"Plea for Prison Reform Wins Contest for Girl," Toronto Star. May 14, 1935. Page 10. ---- Brampton, May 14. - "All prison procedure should aim to assist the criminal to become a useful member of society." declared Miss Ilda Steele, in oration which won for her the Walker Oratorical contest. She pointed out that punishment and levying of fines never reformed the offender.
"Our prisons are removing every atom of initiative, the last trace of responsibility, and all individuality," she claimed. "All are treated alike-men of good background, as well as the scrapings from the slums; first offenders as well as old repeaters. All are thrown into the prison melting-pot. We spice the mixture with a sprinkling of idleness, shiftlessness, over-crowding, and produce the habitual criminal.
"Prison management should strive for reformation rather than revenge. Instead of 'making the punishment fit the crime.' it should seek to make the treatment suit the individual."
Miss Steele represented St. Paul's United church. The other three contestants were Miss Edith Lougheed of the Baptist church, Ernest Clark of the Presbyterian church and Pat Henry of Grace United church.