PROBATION WORK.!

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 205, 29 August 1936, Page 10

PROBATION WORK.!

OFFICER'S REVIEW.

GFFENDERS IN AUCKLAND.

VALUE OF THE SYSTEM,

'■/ Probation work carried out in Auckland during the year ended March 31 last is reviewed in a report by the probation officer, Mr. J. Anderson, tabled in the House of Representatives.

At the beginning of the year there were IS4 offender probationers on the books. 95 were admitted to probation during the year, and 42 were received on transfer, making a total of 321 dealt with, says the report. Of these, 72 satisfactorily completed the term of probation, 49 were transferred to other districts, nine were discharged by the Prisons Board, five left the Dominion, five were imprisoned on the original charge, and 11 were sentenced for other offences, leaving 170 on the books at March 31 last.

In addition to the 10 defaulters shown, one probationer was convicted of a breach of probation and resumed reporting, while five probationers failed to report and had not been located up to the end of the period. Three of the 11 probationers sentenced on other charges later resumed reporting. The figures show a total of 22 defaulters for the period under review, that number being approximately 7 per cent of the total number dealt with.

The total amount collected during the period in respect of costs of prosecution and restitution ordered to be paid was £604 2/7. This represents £511 4/8 restitution moneys, and £182 17/11 paid for costs of prosecution. These figures, in comparison with those shown for the previous period, indicate an increase of £227 3/8.

Apart from the defaulters shown, the majority of the probationers behaved very well indeed, and showed by their conduct their appreciation of the chance given to prove themselves and to "make good." Experience in this work lias shown that, in most cases, the chance given has proved to be a definite turn-ing-point, and very many instances could be cited of past probationers who are now in steady work, many happily married, good citizens, who are assets to the community, and outstanding proof of the merit of the probation method of dealing with certain offenders.

There are always those who, under any conditions, will again transgress, but, as j has been the case for some years past, j the difficulty experienced in obtaining steady employment has, in some degree, been the cause of the failure to "make good." The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society has done much to assist in very many cases, and much credit is due to that society for their invaluable assistance, which did much to lessen the problems of the Probation Officer in dealing with those released on probation. The results obtained during the period under review, may be' considered very satisfactory in view of the difficulty in getting steady and assured employment by this class of probationer. Released From Prison. Probationers on release from prison and Borstal institutions totalled 209, of whom 72 completed the probationary term. Of those • who completed their terms, all, with the exception of four, whose conduct.was. doubtful, didiso with credit to themselves and' to the satisfaction of the probation officer., Three I probationers were discharged by the Prisons Board, four left the Dominion ;by permission, one was committed to the Mental' Hospital, and one' probationer committed suicide because of domestic infelicity.

One probationer in the habitual criminal class 1 who'committed an offence •was sentenced to a further term of imprisonment, arid liis license was cancelled. Seven who had' been released on 'probation after serving part of thenterms of reformative detention, and seven released on probation from -Borstal institutions again came before the Court, and Were sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment for further offences committed, while five probationers failed t6 report as required, and had not been traced up to the end of the period : under review.