PROBATION SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1927, Page 4

PROBATION SYSTEM

ANNUA f/ : "RE PORT.

WELLINGTON,,' September 8,

The working of the probation system is described by the Chief Probation Officer, Mr Da Hard who states that during the past year 764 persons were granted the benefits of the Offenders Probation Act, 056 (648 previous year) being addmitted to probation by the courts direct, and 108 (102) coming under the provisions of the Act on account of having sentence deferred. These figures show that the Courts in New Zealand iiow display considerable reserve in admitting offenders to probation. Though economic stringency made it difficult for some probationers to maintain their obligations'For restitution only 146’ cut' of 1939 failed to keep the term's, restitution'moneys totalling £3537 being collected. Til'd report points out that although its social advantages will commend the probation system ns a constructive method of dealing with certain classes of offenders in preference to institutional treatment, the economic consideration, though secondary from the social standpoint, cannot he ignored. Tn this respect it may he mentioned that in addition to restoration of £3537 the cost to the [date for institutional maintenance of 7546 offenders has also been saved. .The extent of this saving cnit Ibe ’gauged better when it is noted that the average term of admission to probation is slightly over 'a year and a half, and taking the average net annual cost per capita in a penal institution ns £6O the saving" to "the .taxpayers has been well over half "a million. CHANCES FOE, PRISONERS.

The Prisons Board during last year reviewed 1138 cases and it gives particulars of the work since the inception of the scheme in 1911, adding that it is satisfactory to observe from statistics that', 1 ’ ns heretofore; not; ! a fourth of those who have undergone terms of reformative.treatment have again offended. Of those released on probation on the recommendation ot tiie‘"board 'after serving a term ot imprisonment involving hard labour, 80 per cent either successfully completed the term of probation or were (Satisfactorily complying with the conditions of release. Of habitual criminals released on parole, 23 per cent refrained Trotn'Further offending. Considering the intractable material dealt with, especially Wio latter class, and the whole of the 1 circumstances, particularly the adverse economic conditions which have without doubt accentuated difficulties that have faced the discharge? prisoner in re-establishing himself-in society, the results nre decidedly gratifying. The results of Borstal case are even inore satisfactory. Of a total of 2l| young offenders reJehsed since-' tlie* parsing of the Pretention of Ci line AcC 1924, «P to December 3, only four, or 1.87 per cent; have been, subsequently recoivvirted. ■