FIRST OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14916, 19 August 1910, Page 5

FIRST OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT.

" There wero four mate on probation at the commencement of tho year. Four males were placed on probation at the Supremo Court, two j-cceived on transfer from other districts, making a, total of 10 dealt with during the year: Six males wsre discharged from probation, having satisfactorily performed tho conditions of license. One male who had had his license extended last year failed to comply with tho terms of his probation, and was arrresled and sentenced l to four months' hard labour. Three males remain on probation at tho end of tho vcar." INVERCARGILL PRISON. Tho Invercargill gaoler, in tho course of his report, writes regarding market gardening that a net profit of £230 was, made on tho year's working. Ho says :—. '' I havo always maintained that market gardening, as providing a means of employment for prisoners, cannot bo surpassed, more especially as it provides 'at Healthy means of employment, and is alsu highly remunerative for a class of prisoners that at any other form of employment would be of little service. Moii and youths physically incapablo of performing a hard day's work can hei'e bo employed advantageously, and almost any person can hco and weed and look after growing crops. By this means also men'i time, which would otherwise be lost, is saved, p-nd the danger of physical ajid moral deterioration consequent' upon unsuitable employment is prevented." The gaoler adds: "During the latter part of tho year you have been pleased to order the transfer of a number of boys' to thh prison, with a recommendation that provision be made for their improvement educationally. I have accordingly endeavoured to carry out your instruct tions, and have established evening classes at which youths are given an opportunity foi' mental improvement! . The experiment, although carried out under difficulties, has proved very successful. The boys have eagerly taken -advantage of the opportunity offered for improvement, and a spirit of friendly rivalry as to who should make the most progress has been tho result, and as the youths are given to understand that any act of misconduct will entail deprivation for a time of tho opportunity of attending the classes, this fact has a marked effect and acts as a restraining influence on their general'be- , haviour. In this connection I must acknowledge my very great indebtedness to Mr Kayll. who, wdien a youth is sent lo me, furnishes mo with a report outlining in what respect the youth may be deficient, an-1 pointing out the best manner in which the said deficiency may be remedied. By this means I can almost at once determine what class of treatment will meet the cn< : >?. This work can bo ex-ten-m and carried out under much better conditions when tho new prison is occupied."