OCR Text |
Show CARNIVAL OF CRIME IN DEAR j OLD SCOTLAND j The annual report of the Psfaon Com-misloners Com-misloners for Scotland says that Scotland Scot-land Is "still very near the top of a wave of disorder and criminality." With" the exception of the record year 1901, there were more, cases of imprisonment imprison-ment last year than in any former year. The total for 1902 stands at 63,721, which Is less than that of 1901 by 1048, but much higher than that of .any year previous to 1901. Commitals to prison In Scotland continue con-tinue to be abnormally higher than they are in England or Ireland, as the following fol-lowing figures show: Scotland 1.4!ti imprisonment to every 100.WO of population. Ireland 7K " " "t Enelund S15 " " The report atributes what it calls this "unenviable distinction" of Scotland first, to the larger number of minor offenses of-fenses prosecuted in that country, and secondly, to the fact that In Scotland 50 per cent In Ireland U per cent In Kngland W percent of those fined do not. pay, and are Imprisoned. Im-prisoned. ' "These figures," says the Commissioners, Commis-sioners, "appear nearly incredible, and deserve grave consideration." - Of last year's 65.700 commitments 46,-000 46,-000 were accounted for as follows: For breach of peace '. .... 22.500 For drunkenness 17.f0 For obscenity t 5,900 The Commissioners "desire to draw I attention to the increase of assaults by husbands on wives, and of sentences for j cruel treatment of children." I |