ADMISSIONS TO PROBATION

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1934, Page 7

ADMISSIONS TO PROBATION

REDUCTION IN FIGURES SHOWN.

GENERAL DIMINUTION IN CRIME.

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

There were 134 fewer admissions to probation last year than in the previous year, and this reduction, according to the report of the chief probation officer, Mr. B. L. Dallard, presented to Parliament to-day, does not indicate that probation has found less favour with, the courts as a means of dealing with offenders but is due to a general diminution in the volume of crime as the prisons statistics show that the decline in commitments to prison has been proportionately greater than the falling-off in admissions to probation.

Of the total number of persons on probation only 8 per cent, failed to conform to the requirements of their probationary licences. This, the report states, is exceedingly gratifying, considering the pre-sent-day conditions, which no doubt intensify the difficulties, particularly with respect to those cases where restitution is required to be made.

The total amount paid by probationers during the year was . £2375, representing £403 for costs of prosecution and £1972 for restitution. The number of admissions to probation was 767.