PRISONS DEPARTMENT (REPORT ON) FOR THE YEAR 1927-28.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1928 Session I, H-20

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1928. NEW ZEALAND.

PRISONS DEPARTMENT (REPORT ON) FOR THE YEAR 1927-28.

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

The Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Prisons Department to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral. Wellington, 14th August, 1928. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Prisons Department for the year 1927-28. I have, &c., F. J. Rolleston, Minister in Charge of Prisons Department.

The Controller-General of Prisons to the Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Prisons Department. Sir, — I have the honour to present the annual report of the Prisons Department covering the financial year ended 31st March, 1928, together with the Inspector's report and extracts from the reports of controlling officers of the different institutions, and the criminal statistics for the calendar vear ended 31st December, 1927. Prison Population : Comparative Figures.—Statistics. The tables of criminal statistics which are published as an appendix to this report show that there were 4,664 committals to the various prisons and institutions under the control of the Department during the year ended 31st December, 1927, as compared with 4,600 for the previous year. Although there has thus been a slight increase in the number of receptions, it is satisfactory to note that there has been a small decrease in the number of distinct persons received into the Department's care as compared with the last two years, the numbers respectively being as follows : — Prisoners Year " received. M 10 '° 00 Mean iropulation. 1925 .. .. •• .. 2,890 20-88 1926 .. .. .. .. .. 2,755 19-49 1927 .. .. •• .. 2,711 18-84 Although these figures are reassuring, in so far as they show that the number of our criminal population is not on the increase, it is to be noted that the ratio of prisoners to the general population is still higher than it was prior to the setting-in of the period of industrial depression following the artificial economic stimulus which took place during the immediate post-war years. The correlation between adverse economic conditions and crime, particularly with reference to offences against property, is most marked, a.nd it is widely recognized that the total volume of crime is greater during a period of economic depression. In this respect there is no doubt that unemployment was a contributing factor, as it is generally agreed that steady work makes for morals. That great penal philosopher, Gabriel Tarde, aptly stated, " Work is in itself the enemy of crime." A study of the figures dealing with offenders classed under age-groups shows that there has been an increase in the number of distinct offenders committed under twenty years of age—22s, as compared with 219 for the previous year. The majority of these committals have been for offences against property, 130 being for theft and deceit. Of these young offenders, it is to be noted that 199 were New-Zealand-born.

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It is further to be observed that of the total number of distinct persons committed during the year just under 58 per cent, were born in the Dominion. In this regard it is to be noted that the ratio of New-Zealand-born to the total population of the Dominion over the age of fifteen years is 65 per cent. Crime is, therefore, slightly lower among the New-Zealand-born than among the rest of the population. The total number of distinct persons of New Zealand birth was 1,570, as compared with 1,564 for the previous year. Although there is room for reflection in consequence of the amount of crime among young people, particularly amongst our New-Zealand-born adolescents, the general position as shown by the prison statistics does not give ground for undue concern, for it is to be observed that 35 per cent, of the total number of distinct persons who were committed were sentenced for