4400 men jailed last year — dept

Press, 19 November 1981, Page 11

4400 men jailed last year — dept

PA Wellington The maximum sentence for drunken driving causing death imposed last year was two years, according to Justice Department figures. A total of 4720 prisoners were received in New Zealand’s 26 penal institutions last year — 4406 men and 314 women. Eight men were imprisoned for drunken driving causing death — four were given sentences of three to six months, three were sentenced to six to 12 months, and one man for one to two years. Seven persons were given life sentences in 1980, all men and were imprisoned for murder. Listed by age-group the most prisoner's for both sexes

were aged 21 to 24 years — 1059 men and 81 women. The next most prevalent prisoner age was 25 to 39 years, also for both sexes. Forty-nine male 15-year-olds and nine females of the same age were sentenced to penal institutions. No female prisoners were over the age of 39 but 25 men aged 60 and over were imprisoned. The courts view of receivers of stolen property as a contributing factor to the continuance of burglary and theft was reflected in the sentences. Only two men were sentenced for receiving, both being imprisoned for five, years or more. They were the only two prisoners to be jailed for more than five years out.of 2091. people

imprisoned for offences against property. Drug offenders totalled 225, including three persons imprisoned for using cannabis. Seven persons were given sentences of more than five years, the most common sentence being six to 12 months. Seven persons were imprisoned for incest and 14 for manslaughter. Eight were sentenced to serve three to five years. One male, aged 17, was sentenced to detention, centre training for peeping in a window, and 40 people were imprisoned for forgery and arson. Forgery involved more women compared with other crimes — 12.5 per cent were female.