SATISFACTORY RESULTS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1934, Page 6

SATISFACTORY RESULTS

PRISON REFORMATIVE SYSTEM.

FEW OFFENDERS STRAY AGAIN.

(By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night.'

Satisfaction with the fact that only 26 per cent, of prisoners who were released on probation after undergoing borstal or reformative treatment had been reconvicted, or had failed to comply with the conditions of their release, is expressed in the annual report of the Prisons Board. This is in marked contrast with the results from releasing persistent offenders, of whom only 19 per cent, refrained from further offences as against 17 pen cent, for the preceding year.

There has been a tightening up during the year of releases of this class of prisoner. Of 1639 cases dealt with during the year, the board recommended 580 for release on probation, 21 for discharge and discharged 29 from probation.

Prisoners who had been dealt with under the system of reformative detention were less liable to offend again than those who had been declared habitual criminals, but it was nevertheless a source« of gratification that a fair proportion of the latter had proved themselves sufficiently trustworthy to once more take and keep their place among ordinary citizens.