PRISON POPULATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 196, 19 August 1936, Page 10

PRISON POPULATION.

BIG DECREASE SINCE 1932. BORSTAL JOR NORTH ISLAND? ' Since 1932; the prison population of New Zealand,has dropped from 3401 to 2158, according to the annual report of : the Prisons Department, presented to Parliament yesterday. In that • period the number of New. Zealand-born prisoners lias decreased from 1941 to 1250. The number of Maori prisoners lias decreased from >310 to -220' .-in the same comparative period, but it is noted j that in 1934 " the number of Maori prisoners was 211. Commenting' on these facts, the report stales: "It is satisfactory to observe that- the decline in the number of New Zealand-born offenders in evidence -two£'yefcrs ago ha s been steadily but the number of Maoris, 220, has increased by 15. In the East Coast district and North of Auckland the nmount "ofpetty crime amongst young Maoris is causing some anxiety, and it is observed'.that there is • too" great a proportion sbf Maori youths in Borstal. There are over twice as. Maoris in detention as Would be the case if the ratio of natives :to the general population were preserved. " "The matter of establishing a separate training" institution in the North Island on somewhat more rigorous lines than Borstal, where the younger Maori offenders could be,taught efficient fanning methods and at the same time be subject to socialising influences, is one worthy of consideration. If there could be instilled into the Maori youth habits of industry and an interest in the producti\!fe, v : utilisation of Maori lands it would be to the national advantage."