime.

So far, the information given by the PrisonCommissioners has produced little or no effect;neither have their representations led to anyalteration in the treatment of unfortunate individualswhose infirmities are in reality the rootcause of their delinquency.

To the official information I add the result ofmy own prolonged experience. This experiencehas imbued me with the conviction that thepresent methods of dealing with suffering humanityare neither wise, just, nor efficacious. I have seenthe helplessness of so many that are called criminalsthat, in writing these pages, I am animatedwith a keen desire to hasten the day of sensiblereform. Surely the day cannot be far distantwhen the State will take mental and physicalinfirmities into consideration when it has to dealwith its erring children.

Thomas Holmes.

Howard Association,
Devonshire Chambers, Bishopsgate.

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CONTENTS