PRISON AND HOMOSEXUALS
Si,—Lord Justice Finnemore, in dealing with a prisoner charged this week with a home), sexual offence, said that he thought that a prison specially founded for the treatment of this type of prisoner should be established. In this he is certainly right. As a result of thirty-five years' experience as a magistrate, during which time I have frequently had t6 deal with sexual abnormalities, I am satisfied that a routine prison sentence is quite useless and generally leaves the prisoner worse rather than better as a result of his punishment.
Recently, when I discussed this problem with one of our leading neurologists with 4 life's experience behind him, he expressed to me the view that the homosexual was un4 certifiably insane, and while conscious of hiS weakness was unable to resist it. His view was that the only cure could be found through understanding medical treatment.
While it is true that the public must be protected from this degrading type of offence, ordinary prison treatment simply confirms the disease---and it is a disease—and is therefore quite fruitless. A prisoner can be cured if wisely treated, but it is barbarous to pass on him the usual vindictive sentence which is frequently inflicted, and when this is dis- charged, the prisoner is returned to freedom again, with his evil habit (which is generally beyond his control) as a continued danger to his fellow citizens.
Most experienced judges will certainly confirm this fact, and Justice Finnemore has suggested a wise alternative course.—Yours faithfully,
ANGUS WATSON
Sunlight Chambers, 2-4 Bigg Market, Newcastle-on-Tyne, I
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