Fonds - Royal Commission Concerning Jails in the Province of Nova Scotia

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Royal Commission Concerning Jails in the Province of Nova Scotia

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    Fonds

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    Statement of scale (cartographic)

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    Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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    Date(s)

    • 1933 (Creation)
      Creator
      Nova Scotia. Royal Commission Concerning Jails in the Province of Nova Scotia

    Physical description area

    Physical description

    118 pages of textual records

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    Name of creator

    (1931-1933)

    Administrative history

    The Nova Scotia Royal Commission Concerning Jails in the Province of Nova Scotia, also known as the Campbell Commission, was created on December 29, 1931. Alexander J. Campbell, senior lawyer in Truro, was appointed chairperson along with Reverend Charles F. Curran of Halifax, Dr. Samuel W. Williamson of Yarmouth, Justice A.D. Campbell of Sydney and Professor S.H. Prince of Halifax as co-commissioners. Its mandate was to investigate and make recommendations for improvement of the conditions of all jails and their administration in the province. The Royal Commission held 40 public and private meetings attended by 1000 citizens, received evidence from over 200 witnesses, and consulted with municipal officials, supreme court judges, police, and leading world experts. They conducted visits of inspection to all jails, and many lock-ups and police stations in 24 towns across Nova Scotia. They visited other jails, reformatories and penal institutions in Ontario and Quebec, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The Commission found that generally existing accommodations in jails were unfit for human habitation, and among their recommendations suggested the establishment of a central provincial institution based on a prison farm model, not sending women to male facilities, and better community support for released inmates. The Royal Commission submitted its report to Government in 1933 and then disbanded.

    Custodial history

    Scope and content

    Fonds consists of the Royal Commission’s original typed report signed by the five commissioners.

    Notes area

    Physical condition

    Immediate source of acquisition

    Transferred from the Government of Nova Scotia.

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    Language of material

    • English

    Script of material

      Location of originals

      Availability of other formats

      The Commission’s Report is also available online via the Nova Scotia Legislative Library website. https://legcat.gov.ns.ca/

      Restrictions on access

      Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

      Copyright held by the Province of Nova Scotia (crown).
      See Nova Scotia Archives’ Services page for information on copying, reproduction, and use of materials.

      Finding aids

      Associated materials

      See also Report of the Royal Commission Concerning Jails, Province of Nova Scotia (Halifax: Minister of Public Works and Mines, Kings Printer, 1933) in Nova Scotia Archives Library (reference number: HV 8395 N68 1933).

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      General note

      Also known as the Campbell Commission.

      Alternative identifier(s)

      Reference

      RG 44 Volume 3 File 16

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