DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: PRISONS BOARD (ANNUAL REPORT OF) FOR 1916.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, H-20a

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1917. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: PRISONS BOARD (ANNUAL REPORT OF) FOR 1916.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sm,— 30th June, 1917. I have the honour to forward herewith the report of (he Prisons Board for the year 191G, 1 have, (fee, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. Robert Stout, President.

RE POUT. During the year I91(i the Board held meetings at New Plymouth, Roto Aira, Waikeria Waipa Kaingaroa, Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Paparua (Templeton), Addington, and Invercargill! The following table shows the dates of the meetings, and the cases considered :

The total number- of cases considered during the year- was 424, of which 102 were habitual criminals and 322 prisoners undergoing reformative detention. Several of the cases were those of persons who came more than once before the Board, the total number of distinct individuals dealt with being 344, of whom 77 were habitual criminals and 267 reformative prisoners.

Date. Place of Meeting. Cases com Habitual Criminals and Offenders. sidered of Persons undergoing ReformativeDetention. Total. I I February 14 16 .. 17 .. 21 .. 22 .. 24 .. May 5 .. August 4 November 24 December 12 „ 12 .. „ 13 .. ,, 15 and 16 New Plymouth Roto Aira Waikeria Waipa Kaingaroa Auckland Wellington >> • • Lyttelton Paparua (Templeton) Addington lnvercargill 1 77 8 8 6 I , )! 122 29 23 35 199 37 31 41 113 116 Totals .. 102 322 - 424

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Thirty-one habitual criminals were recommended for release on probation, of which number 29 were released during the year. In one case the recommendation was rescinded owing to the prisoner's subsequent misbehaviour. Two men who had been favourably considered by the Board during the previous year were also released, making a total of 31 for the year. The number of prisoners undergoing reformative detention who were recommended for release on probation_was 11.7, and 102 prisoners were so released during the year. In two instances the recommendations were rescinded owing to the subsequent misconduct of the prisoners concerned. Two prisoners serving sentences of reformative detention were recommended for discharge. Two habitual criminals who had been released on probation were discharged during the year on the recommendation of Board, and 4 persons with sentences of reformative detention who had been released on probation were recommended for discharge and were so discharged. Ol' the 102 persons undergoing reformative detention who were released on probation during the year, .'SO satisfactorily completed their terms during the year, 13 were returned to prison for fresh offences or for failing to observe the conditions of their release, 2 were discharged from probation, 1 died, and 1 was committed to the Rotoroa Inebriates Home, leaving 55 still on probation at the close of the year. Six of the 31 habitual criminals released on probation were returned to prison during the year for fresh offences or for failing to comply with the terms of their release, and 2 died. Very gratifying reports have been received of some of the men released on probation who enlisted and went to the front. The tree-planting camp at Waipa (Rotorua) was closed in December last, and the prisoners were sent to Kaingaroa. The Boa id was pleased to find evidence on its visits to various prisons that the prisoners on the whole were working well, and the staff generally assisting to get the best results from the system. Whilst there are many improvements still to be- introduced much has been done, and it is hoped that after the war further progress will be made towards completing the solution of one of the most difficult State problems. Signed on behalf of the Board. Robert Stout, President.

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