Background
Paterson was born in Bowdon, near Altrincham, Cheshire.
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Alexander Paterson
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended school in Manchester and later studied at University College, Oxford where he obtained an honours degree in Greats. Not long after he graduated, Paterson went to work with the Oxford Medical Mission, a Christian charity which dealt with underprivileged youth in Bermondsey, South London.
Career
He recounted his experiences there in his 1911 book, Across the Bridges. Later, he became the first chairman of the charity, Toc H.
In 1922, he was appointed Commissioner of Prisons and Director of Convict Prisons, a position he held until his retirement in 1946. During his period as Commissioner of Prisons, Paterson used Wakefield Prison as a testing ground for his reforms, such as establishing a farm within the prison in which inmates could learn agricultural skills.
Prisoners were also allowed to earn small sums working, attend training courses and participate in games.
In his view, the security of a prison"s system was very important but it should not be dehumanizing. Among his initiatives to improve the prison system, he pointed out the problem of isolating prisoners, imposing the use of prison uniforms, and not monitoring prisoners after their release.
In his views, the prison system should not dehumanize:
Paterson was knighted in 1947 and died shortly afterwards in London at the age of 62.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
November 7, 1947 (aged 62) -
Nationality
British -
Religion
Christian