H.—2o.

The conduct and industry of the prisoners, on the whole, has been very satisfactory. Two prisoners escaped during the year, but were recaptured three days later. The officers have carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners was attended to by the Rev. J. Gr. Laughton, of Taupo, and the Rev. Father Langerwerf, of Tokaanu. Wellington Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. J. Down.) There were in custody at the commencement of the year 125 males ; during the year 968 males were received and 965 were discharged, leaving in custody at the 31st December 128 males. Of those discharged 537 were on expiration or remission of hard-labour sentence, 3 reformative detention, 4 simple imprisonment, 13 on bail or probation, and 1 death. Those released on recommendation of the Prisons Board were as follows : Hard labour, 6 ; reformative detention, 13 ; habitual criminal, 1. Twenty-seven debtors were also released, and 353 prisoners were transferred to other prisons or to the police. Two prisoners were committed to the mental hospital. The health of the prisoners, on the whole, has been good , but I would point out that a large number were transferred to the public hospital. In some cases they were transferred from Wi Tako Prison to the Terrace for admission to the hospital, and there was one case from Waikeria Reformatory. In most instances the men were practically hospital cases when received into prison. The fact that four of these men had to be recommitted to the hospital on two occasions shows the condition they were in. The conduct and industry of the prisoners has been exceptionally good. There was one aggravated prison offence, but it was afterwards discovered that the offender was a mental case, and he was committed to the mental hospital. Minor breaches of the regulations were dealt with by the Superintendent and Visiting Justices. The food-supply has been good, and no complaints of any importance have been made by the prisoners with regard to quality or quantity. The bread is baked at No. 2 Prison for that prison, and also for the Terrace and the Borstal Institution, and is of excellent quality. The social side of prison life has not been overlooked. Several concerts were given during the year. The Presbyterian Social Service Club provided Christmas cheer, and we are indebted to Mr. Norman Aitken and his party for a splendid concert, and to the Bristol Piano Co. for the loan of the piano. We also wish to thank Messrs. Salek, Townsend, Burch, and the Justices Association for their donations, with which eatables and tobacco were provided. The men thoroughly appreciated the generosity thus shown them. Divine service has been conducted by several denominations throughout the year—viz., Presbyterian Ministers' Association, Church of England, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Roman Catholic Church, and the Seventh-day Adventists. The services were held at both the Terrace and No. 2 Prisons. To Mr. Mills, of the Prisoners' Aid Society, and others, we are indebted for their generosity and assistance to the prisoners in procuring work and supplying clothing for them on their discharge from prison. The demolition of the Terrace Prison has been held up until such time as we can have secure yards available at No. 2 Prison. This should not be long now, as that section of the work is at present in hand. Wellington No. 2 Prison. —The main building, consisting of the East Wing, the West Wing, and the Kitchen Block, is now completed except for some small details. The gardens have been extended, and an abundance of vegetables is grown. A large area of potatoes has been planted. The garden at the Terrace has also provided a large supply of vegetables for use in the prison, the surplus being sold in the markets. The conduct of the staff has been good, and they have at all times assisted me by the interest and willingness they show in carrying out their duties. The Visiting Justices have made numerous visits to both prisons during the year, and have expressed satisfaction with the management of the prison and the treatment of the prisoners. Wi Tako Prison, Trentham. (Superintendent, Mr. D. Blain.) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 35 hard-labour, 31 reformative-detention prisoners, and 1 habitual criminal —total, 67 male prisoners ; 100 prisoners were received during the year, and 33 hard-labour and 3 reformative-detention prisoners were discharged at expiration of sentence ; 14 hard-labour and 13 reformative-detention prisoners were released on the recommendation of the Prisons Board, and 30 were transferred to other prisons, leaving 74 in custody on the 31st December, 1927. One prisoner escaped during the year, but was recaptured after two days. The general conduct and industry of the prisoners have been very satisfactory. The health of the prisoners has been exceptionally good. All available labour has been used for the development of the farm and garden. Twenty acres of swamp area which had previously been drained and cleared of large root-stumps and blackberry was dug over twice, 5 acres being trenched 20 in. deep ; 10 acres were sown in mangolds, 3 acres in swedes, and 3 acres in potatoes. A further block of about 5 acres on the higher ground has also been felled of scrub and tea-tree, the latter being used for firewood for this prison, and also for providing supplies for the Wellington prisons. The drainage system has been improved upon, 56 chains

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