Lead Opinion
Thе single question presented is whether one who pleads not guilty by reason of mental derangement to a felony may be committed to the state рrison. The pertinent statute (R. L., c. 429, s. 3) provides: “In either of the cases afоresaid the court, if it is of opinion that it will be dangerous that such person should go at large, may commit him to the prison or to the state hospital, there to remain until he is discharged by due course of law.”
It is undisputed that aggravаted assault is a felony and upon conviction the respondent may bе sentenced to state prison. R. L., c. 455, s. 23; Newell v. Moreau, 94 N. H. 439, 441. Nor is there any doubt that this defendant could be committed to the state hospital. Defendant maintains, howevеr, that the phrase “the prison” in the quoted statute refers only to a cоunty jail or house of correction and not to the state prison and hаs submitted a comprehensive brief analyzing the prior legislation on crime and insanity in support of that contention. Stated otherwise defendant contends that there can be no commitment to state prison unless the statute specifically names the state prison.
Title xxxvii of the Revised Laws defining the majority of crimes and offenses in the state uses the verb “imprisoned” throughout as applicable to felonies punishable by sentences tо state prison as well as misdemeanors punishable by sentences to jаil or house of correction. See R. L., c. 440, s. 21; R. L., c. 455, s. 16. Title xxxvm of the Revised Laws, Imprisonment, uses the term “prisoners” throughout as applicable to cоmmon or county jails (R. L., c. 461), houses of correction (R. L., c. 462, s. 4) and the state prison (R. L., c. 464). This indicates the generic nature of the word “prison” and allied terms as used in our statutes even though there is a well defined distinction between the state prison on the one hand аnd county jails and houses of correction on the other hand. See Martin v. Martin, 47 N. H. 52, 53.
*6
Nоw, as formerly, the legislation relating to confinement and imprisonment is not as perfect as it might be
(State
v.
Shattuck,
45 N. H. 205) but, when construed in accordance with popular understanding, it has not proved to be a deterrent to its effective аdministration. Cf.
Petition of Morin,
95 N. H. 518. If the word “prison” in R. L., c. 429, s. 3 is construed as including the state prison but not limited to that institution, there is consistency in all the statutes. Such an interpretation is followed elsewhere
{Sturtevant
v.
Commonwealth,
The order of the Court is affirmed without precluding thе Court from modifying the order in the future if changed conditions or the interest of the public or the defendant require such modification under R. L., c. 429, s. 4 or, if apрlicable, Laws 1949, cc. 313 and 314.
Exceptions overruled.
Addendum
On motion for rehearing.
Willoughby A. Colby (by brief), for the motion.
Objection is made that the order fails to cоnsider pertinent statutes. R. L., c. 429, s. 20, provides: “When a convict is sentenced to the state prison otherwise than for life, or as an habitual criminal, the сourt imposing the sentence shall not fix the term of imprisonment, but shall establish a maximum and miriimum term for which said convict may be held in said prison.” The failure of the order in this case to establish a maximum and minimum term is claimed to be in violatiоn of the statute. The order was not a sentence (R. L., c. 429, s. 9), the confinemеnt was not punishment for the alleged crime and the statute has no application. The commitment of mentally deranged persons is necessаrily for an indefinite term until they recover or are “discharged by due course of law.” R. L., c. 429 s. 3.
Motion denied.