Prisons Board.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1922, Page 3

Prisons Board.

REPORT OF YEAR’S WORK. WELLINGTON, Sept. 20.

Tin' iiimiiiil report of the Prisons |’.)iird, presented to the House to-doy, shows that for the period 1011 to 1021 t! e total number of prisoners sentenced i , reformative detention was 1737. Of t! at number 1180 were released on the roiommciulatioii of the Hoard, and lOb were discharged on completion of sentence. Twenty-two died while undergoing sentence, and ‘2l were committed To mental hospitals, etc., leaving 340 remaining in the reformatories at Decipher 31st, 1021. Of the total number released after undergoing reformative detention. 20 per cent have been returned to prison, either for non-com- . pliance with the conditions of release or of committing further offences. Five per cent have died, absconded, etc., leaving 77 per cent who have not further offended. Of the number committed to reformatories, 03 individuals were returned twice, 20 three times. 8 four times, 4 five times, and 1 seven i times. j The total number of declared habitual criminals was 300, of whom 2-70 were released ow the recommendation of the Hoard. Four died while under-I going sentence, leaving 72 at December ; Ist. 1021. Of the total number of j habitual criminals released on probation, 70 per cent were returned to prison either for non-compliance with | Ibe conditions of probation or for committing further offences. Twenty-six per cent have left the Dominion, absconded. etc., leaving 24 per cent who have not further offended. Of those returned to prison, 24 returned twice. 3 returned three times, 1 returned four times, and 1 returned five times. A table shows that the number of cases considered m 11120 exceeded that of the previous year by almost 200— 1020—(IIS. 1021—841. The report states that this substantial increase is largely accounted for by the extension of the powers of the Prisons Hoard under the Crimes Amendment Act. 1020, and the Offenders Probation Act, 1020. Where formerly the Hoard was restricted to the consideration of the cases of hard labour prisoners whose sentences exceeded two years, it now. under the latest amendment oi the Crimes Act, had conferred upon it authority to deal with’all hard labour cases irrespective of length of sentence. The Hoard believes the new prison system that has been in force fur the past eleven years, modified as it has been in some details, has been establishing robust health and by sure reward for exemplary conduct and industry been successful in reclaiming many from an evil career, and in helping the individual to lead the life of a good citizen. The Hoard, however, feels that much more must he done to continue and consolidate the worn after discharge oi inmates from our prisons and reformatory institution?. Suitah’e work must In 1 found for inmates on discharge, and intelligent cublnoeo and help afforded them. When visiting farm properties »ndoi development by tile Prisons Department. the memlmrs of the Hoard have been impressed with the good effect i | this work upon the inmates ami of the satisfactory financial results obtained liv the sale of butter fat and general faun produce. We understand that the total cash receipts of the prisons have been, during the last financial year, l! ttI.SOG. but tile value of’the pris iits' labour is more than that sum. IVr tie public works ol the country have I mil aided bv prison labour to the extent of 021.000. The Hoard again refers to its recommendation in last yea •'s report * leu 1imr with the increasing number of sexual offences. and suggests 'an amendment to the Crimes Act undei which such offenders could he deal' v.-o li s'i nl il'callv—•'■! ) H'loro sept** * i ■■ ’ is pronounced I"- furnishing exi—>u emdicnl or surgical reports or . t uictm > • 2l I v sanctioning an • indo-tm-minafe sentence; I,‘V) bv seg'"'gating n ■roin s,, sentenc’d and subjecting tin"'! niu'or pnumr safeguards to anv mod''*.! ci- stti'gial treatment which m• ■■ *• ■ fl'icnmd necessarv or expedient for di'dr own good cr in the pid he interest