PRISONERS SENTENCED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 11

PRISONERS SENTENCED

SUPREME COURT CASES HIGH FIGURE FOR MONTH To date this month 39 prisoners, including those found guilty at the last criminal sessions, have been sentenced in the Supreme Court by Mr. Justice Herdman and Mr. Justice Smith. In July only about 12 prisoners were sentenced. The number dealt with this month is unusually great, and is probably in excess of the combined figures of any other two centres. As a result of the increase considerable extra work has had to be undertaken by the two Judges, tho chief probation officer, Mr. W. J. Campbell, and the Supreme Court staff. Mr. Campbell s responsibility is very extensive, as he is called upon to investigate each case, to interview personally many of the accused persons, and to submit detailed reports to the Judges. Often he has to decide whether a prisoner is worthy of a further chance or not, and to recommend the Bench accordingly. From the August total of 39 prisoners it would appeal" that crime is increasing, but this is not necessarily the case, as the figures vary greatly from month to month. Five of those sentenced" this month were found guilty of offences arising out of the j riots in the city last April.