The New Haven experiment was viewed as
successful, according to a report by George
Grant at the 1941 Magistrates’ Convention.
E.G.B. (Ernie) Stevens agreed that the
experiment in segregation was generally
successful, but cited three main problems with
its operation:

1. Inadequate staff for an open institution;

2. Dependence on volunteers for many
programs; and

3. Confusion regarding administrative
responsibility. (Officially, Oakalla was the
parent institution.)

Probation

In spite of the war, reform efforts continued. In
1942, the attorney general announced to the
press that a provincial probation system for
adult courts would be established. After this
announcement, Ernie Stevens was appointed
follow-up officer for young adult offenders and
began establishing a provincial adult probation
service.

Vancouver's Senior Police Magistrate, Herbert
S. Wood, and J.D. Hobden were influential in
this development. A voluntary probation
setvice was initiated by the John Howard
Society under the direction of J.D. Hobden in
the Vancouver court of Magistrate Wood in
October 1941, Thirty-five men and women
were referred to volunteer probation officers
before the provincial government assumed

responsibility.

After the appointment of Ernie Stevens, an
informal advisory group was formed. It
submitted a brief to the attorney general
recommending an adult probation service for
the province.” At a meeting held in May 1942,
it was decided that Stevens would supervise
adult male offenders, and Mary Nicholson of

the John Howard Society and Major Prances
Wagner of the Salvation Army would continue
to supervise females remanded for sentencing.

Until the province passed a probation act,
deferred sentences would be used for
individuals on probation rather than suspended
sentences. A deferred sentence required an
offender to sign a card outlining the terms of
the sentence.

Judges in the Vancouver area were advised
about the availability of supervision for
individuals on deferred or suspended sentences.
This information was presented at a meeting of
the advisory group in June 1942. Magistrate
Wood also submitted a draft probation act.

The advisory group decided to pressure the
attorney general to present the bill to the
legislature at the next session. It also pressed
him to write to each magistrate and judge
explaining the use of probation to treat young
offenders—now a policy of his department.
The attorney general did not act on either
suggestion, but the service continued.

26 Ernie Stevens’ brother (Gordon) was a probation officer with the Vancouver Juvenile Court. Magistrate Wood
was also judge of this court. Gordon Stevens arranged for his brother to meet Magistrate Wood regarding the

initiation of the provincial probation system.

Era of Punishment (1871-1949)

49