15

H.-20

Prison Institutions for Women. Addington Reformatory for Women. At the beginning of the year there were 6 inmates in residence ; 71 were admitted during the year, making a total of 77. 41 were discharged on the expiration of their sentence, 12 on remand, 1 released on the recommendation of the Prison's Board, 8 transferred to other institutions, leaving 15 inmates in residence at the 31st. December, 1924. The inmates' work consists of domestic work, milking, feeding poultry, and attending to the flower and vegetable gardens. On account of all young prisoners being transferred, and the majority of inmates being short-sentenced prisoners, no special occupation could be undertaken. The health of the prisoners has been good. The concerts have been kept up all the year, and have been very helpful in brightening the lives of the inmates. The Official Visitors have given high teas on holidays and entertained the inmates. Every prisoner wanting work has been found employment. The social work amongst the ex-prisoners is still being carried out with fair results. lam sorry to state that some prisoners refuse to work on release. Two of these are of evil influence and do great harm both in and out of prison. If only they could be given long sentences and made to work it would be better for them and the community. Books, magazines, and papers are well supplied to the institution by the many friends that take an interest in the work. The religious services are held regularly by Rev. Revel!, Father McEwan, Salvation Army, and the Sisters of the Mission, enabling every inmate to attend a service once a week. Point Halsivell Reformatory. There were in custody at the beginning of the year 40 inmates; during the year 73 were received into the institution. The health of the inmates has been good, and all rations of good quality. Motor transport is provided by the Department for all clergy, Official Visitors, Visiting Justices, and Mrs. Ohatfield, who visits the girls every third Sunday. Mrs. Chatfield arranged several entertainments for the girls in the way of moving pictures, which have been much appreciated. Mrs. Yeates, 0.V., gives the girls bi-weekly health talks, also instruction in bandaging, &c. Towards the end of the year the Borstal Institution was opened, with accommodation for twenty girls. Eight girls were received on transfer from the Education Department, and two were sent here direct from the Court. Plans are prepared for the erection of a gymnasium for the Borstal girls, and the building will be commenced immediately. Three evenings a week we have school ; the remaining evenings are given over to sewing and recreation. The girls are all very keen to get together a suitable outfit for wear on discharge. Out of their earnings most of the material is purchased, and with help from friends the girls are able to make a very creditable appearance. The majority of the girls are employed in the garden and dairy. One girl looks after the pigs and attends to the boiling of the food. This position is a much coveted one, and for it I have many applicants- partly, no doubt, because the girl so employed has to be given a great deal of liberty, especially at week-ends, and is left with little or no supervision. It is only natural they like to feel they are being trusted. All the outside work is very popular, but all duties (except the milkers) are made interchangeable. One can understand the girls preferring gardening to housework, because in the vegetable-garden one can always see a return for ones labour, and there is an openness and freedom about the outside life which appeals to the girls.

REPORTS OF PRISONERS' AID SOCIETIES. Southland District (Invercargill). The object of this society is to employ an agent for special work in the private life of the community; to visit the local hospitals ; and to encourage and instruct, by means of religious services and otherwise, the inmates of the Invercargill Borstal Institution, and to aid persons discharged from this institution to make a fresh start in life. In submitting a brief report of the work overtaken in relation to the Borstal Institution during this, the twenty-second year of the society's operations, I beg to state that every Saturday afternoon and Sunday until noon are spent with the inmates, with frequent visits on other days or evenings throughout the year, and Sunday afternoons are devoted to the inmates of the Borstal Farm Ranch. Divine services are conducted at the institution and Farm Ranch on Sunday mornings and afternoons respectively. All Protestant services are united irrespective of denomination. This system has worked harmoniously throughout the years, and has the hearty co-operation and assistance of the ministers of the various churches. The society's minister also personally conducts a religiousinstruction class at the institution every Sunday tnorning, attendance at which is quite voluntary on the part of inmates. During the year many visits were made to the institution and Farm Ranch, and opportunities given and facilities provided for personal interviews and quiet talks with inmates. The purpose of these personal talks with individual inmates is to encourage and inspire to renewed endeavour ; to