fairly trivial offences, for periods under one month ; 58 per cent, were for periods under three months, while 71 per cent., or nearly three-quarters of the total persons committed, were for terms under six months, indicating that they were for offences of a fairly venial nature. Even the longer sentences, in many cases, do not necessarily connote serious crimes, because a large percentage of cases of Borstal detention, which may be for terms of from two to five years, are for offences which prior to the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1924, would probably have carried a short term of imprisonment with hard labour. The consensus of authoritative opinion, both in England and elsewhere, is that the short punitive sentences are of little benefit, particularly so far as young offenders are concerned, where the objective is to instil a sense of social responsibility through a course of training and discipline. These increased terms of sentence have the effect of swelling the daily average number of inmates in custody, and, besides taxing our accommodation, influence the immediate cost of prison administration ; but, of course, it must be recognized that the benefit of arresting criminal tendencies in the incipient stages will inevitably be reflected in the long-run, and should result in future economy. The total average number of persons in custody was 1,458-16, as compared with 1,366-25 for the previous year. It is pleasing to note that there has been a falling-off in the total number of women offenders received into prison—134, as compared with 150 for the previous year —and also in the number of women of New Zealand birth. The major portion of the offences involving the commitment of women come under the heading of vagrancy, and these offences show an increase on the last year's totals. There was a marked falling-off in the number of women sentenced to imprisonment for drunkenness, the figures having dropped from 31 for the previous year to 16 for the year under review. Apart from the general crime situation as revealed by the prison statistics, it is no doubt also symptomatic of the prevailing economic conditions that the number of debtors sent to prison again shows an increase. The comparative figures for the past three years are as follows : 1925, 137 ; 1926, 187 ; 1927, 241. It is gratifying to be able to record that during the year the sentence of capital punishment—the extreme penalty of the law —was not passed upon any prisoner. One prisoner was flogged for the offence of rape. Twelve prisoners died from natural causes, 6of whom died whilst under treatment in public hospitals. There were no accidents of a serious nature. Two prisoners committed suicide, and 2 prisoners committed self-mutilation, necessitating hospital treatment, for the purpose of evading work. Of the prisoners who escaped from custody during the year, only one was not recaptured. Nineteen prisoners were transferred to mental hospitals after examination at the instance of the Department, the prison milieu being considered to be unsuited to their mental condition. Five persons were considered to be mental defectives when they appeared before the Courts, and were remanded to a mental hospital for observation. . During the year 1927, although an unusual number of prisoners were on admission found to be suffering from venereal disease, necessitating the establishment of a special clinic, only two prisoners were required to be detained beyond the period of their sentence until cured in terms of the Prisoners Detention Act, 1915. The prison statistics deal only with offenders who have been committed to the various institutions under the control of the Prisons Department, and contain no particulars of those fined, placed on probation, or otherwise dealt with. In order to make a complete review of the trend of crime it is necessary to refer to the Courts statistics showing the total number of cases dealt with. The total number of convictions recorded both in the Supreme and the Magistrates' Courts are summarized in the following table :—

