THE PROBATION SYSTEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 67

THE PROBATION SYSTEM.

CHIEF OFFICER S REVIEW. WELLINGTON, August 28. The report of the chief probation officer was presented to Parliament today. Mr Dallard states that it is 42 years since the system was initiated in New Zealand. Last year the system was made more effective by the establishment of voluntary committees somewhat on the lines of the Imperial Criminal Justice Act, 1925. Reports from probation officers show that in the great majority of cases probationers have satisfactorily responded to the method of treatment. The depressed economic conditions and the amount of unemployment, however, have made rehabilitation more difficult, but assistance from voluntary helpers has to some extent overcome this difficulty. The total number of offenders placed under the supervision of the probation officers was 750. There is a decrease shown in the number of offenders admitted to probation, regarding which the officer states that apparently the courts, in an effort to suppress the growth of delinquency among adolescents, have had recourse to a more deterrent method of treatment than probation, lu Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin there have been several youthful criminals gangs whose exploits have ranged from motor car thefts to burglaries, and it has been with the object of breaking up these combinations that the youthful gangsters . have been sent for terms of discipline and training to the Borstal institutions. Mr Dallard states that the effectiveness of the probation system is mainly contingent upon the earnestness with which it is carried out. If probation is to be really constructive it is essential that close and persistent attention shall be given to each cose.