PRISONS REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1921, Page 1

PRISONS REPORT.

VALUE OF PROBATION. WELLINGTON. O, t. 7. While it is t<»> soon to lmz.al'd an opinion as to the general effect <>f t ,u ' ronmvnl <*i’ nil rostriftions on prohatinn in lieu of Imprisonment the rciiurts of probation oMicers state that tlie (option is being fully exercised, l-or the six months ended dune ffl-'* perM.ns were placed on probation, compared will, 189 for tlie corresponding Period „|- I<i2(t. Tlie tool sum recovered Ironi proliatimiers during the six "lout is perind increased from £l2l to £IOBO. In addition to the visible gain to tlie Stale and private individuals, there is the undoubted fact that 170 persons were permitted to remain wage-earn-ers. It. is assumed that the additional probationers under the Act will number 200 per annum, an estimated savini' of £7,000 in the cst to the State. Even, the date the First Offenders I’ro|,:it inn Act. 188(1. was brought into operation, until December last 87-18 persons have been placed under probation, of whom 812 failed to comply with the conditions and were a I forwards committed to prison. The total sum recovered HABITUAL CRIMINAL'S RELAPSE. “If. is not a particularly cheering fact to place on record that r>2 per cent, of the habitual criminals released during the ten year period under review were returned to prison, while 28 per cent. have left the Dominion or absconded.” states the Prisons Board report. leaving 28 per cent, only who to tlie knowledge iff the authorities have not relapsed into criminal ways. It has been pointed out. in previous reports that many of these men are heir to criminal tendencies, moreover, hate iiad the misfortune to live in an environment which, under the circumstances could hardly hnvo failed to lead to active crime. The board in the exercise of its discretion lias given thorn an opportunity to continue in the complexities <>f the world outside the prison gab's the good record they had achieved within, and after all it i» something to he thankful for that 2b per cent, of these unfortunate beings hnvo, under generous treatment in terms of tlio Nov Zealand Criminal Law, kept, out nf prison after release on probation. The results of the probation system applied to reformatory detention prisoners have, however, been very gratifying, 74 per cent, released on probation during tlio last ten years having completed their obligations.