MAKING GOOD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 September 1924, Page 5

MAKING GOOD.

PRISONERS’ EFFORTS TO

REFORM

(By Telegraph—Special, to Star.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. The Prisons Board report shows that of the habitual criminals released on probation 50 per cent return to gaol through a breach of the conditions or further offences. Referring to prisoners generally, the board states that approximately three out of four of those released after serving sentences of reformative detention give no further trouble, though the proportion is much less satisfactory in the case of habitual criminals. As the statutory term indicates, this class of offender has become fixed in its habits, and after a lifetime of crime it is not to be expected that any change in mental outlook can be effected by further imprisonment. Some have made good, but experience has shown that others are definitely anti-social, and are quite unfit to be at large. All those comprised in the latter category will now have to remain in prison indefinitely. They have had their chances, and have abused them all. An analysis of the number of habitual criminals released during the year .shows that only 18 were New Zealand-borri, whilst 22 were over the age of 35 years. Prom these figures it may be assumed that the number of habitual criminals will diminish as the native-born population of the Dominion is increased and the importation of criminals from overseas becomes less.