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Habitual Criminals. —During the period from January, 19il, to December, 1949, 771 habitual criminals were released on licence on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. Of those so released, 59-14 per cent, were returned to prison either for committing further offences or for non-compliance with the conditions of probation. No further offences are recorded against the remaining 40-86 per cent. Borstal Cases. —Since the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1924, 4,348 young persons have been detained under this Act, either by original commitments by the Court or by transference of youthful offenders from penal institutions or industrial schools. There have been 4,235 inmates released on the recommendation of the Board, 3,942 being on probation and 293 on the expiration of their sentence. Of the total number released, 2-78 per cent, have been returned to the institution for noncompliance with the conditions of release, 13-72 per cent, were recommitted for further offences whilst on probation, and 893, or approximately 21 per cent, of the total released, have been sentenced for offences committed after discharge or on expiry of their period of probation.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (899 copies), £ll 10s.

By Authority: R. E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellington.—1950.

Price 6d.]

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