THE PRISONS REPORT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9485, 24 July 1902, Page 2

THE PRISONS REPORT.

AN INCREASE OF PRISONERS.

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. TJie Prisons report, presented to the House yesterday, states there have been considerable reductions in the punishments for prison discipline being interfered with, or in any way decided advancement in the classification and substantial reduction of expenses, but the unsatisfactory portion is there has been a large increase in the number of prisoners. In December, 1900, there were confined in the various prisons of the colony 568 persons, while in December last the number had risen to 713, but in February last the number had dropped to 648. The large increase in 1901 does not indicate an increase in crimes proper, but may be accounted for by extra exertion on the part of the police in arresting drunks, vagrants, and users of obscene language in public places. The establishment of a, tree planting prison in Waiotapu has proved a complete success, and the prisoners fully appreciate tl*e steps taken for their benefit and reformation. The prisoners were maintained at a gross cost of £45 16s lOd as against £48 9s in 1900. The vacancies amongst the warders have for some time past been filled by returned contingent men, who are tradesmen, and Inspector Hume says it is a pleasure to be in a position to report that there has been an improvement in the staff, particularly amongst the more recently appointed, who maintain a high general level of intelligence and physique. The cost ol medical comforts in Wellington gaol, which up to September last was high, lias been reduced to a level with other prisons. As regards new prisons, a wing giving accommodation for sixty cells at Wellington Terrace prison has been planned and approved, and a road giving an easy gradient has been made up to the site «t , U is lloped teilders will be accepted! Work will be commenced at an early date Ihe completion of such a wing would provide every prisoner a separate cell, which is most desirable. At. Invereargill a new prison site has been purchased, and in clue course a new building will be started, but there is not the same urgency in that locality, as the present building accommodates the prisoners of the district. New gaolers' houses are much required at Dunedin and Auckland. Tile class of prisoner required for treeplanting is a man who is determined to gain a shorter term of imprisonment, for good conduct and industry, whose last thought is to escape, and therefor© need's lttle supervision. This class being of a limited number prevents the scheme bemgextended as far as one could wish. .Ninety-seven prisonei-s were placed on probation during the. year. Of these 21 satisfactorily carried out. the conditions of their licenses and have been discharged *ive were re-arrested, and 71 are still completing their respective terms of probation. The amount of costs ordered to ue paid m various courts by first offenders was £454. The approximate cost of keeping these offenders if sent to prison would amount, to £3908, which sum added to the amount of costs actually paid gives a saving of £4124. * X