5

H.—2ob

Under the special instruction in various trades given in the technical classes of our penal institution the learner probably advances much more rapielly than the apprentice, who pleases himself as to whether he will attend evening classes or not. The abiding effects of the educational training provided in these institutions are shown by the fact that probationers frequently continue their studies either at the evening classes of technical schools or by taking a correspondence course. As can well be imagined, this continued pursuit of self-education greatly helps to keep the individual going straight. Rev. 0. Blundell, Probation Officer, New Plymouth. I have the honour to report that twenty-six probationers have come under my charge during the; above; period. Of these, seven have completed their term of probation, ten have been transferred to other districts, one absconded and is now undergoing detention, one broke the terms of his license; anel is in gaol, and seven are still reporting themselves to me. Several of those transferred to other districts were persons made to appear before the Bench in New Plymouth but whose homes are elsewhere, so that I have had little opportunity to do much for them ; but the rest resided here, and have taken up employment in other places. Two cases proved disappointing, both young persons who seem to have been determined to embark upon lives of crime in spite of all that was done to save them, Most of the people who completed the terms of their probation gave indication of having derived salutary benefit from the opportunity afforded them, and will, I believe, not depart again from the path of rectitude. This appears to bo most truly the case with those who are young in years and who realize that their lives are too valuable to be; wasted in selfish endeavours to benefit at the expense of other people. In several instances rebatements of sentences have been, granted, with the consent of the Prisons Board, in the case of persons who have evidently striven to make good during their term of probation. It is surely a good thing to encourage people who are trying to live as good. and. useful citizens. In the case of three of those still reporting themselves to me, the probationers are quite young boys, quite ordinary, and otherwise well behaved. Their trouble arose out of mere thoughtless actions, and it is to be regarded as «a matter for congratulation that this method of correction avoids the eloubtful expedient of sending such cases to gaol. I quite believe that the boys in question will make geiod and worthy citizens: Mr. T. P. Mills, Probation Officer, Wellington. There were seventy-seven offenders on the register at the beginning of the year ; seventy were placed on probation, thirty-seven were transferred from, other districts, 184 in all passing through my hands during the year. Forty-seven completed the period of probation satisfactorily, forty-seven were; transferred to other districts, three left the Dominion permanently, nine wore; imprisoned for subsequent offences, seventy-eight remaining on the register at the 31st March, 1924. During the year three were prosecuted for minor breaches of the conditions of probation and suitably dealt with by the Court. The results are even better than the previous year's record, but that does not moan that the probationers have given less trouble. In fact, the experience has been otherwise. Quite a number of the younger men need a great deal of looking after, and in some instances there has been little desire to profit by the lesson of the prosecution or to appreciate the leniency of the; Court. The trouble has been well repaid, however, and with only 5 per cent, of actual failures of the 180-odd men dealt with the results are gratifying. Gambling, drink, and fast living have accounted largely for the downfall of these exceptions, one or two of deficient mentality stumbling easily into fresh offences. One is apt to be discouraged by these; failures ; but it is not so much even their small percentage; that justifies the system of probation as the large number of successes. It is refreshing, therefore, to bo able to say that probation in the great majority of cases has proved the stepping-stone to much better tilings. Some of these men have done remarkably well. Take this for an instance : A married man, with a wife and one child, a clerk by occupation, convicted of the; theft of moneys, could not obtain light employment, so faced heavy manual work. By his industry, frequently working much more than his ordinary eight hours a day, in the course of two years, after having fulfilled his obligations to his wife and child, he saved over £200. But he did better than that: he lived down his lapse, making his friendships with very reputable people, improving himself both mentally and morally. The probation system has made a steady, capable man of him. It may safely be said that there are hundreds of men, and families too, who are thankful for the very beneficent legislation now in force ; and though a doubt may crop up occasionally as to the wisdom of extending probation to some offenders, these will soon either sink or rise to their own level. Quite a bogey has been raised also by some that probation offers inducement to men generally to risk a first crime in anticipation of easy treatment. Such is hardly justified by fact. Crime has certainly increased, but it is the almost unknown instance to find a man of exemplary character demeaning himself by a criminal act. Men who are described as being of previously good - character are not always so good as at first sight appears. In nearly every case an uncontrolled past has culminated in some definite offence against the law, so a wide interpretation of the word " good " becomes necessary. The man of honour will not lose his reputation lightly. "It is sport to a fool to do mischief," and he will do it irrespective of consequences. It must be remembereef, too, that probation is not such a " let off " as some suppose. The partial deprivation of liberty is very irksome to many —in fact, some have said that they would rather do three months' " solid " than twelve months' probation. The former is a fixed quantity, the latter an uncertainty, especially with the clause that empowers the Court to impose imprisonment for breaches of probation. Like every other effective reformative method, the tonic prescribed must repress as well as strengthen.