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H.—2o

Wellington Prisons. Terrace Prison. —A considerable number of those located at this institution arc prisoners who are waiting trial and on remand. As a consequence there are not so many available for employment on outside works. For a part of the year a number were employed widening the road leading to the roar of the prison buildings and fencing off the road leading to the new school. Sufficient vegetables to supply the institution's requirements were grown in the prison-garden. A. party of prisoners was employed throughout the year at Point Halswell, where a considerable amount of roadmaking, fencing, and. building-work was carried out. Mount Cook Prison. —The levelling of the Technical School site was completed towards the end of the year, and the only work which remains to be carried out by prison labour is the forming of entrances to the new school from Hankey and Tasman Streets. This work is now being proceeded with. Wi Tako Prison, Trentham. The work of bringing into cultivation the low-lying swamp area of the prison property was continued, and satisfactory progress was made. Most of the swamp lands arc covered in blackberry, and clearing is accordingly more difficult to accomplish. The crops grown recently clearly indicate that the land is capable of producing first-class root crops. In addition to supplying the Point Halswell dairy farm with winter feed, it was found possible to sell large quantities of mangolds and swedes at the Wellington markets. The new brick-kiln, has been thoroughly tried and is giving entire satisfaction. In common with other brickmakers in the district, it was found advisable to close down during the winter months. A new stiff-plastic brickmaking-machine is now being installed, and will be brought into use at an early date. The construction of a tram-line to connect the kiln with the railway service has been commenced. The Y.M.C.A. officials provided several cinema entertainments and concerts during the year. The entertainments were of a particularly fine order, and much praise is due to the gentlemen who organized them and spared no efforts to make them the success which they have been. Prisoners look forward with, pleasure to these entertainments, and the opinion is expressed that they have an influence for good on the men as a whole. Prison Institutions for Women. Addington Reformatory for Women. —The general health, of the inmates —the majority of whom, are old offenders—has been very good. As in former years, the principal employments have been gardening, laundry-work, repairing clothing, and attending to poultry. The extension of the poultry industry is desirable, as it is evident this class of work appeals to a number of inmates. The lady Official Visitors and other social workers visit the institution very frequently, and it is found that their free and informal talks with inmates result in the latter's improvement in appearance, habits, and conversation. All inmates released, on probation during the past year were placed in suitable situations, and it is satisfactory to record that a good, percentage of them are doing well. Point, Halswell Reformatory. —The younger inmates have been employed mainly at dairying and sewing, whilst the few older women are, kept fully employed, in the vegetable-garden. A considerable amount of laundry-work and repairs to clothing for the male prisoners at the Terrace Prison have also been carried out by the women. The inmates take, a keen interest in the dairy-work and look after the cows, poultry, and pigs in a highly satisfactory manner. Lady Official Visitors pay weekly visits to the institution and interest themselves in the general welfare of the inmate?. Situations are found, for deserving inmates on their release, and assistance and advice are given with a view to their rehabilitation. Entertainments and games were provided, on several occasions during the year by social workers, and the inmates displayed much interest and enjoyment.