H.M. PRISONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18075, 25 October 1920, Page 5

H.M. PRISONS

the departments activities. H,^ Prisons R< -^ ort for last year states at there was a clear reduction of 81 70 in -!f? U cr i nunal population for the first tlmln 113(3 war - m comparison with the last pre-war year. This is eminently satisfactory, in view of tho often-ex-Dre®o<f l'v^ 0 Com j o£ P eaco would bo in /■ a mirJ <ed increase of crimo -n°° U ? CS e , iJ f= r: 'S et! in war activities. The xea s °n f°r this somewhat unexpected position Probably is tliat up to ' tunc we are stiJl floating' uoon a wave of apparent prosperity. Enjoyment c °! hjgh, and there is & poverty If conditions change for the r.IfW !i 1S po?s,ble thafc too change will bo reflected m our criminal statistic and gon e naiy spKik ? n ff> tlio conduct and'lndusvi military prisoners h-avc been reasonably satisfactory. As stated in Inst si "ST' !£kri °Av VC , n ! lul J'ger-sfcriking was resorted to at YVaikena by a limited number ° m °n, but these attempts to defy ton--'r meb ' wit!l litt!o access, til punishments were inflicted, and -P °^ v f 3 no recrudescence of the trouble. The cost per head of prisoners' rations hS &on o up f r o m £10.15 1911 t £17 21 , H yKU ' ' n '° toUl value of Son ln 1919-20 was £81.812. With tha mcreaso m the number', of properties taken up by the department, and the consequent) val°foZr d kb ™ r , difficulty , d "1 , keQ P In S the afforestation thS t 7 mar,ned - In addition to. wis, it scon became evident that, occupation for the prisoners, farming in all 1 MCheS , WaS P rcferabl <> in every way to the monotonous and unskilled wort of Tilc knowledge gained by the farm orker was clearly of more use to tho ?« JS t^ r9 Qf a l consequently work of"~rti t ' lo ', Ter y elementary ork of the planting of trees year after p_f r " f J 1 therefore decided to end .the era, of tree-planting by prison labour. The mTnn° n i T rC ; ffard to tbe employment of li,l r , la ' x>ur has completely changed in the last few years. Under the older tern when practically all the prisoners'were confined m the central prisons, it was eeedingly difficult to find sufficient work to keep the- prisoners employed. Nawadavs our chief difhxmlty is to find sufficient men to carry on our various w v orks=. The department is now farming, dairying, stockraising. road-making, building in stone, concrete, and wood; manufacturing concrete products, making bricks, and carrying on various trades and industries. A few years ago, beyond making a very limited supply of bricks, manufacturing- clothing and boots for prisoners and officers, and tree-plantins-there "ivas no means of providing work 1 for the prisoners. . . Tlia Dunedin Probation Officer (Mr F G Gumming) reports"l hare pot had'any serious difficulty with tho men and women placed under my control; indeed. I find them willing to carry out the conditions of their probation freely, realising that the Actaftords them a real chance of malcinggood. During the year I hove entered 30 men and women upon my register under the First Calenders' Probation Act. Some of these have been transferred: from other districts, but the majority are from our local _ Supreme and Magistrate's Courts, ims is a fairly large number. . Indeed ' iti is a record one for this district.' They have all been placed in situations, and with: raro exceptions a,re giving* every satisfaction to their employers and. to myself, as probation officer. During the period covered- bv this report seven probationers. have been discharged, and each of theso is doing well for himself, or herself. They never fail, when in town, to call at my office and express themselves as grateful for tha chance given by tho department, and for the assistance and advice rendered by' this office. Two have had their licenso cancelled, and are now in the Borstal Institution at Invercargill. One of these was a local man, the other came to me on transfer. One regrete to have to cancel a license, but in the interests of the men themselves, as well a 9 of other probationers, this is sometimes necessary, otherwise tho Act would become a-farce. I have transferred fivo probationers to other districts, and. am given to understand that they aro doing well. At the end of the year I had on my register 27 first offenders and four under tlio Crimes Act, making in all 31. Then there are quito a number of men, ■women, and. young people placed on their honour, by being ordered to come up for sentenco when called upon. These aro placed under tho probation officer's control, and entail a good deal of -work on my part. Still, 0110 is ahvays pleased to have a chance to do something for theso unfortunates, and, on the whole, good is seen ns a result ot the chance given. I arri, however, strongly of the opinion that probation, ia the better course to adopt."