PROBATION SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 297, 12 September 1934, Page 8

PROBATION SYSTEM

“Exceedingly Gratifying”

Results

REDEMPTIVE INFLUENCES

The results of last year’s operations of the Offenders Probation Act are set out in the report of the chief probation officer, Mr. B. L. Dallard, tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. He said the total number of cases dealt

with during 1933 was 2201, which was 11 less than the number for the previous year. The number of fresh admissions to probation was 767, or 134 less than for 1932. This reduction did not indicate that probation had found less favour with the courts as a means of dealing with offenders, but was due to the general diminution in, the volume of crime. The decline in commitments to prison had been proportionately greater than the falling-off in admissions to probation. Of the total number of persons on probation, 174, or approximately 8 per cent, only, failed to conform to the requirements of their probationary licenses. This was exceedingly gratify ing considering present-day conditions, which no doubt intensified difficulties, particularly with respect to those cases where restoration was required to be made. Probation officers had indicated that in many cases this had involved a definite self-deniaL The making of restitution in such circumstances was undoubtedly an indication of the redemptive influences that were brought to bear under probationary supervision. The total amount paid by probatiqpers during the year .was £2375, representing £403 for costs of prosecution and £1972 restitution to victims. The Wellington district probation officer, Mr. T. P. Mills, - reported that cases dealt with’ in his district numbered 236, and the total costs of prosecution aud restitution moneys collected was £314/11/1. “Only a few probationers were unemployed at the close of the year,” said Mr. Mills. “Outside those who were fortunate enough to obtain award wages, many have been absorbed in relief work in town and at camps. Some have sought work such as scrubcutting and are making fair wages, but the fact cannot be disguised that there is much hardship at the present time. Hbwever, a large proportion are making earnest efforts to overcome their weaknesses, which is borne out by the fact that barely 4 per cent, of the year’s probationers were brought before the court for subsequent offences. “Some difficulty has been experienced in the collection of costs and restitu-tion-moneys. Self-denial is often evident in the efforts of the probationers in this respect, and credit is due to those men who will minimise . tbeir •smokes’ in their endeavour to meet the financial obligations endorsed on their licenses.”