H—2o

Borstal after-care may be regarded as of almost equal importance as Borstal training, and the work of the Associate members and of the Maori Welfare Officers, under whose supervision and care the girls are placed on release, is to be commended. The girls are helped through friendly advice over the difficult period of adjustment to normal living, and despite adverse conditions, it is encouraging to find that the majority settle down satisfactorily. There were 2 additions to the staff and 1 in a temporary capacity during the varsity vacation, but the resignations of 3 who have chosen less exacting employment have caused a further depletion. The quality of the staff is one of the most essential factors in the success or failure of the Borstal system, and the institution of a course at Victoria University College for Social Studies is welcomed. It may result in some assistance in meeting staffing difficulties. Auckland Prison (Superintendent: Mr. J. J. H. Lauder) At the commencement of the year there were 265 males and 10 females in custody. During the year 1,108 males and 48 females were received and 1,089 males and 51 females were discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving 284 males and 7 females in custody at the end of the year. There were 106 males and 3 females received into prison as second offenders during the year. The conduct generally of the prisoners has been good, having regard to the class of prisoner held in custody at Auckland. Most long-sentence men are retained here, and prisoners guilty of serious misconduct at other institutions are sent here for greater security. There were 6 escapes during the year. All were recaptured, 4 within a few hours of escape, 1 after being at liberty for three days. One prisoner was at large for over six weeks. The health of the prisoners has been very good and there have not been any general epidemics. The daily average sick has been 8-29 males and 0-11 females, a slight decrease in both cases. The prison medical officer, Dr. C. H. Tewsley, has visited the prison regularly each week and otherwise whenever required. There were 18 males admitted to the public hospital during the year. No female prisoners required to be sent to hospital. I regret to state that 3 who were admitted to the public hospital passed away, 2in the Green Lane Hospital and 1 in the Auckland Public Hospital. All 3 were suffering from T.B. During the year 3 males and 9 females were admitted to prison suffering from gonorrhoea and 3 males from syphilis, this being a slight increase over the previous year. There were 6 males and 1 female transferred to the mental hospital. Again I wish to place on record the valuable assistance given by the medical staff of the mental hospital for their willing co-operation at all times, by making examinations during the year for the Courts and for this institution, a number of such reports being required urgently and at short notice. The prison quarry has shown an improvement during the year and the various grades of metal have been disposed of to various contractors. Owing to a portion of the quarry being practically worked out, a further area has been made available by the Colonial Ammunition Co., and this portion has had a new fence erected for the safe custody of the prisoners. This new area should give sufficient work for another fifteen to twenty years. The boot-factory has not been able to work at full pressure for some time on account of the Health Department (Division of Mental Hygiene) cancelling their orders owing to supplies becoming available from the Army Department. Consequently the number of prisoners in the bootshop has been reduced until such time as additional orders are

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