Comparative Table of Offences summarizing the Total Number of Convictions in the Magistrates' Courts and Persons sentenced in the Supreme Courts throughout the Dominion for the Five Years 1923-27.

The most satisfactory feature revealed by the above table is the fairly material drop in the number of convictions for offences against the person. It should also be noted that the grand total of convictions recorded is magnified to some extent by the increase in the number of offences against

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1923. 1924. 1925. 1926. 1927. . i ; " . 1 L I i Offences against the person .. .. 918 744 908 914 853 Offences against property 3,672 4,000 4,135 4,822 5,094 Offences against good order .. ..I 19,087 21,342 25,499 27,244 27,525 Forgery and offences against currency .. 72 70 75 91 75 Other offences .. . . .. I 13,980 13,993 13,911 13,703 12,952 Totals .. .. .. 37,729 40,149 44,528 46,774 46,499

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good order, but as a large number of the offences under this group—e.g.. " Breaches of Lights on Vehicles Act," or " Offences relating to registration of motors " —may be termed mala prohibita, as distinct from mala in se, they do not necessarily connote a weakening of our moral standards, although, of course, it is generally agreed that what is condemned by law should be regarded as morally wrong. As against this position, however, a disquieting feature of the table is the steadily growing increase in the number of offences against property. Borstal Institutions. There are three Borstal institutions in the Dominion—one for lads between the ages of twenty and twenty-five, at Waikeria ; one for youths between the ages of fifteen and twenty, at Invercargill; and an institution for young women from fifteen to twenty-five, at Point Halswell. Borstal institutions are constituted under the Prevention of Crime Act, 1924, and are defined in the statute as follows : " A place in which young offenders whilst detained can be given such occupational training and other instruction, and be subject to such disciplinary and moral influences, as will conduce to their reformation and the prevention of crime." The Act also provides that in cases of offenders between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one, and in special circumstances up to the age of twenty-thr.ee, where it is expedient that the offender should be subject to detention under instruction and discipline, the Courts may, in lieu of passing a sentence of imprisonment, make an order for detention in a Borstal institution. The term of detention is restricted to not less than two years nor more than five years where the sentence is imposed by the Supreme Court and not less than one year nor more than three years in cases dealt with before the Magistrate's Court. The Minister of Justice, if satisfied that a prisoner whose age does not exceed twenty-five years might with advantage be detained in a Borstal institution, may direct the transfer of such person to a Borstal institution. The Minister is also empowered to direct the transfer to a Borstal institution of women and girls detained in a reformatory home. The Minister of Education, if satisfied that an inmate of an industrial school may with advantage be detained in a Borstal institution, may direct the transfer of such inmate thereto. The prison statistics given above include the commitments to Borstal institutions, but dealing separately with Borstal figures it will be seen that during the year 139 lads and 25 girls —a total of 164 —were committed direct to the Borstal institutions by the Courts, and 38 youths and 4 young women were transferred from industrial schools and other institutions to the Borstals for the purpose of training and discipline. The terms of detention ordered by the Courts are maximum only, and this largely explains the relatively lengthy terms awarded. A short term is found to be futile where a young person is untrained and undisciplined. Short terms also lessen the deterrent effect because of the fact that the conditions are aimed to socialize rather than to be rigorous and punitive ; consequently a brief period merely gives an experience that removes the dread of detention without involving the irksomeness of prolonged loss of liberty. In this connection the following observation by Lord Hewart, the Lord Chief Justice of England, is apropos : — It was not generally recognized that there were few more effective ways of manufacturing criminals than in sending young offenders unnecessarily to prison, where they might easily find themselves far more comfortable than they expected to be, where they might make acquaintance with men and methods likely to bring them to ruin, and where, after serving some short sentence of complete futility, they might abandon forever their repugnance to prison and all that it involved." The actual period served is contingent upon the response of the inmates individually to the socializing influences of the institutions. Each case is subject to review from time to time by the Parole Board, and an inmate is detained no longer than is considered necessary to develop a sense of responsibility and self-respect. Unduly prolonged detention beyond saturation-point tends to develop resentment and other undesirable emotional reactions, which defeat the purpose of the institution ; thus frequent and regular reviews of the cases to ascertain the fitness of inmates for release is an essential feature of the system. The system of Borstal training was fully outlined in last year's annual report. The splendid efforts of the Superintendents and their staffs, at the three institutions, to make the system a success is shown in their reports included in the Appendix hereto. Apart from the success revealed by the statistics given hereunder, the above-mentioned reports are particularly interesting in that they show in detail what a really fine work is being carried on in dealing with those young offenders who under the old system would be intermingling with hardened criminals in our ordinary prisons. The aim of the system of Borstal training is a balanced round of work, education and recreation, the primary purpose being to develop a sense of self-respect and self-reliance and the habits of industry and co-operation so essential to fit inmates for a life of freedom and responsibility, and at the same time equip them with habits of industry and vocational skill which will enable them to take their places in the community with confidence and a reasonable prospect of success. During the year a comprehensive educational programme, including school classes, lectures, and debates, hss been arranged. The physical welfare of the inmates has been given careful attention, and, in addition to regular physical drill, organized games form part of the curriculum, while occasional visits from outside teams to compete with the inmates at football, basketball, and cricket matches have been a new departure and have proved a pronounced success. The brief contact with outside life is refreshing. The inmates are given a consciousness that they are not entirely a class apart from

