STARTING LIFE ANEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 January 1931, Page 5

STARTING LIFE ANEW

OFFENDERS ON PROBATION MAKING GOOD CITIZENS WORK OF AUCKLAND OFFICERS Designed with the object of assisting first offenders to rehabilitate themselves, the probation system was introduced into New Zealand with the passing of the First Offenders’ Probation Act, 1886, and since then has been an important part of the Dominion’s judicial machinery. The provisions were extended by the Offenders’ Probation Act, 1920, the scope of the law having been previously' restricted to first offenders.

Invaluable work is continually being done by Mr W. J. Campbell, district probation officer in Auckland, reports the “Herald.” He has many persons to deal with and it is his difficult task to interview and classify every offender on which a magistrate desires a report. His responsibility is indeed great, for he often has to decido whether an offender is worthy of another chance or not, and recommend the magistrate accordingly. Before Mr Campbell appear all types, from irresponsible youths to middle-aged men, many of whom have borne good characters m the past but have succumbed to temptation during a period of adversity. With untiring patience, Mr Campbell talks to each man and by kindly, yet firm questions, he gradually wins confidence and ascertains the true position. A great many of the people to whom the benefits of probation are extended are young and on the threshold of life. Possibly the most difficult class of individual is the young larrikin, who opposes all forms of discipline and declines to lead an honest life, although possessed of intelligence and fair education. Full of suspicion and distrust the lad resents the authority of the probation officer. Then, again, there is the young man of poor intellect and weak habits, who lacks the will power to combat evil without assistance. VALUE OF RESTITUTION It is for young people such as these that the Borstal Institute in Invercargill has been founded. There, under the close supervision of tried men, the work of fitting boys for useful careers is commenced. They are taught that the interof the community is greater than their own, and this gives them an incentive to become good citizens, and lays the foundation for the reclamation.

“There are failures, but it is a pleasure to see so many men who have completed terms of probation doing well,” said Mr Campbell in his last report. “One meets them every clay, engaged in various occupations, living ordinary lives, and, having profited by previous experience, together with the wisdom of added years, they are now good citizens.”

Referring to the restoration of stolen money by those admitted to probation, Mr Campbell said there could be no doubt regarding the good and lasting effect that the principle of restitution had on the conduct of men, whose previous habits showed little appreciation of the virtue of thrift. Apart from the restoration to the persons despoiled, there was a measure of justice in this condition of probation that might not be attained in punishment by other means. In very 1 many cases complete restitution had j only been made, as a result of that thrift, which, if it had been practised in the first place, would have precluded the temptation and fall into wrongdoing. WORK AMONG GIRLS Apart from the purely monetary return or any increase or decrease in the amounts collected from year to year, it was apparent that the principle of restitution was a very vital one in the probationary sense. It helped men to regain their self-respect, and in some degree was an incentive to forming habits of thrift and to redeeming character. The amounts paid by probationers as restitution and costs of' prosecution during the last financial year were £928 and £lOl respectively, a total of £1029. On the whole probations gave little trouble, although there were a few who were difficult to manage and had to be repeatedly reminded of their obligations. Major Annie Gordon, female probation officer of the Salvation Army, at present lias 39 women and girls in her charge. Strictly speaking, several of these are not on probation as they have never been convicted of an offence, the cases against them being adjourned for a given period. At the end of this period the offender is again brought before the Court and if a satisfactory report is received of her conduct she is discharged without a conviction. Under the existing law a person cannot be placed on probation without first having a conviction entered against him. Hie probation system is a success in every sense of the word,” said Major Gordon. “It is reallv wonderful the great many who make good and appreciate what is done for them, although of course, there are always some who do not benefit. Under the old system a person who committed theft would be sent to prison to pay the debt. Now he makes restitution and retains his liberty.”