NEW PROBATION ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17650, 10 December 1920, Page 8

NEW PROBATION ACT.

; ' .. . i- ' -; REGULATIONS GAZETTED, 1 I -' ? [ WIDE- POWERS -OF OFFICERS. I .1- i f ATTENDANCE iAT ALL COURTS. ' [BT; lELEGXAPn.~OWK COAESPONBENX.] . j ' WELLINGTON, Thursday.. - The regulations governing the work of probation officers under tho now Offenders f . Probation Act -aro published in this j ] week's Gazette./; This Act, passed by Parliament last session, provides that pro- < bation may bo granted to offenders of c almost all classes and important powers _ "are placed in the hands of the probation £ officers. ( 1 The probation officers under the regula- j tiona are to attend all courts held within their districts for criminal business.'» The 11 Act applies to the Supreme Court as well t as the ' Magistrate's r Court' and # Police ; Courts, and to all offences punishable by j imprisonment, whether by indictment or otherwise. > It will he the duty of the - officers when so required by the Court to a make inquiries as to the characters and I' personal histories of persons accused or a convicted of offences. i . i The regulations provide 'that when the investigation clearly indicates that the , best interest of the publio and of the offender will be served by releasing him on 1 probation it will be tho duty of the pro- £ bation officer to recommend that the of- o fender shall -be so released. _ The officer { will state at tho same time if lie thinks c the offender is. able •to pay tho costs of r tho prosecution. ' 1 Alter an offender has been released on ( probation the officers win bo required to r keep in touch with him until tho period r fixed by tho ; Court or •by ; the Prisons » Board has expired. A monthly report is ' to .be forwarded. to the chief probation c officer in Wellington. " Tho regulations j define the duties of the officers in detail., v