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PRISON POPULATION

LOWEST RATIO FOR MANY YEARS DEGREASE OF YOUTHFUL CRIME [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 25. Since 1931 there has been a decrease of 29 per cent, in the prison population of the Dominion, and the report of the department, presented to Parliament, shows that the drop in receptions last year was 558, the average number of prisoners in custody daily having been 1,360. In several other respects the report presents reassuring features. The number of distinct persons dealt with for offences was 355 fewer than in the previous year, although recent figures were inflated by including 70 seamen who, as the result of a dispute, were received into Paparua Prison one evening and discharged on the magistrate’s recommendation next morning. The ratio of prisoners received to every 10,000 of population, 15.33, compared very favourably with the ratio of over 31 in 1914, and is the lowest for many years. _ Attention was called in last year s report to the falling off in crime among young persons, and the latest figures show a maintenance of this tendency; and of 2,376 prisoners sentenced, almost three-quarters" of them received sentences of six months or less, while the total number sentenced was 20. per cent, fewer than in 1933.

One person was sentenced to death during the year. •“ On account of the Press publicity given capital offences, and the intense interest aroused in certain recent murder trials,” adds the report, “ an impression has been created in certain quarters that the crime of murder is on the increase in the Dominion. New Zealand is fortunate in having no criminal gangs such as those that prey on society, with utter disregard to the sanctity of human life in the larger cities of many countries abroad.” Analysing the causes of homicide in New Zealand, the Under-Secretary of the department suggests that they arise from sordid living conditions, domestic quarrels, and brawls, drinking, fighting, and blows. The Borstal system continues, according to the report, to give good results. The reduction in crime among young people is reflected in a fall in the number of cases received last year. It also indicates, states the report, that the courts are now sending to the Borstal only cases where it is necessary m the interests of the protection of the community, and in. tli© interests or the offenders themselves. Notwithstanding the difficult human material handled, of 4,555 young men to the Invercargill and Waikeria institutions since their establishment, only 15 per cent, have been reconvicted; while of the 214 young women released from Point Halswell, only a little over 11 per cent, have again appeared before the courts. The report, however, stresses the need for close attention to aftei-eaie so as to prevent drifting back to previous environment and the habits which led to the original offences. On the financial side, the Prisons Department shows improving results. The expenditure has been decreasing for five years, and the net reduction last year was £6,100. The gross expenditure was £137,484; credits totalled £60,242. “Our industries,” adds the report, “on the whole are in better position than at any time during the past four years. Farm cash revenue although below the immediate pre-dc-pression period, is gradually recovering, and for the past year reached approximately £21,000. The quarry _ business realised £13,700; roadwork activity wa: maintained and earned over £ll,ovU.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19350926.2.123

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 15

Word count
Tapeke kupu
557

PRISON POPULATION Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 15

PRISON POPULATION Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 15

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