H.—lo

4

still, but, as the building is urgently required to replace the Terrace Gaol, it is hoped that there will be no further delay in building a kitchen, and arranging for the drainage and lighting, which would enable the building to be utilised. 23. It is argued that the prison system in this colony as now carried out does not reform or deter those who come within its range. Whatever truth there may be in this argument is due solely to the want of proper accommodation, as pointed out by the last paragraph, which prevents the proper separation of the younger in crime from those who have spent the greater portion of their lives in gaols. To properly carry out a classification; system, it is imperative that each prisoner should have a separate cell, and so prevent moral contagion and opportunities of rebellious combination. The separation of criminals from each other lies at the very basis of the best systems, both as a means of reformation and deterrence. If there is any one thing on which prison reformers agree, it is that prisoners should associate as little as possible with each other. Aside from its deterrent effect, separate imprisonment has the advantage of removing any fear of a prisoner becoming any more depraved than he already is; and he is far more likely, when left to his own reflections, to be improved by exhortations from good men than he would be among a lot of congenial companions. It must be clearly understood that the cellular system here advocated does not mean " solitary " confinement, but merely a separation from evil companions. This system, though costly at first, has been found ultimately most economical, both by the diminution of crime and by the enabling shorter sentences to be substituted, with more both of reformation and deterrence than long periods of associated criminal detention ; but a system such as this cannot be carried out at present, owing to the want of accommodation in the different localities. 24. In support of this contention for the cellular system, a few remarks from the Howard Association Eeport may not be out of place: "Every year's experience, both at Home and abroad, confirms the wisdom of separating prisoners from evil association." The official report of one of the largest prisons in England states, " As the result of much observation, no cases have here occurred which would lead to the conclusion that separate confinement as now conducted acts deteriously either on mind or body." The Bulletin of the French Prison Society contains a report on the cellular prisons of Holland, which says : " The cell remains to be par excellence the most repressive and reformatory punishment. It promotes the amendment of a large proportion of offences. As to habitual criminals in particular, separation deprives them of their chiefly-prized boon, the admiration which they obtain in associated prison life, where their very pre-eminence in crime renders them the objects both of fear and admiration amongst other prisoners contaminated by their fatal influence." FIRST OFFENDERS' PROBATION ACT. A reference to Table L shows that fifty-nine persons were placed upon probation last year, as against fifty-one in 1892. Of these, twenty-five satisfactorily carried out the conditions of their licenses and were discharged; three were re-arrested and committed to prison ; three absconded; and twenty-eight still remain under the supervision of the Probation Officers, completing their respective terms of probation. The amount of costs ordered to be paid by the various Courts before whom these offenders were brought was £266 14s. Id, of which £165 2s. Id. has been actually paid, the greater portion of the remainder being paid by instalments as it becomes due. The approximate cost of keeping these offenders, had they been sent to prison, would have been £1,425, which, together with the amount of costs actually paid, gives a saving of £1,587 2s. Id. to the colony. Of the 558 persons placed on probation since the Act came into force in October, 1886, 469 have been discharged, after satisfactorily carrying out the terms of their licenses ; twenty-nine were rearrested and sentenced to terms of imprisonment; two have died; while fifteen have eluded the vigilance of the Probation Officers, and forty-three still remain on probation. This Act continues to work most satisfactorily, and has done much to mitigate the evils of contamination by giving first offenders a chance of reforming which they could never get if once sent to prison ; but, as regards prisoners awaiting trial, it is thought the Act is not so fully taken advantage of as it might be in the cases of persons of good character. The whole question of prisoners awaiting trial is beset with difficulties; for, while some of these persons are certainly guilty, others are as certainly innocent, and the often unduly prolonged delay between their committal and trial makes it impossible, with the present limited accommodation in the awaitingtrial portions of the gaols, to carry out proper separation, which is more essential with this class of prisoners than with others. When it is recollected that some at least of these persons are detained only on account of their poverty, and consequent inability to find bail, it is thought that considerable advantage, without much risk, would be gained by placing those against whose character nothing bad is known under the operation of the Probation Act, while awaiting trial, — provided, of course, that the offences with which they stand charged are those to which the Act applies. In support of the statement as to so few persons awaiting trial being placed on probation, the following return of all such prisoners placed under the Act since its introduction is published: In the'year 1886, 1 person; 1887, 1 person; 1888, 2 persons; 1890, 6 persons; 1893, 1 person : total in eight years, 11 persons. I have, &c, A. Hume, Inspector of Prisons.