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the rest of the community. Through the inculcation of the " team spirit " inmates are enabled to realize more vividly that through life, as in games, it is by purposeful and effortful co-operation success is achieved. With the object of training inmates to be capable of taking their places in the community as useful economic units, various courses of training are provided. For the males many trades are taught, but farming occupations predominate, and, as the institutional reports show, the results have been exceedingly satisfactory. In this regard I desire to make special mention of the splendid voluntary service given by Mr. T. Matthews, the Agricultural Instructor to the Southland Education Board, for his voluntary assistance in organizing and conducting classes in agricultural science, practical agriculture, and wool-classing.- The wool-classing school at the Invercargill Borstal Institution is considered to be one of the best equipped in the Dominion. Through the generosity of several Invercargill brokers, a wide range of wool counts is always available. The Department is also indebted to many other teachers and interested helpers who rendered voluntary service in connection with special classes conducted at the three institutions. The personal influence of the staff is a factor of primary importance in the social and moral training of the inmates, and in this connection the Department also has the kindly co-operation of the various Christian ministers, social workers, and representatives of social-service organizations. To these the Department is deeply indebted. The after-care of inmates when released is recognized to be equally important with the in-care treatment. It has been said that it is only on emerging from a Borstal institution to face life's struggle afresh that the sentence really begins, for in many cases those committed are handicapped through lack of moral balance or the stability of a normal person. It is only by friendly and judicious oversight until the released person has found his feet as a free agent that our responsibility can be regarded as having ceased. The voluntary committees organized in connection with our probation system have given splendid help in finding employment for dischargees, and also in maintaining oversight. The Department has had numerous letters from released inmates expressing gratitude for assistance received at the hands of these organized helpers. The Prisoners Aid Societies and the Howard League have also given considerable help. In connection with the Point Halswell Borstal Institution the Women's Borstal Association have done splendid work throughout the year. This organization, which is comprised of Wellington ladies under the presidency of Her Excellency the Lady Alice Fergusson, and assisted by associated workers in other towns, has, in addition to arranging for regular in-care work in the form of visits, lectures, and entertainments, arranged for employment, after-care, and supervision of the young women discharged from the Point Halswell Borstal Institution. The problem of dealing with young women is more difficult than with lads, largely because of their greater emotional instability, and but for this effective system of after-care there is no doubt that a larger proportion of the girls would fail to stand up to the struggle that faces them in free life. The following statistics show the results of the Borstal system. It is admitted that the system has not been sufficiently long in vogue to draw really reliable conclusions from the figures, but they do disclose a state of affairs which justifies the claim that the Borstal system is the most constructive and hopeful plank in our penal system to-day. A case record of each inmate has been carefully maintained, and during the six years and a half ended 31st December last, of the 1,621 youths who passed through the Invercargill Borstal Institution, only 141, or 8-7 per cent., have subsequently appeared before the Courts. Of the 184 cases that have been released from the Borstal since the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, only 17 have again been reconvicted. At Waikeria, during the six years and a half period referred to above, of the 1,131 inmates who passed through the Institution only 86, or 7-6 per cent., have been subsequently charged with offences, and of the 161 Borstal lads, who have been released since the institution was gazetted a Borstal Institution in January, 1925, only 11 have been reconvicted. The Point Halswell Borstal Institution is of still more recent origin. The total number of committals since its inception, three years ago, up till the 31st December last was 89, and of this number 44 have been released. Of these, only 4 have again appeared before the Courts. As 20 girls have been released for over two years, this small number of failures is most encouraging. In England the Borstal system has been in vogue since 1908, and it is considered highly satisfactory to secure 70 per cent, successes. The results of our experiment in this method of treatment of young offenders may thus be regarded as distinctly gratifying. In the words of Lord Hewart, the Lord Chief Justice of England, in relation to the English Borstals, it can equally be said of our own institutions :— " These are good works. May they increase and succeed more and more. They make it plain that this country, at any rate, is rich in means, if they are faithfully employed, for helping those who have made a lapse, and for forming or retrieving a character able to resist temptation and to avoid crime. Let us beware of any voices of indolence or of cynicism that might belittle the efforts or hamper their further development." General Progress during the Year. Industries and Development. Following the present-day policy of employing prisoners on utilitarian works, considerable progress has been made in the industrial activities of the Department. The farm-development work at Waikeria, Invercargill, Paparua, Wi Tako, and the work in connection with the bringing into cultivation of the pumice lands at Hautu and Rangipo is foremost in the Department's enterprises. One of the principal objects of employment is to instil in the prisoners a sense of economic and social responsibility, and thus fit them to take their place as useful units of society on release. The activities most suited to this purpose in a young and partially developed country are those associated with the primary industries of the Dominion.

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Environmental conditions have a definite relation to delinquency and crime, particularly t 1 ose conditions often associated with the haunts in our cities frequented by our criminals, but the healthful conditions on the farms, with the open air, extensive liberties, and strenuous but creative work, all make for virility and character. Apart, however, from the above virtues of open-air work as far as the criminals themselves are concerned, it is found that those elements of competition which arouse hostility in the marketing of the product of prison labour are not evident in connection with primary industries. The market is sufficiently large to enable our produce to be easily .absorbed without prejudicing other producers. The following section of this report relating to expenditure and revenue give details of the financial results, and the appended reports of the officers in charge of the various institutions give details of their work, but there are several items that warrant special reference. At the Waikeria Borstal farm 2,758 acres of land were taken over from the Mental Hospitals Department during the year for development. One-ninth of this area only was down in permanent pasture, one-half in temporary pasture, and the balance was in swamp, scrub, and rough state for draining, clearing, and cultivation. The total holding of the Borstal farm now comprises 4,815 acres. Splendid progress is being made in the clearing of the land, and general farming in all its branches is carried out for the instruction of the inmates. Three dairies have been established, the standard of which is a credit to the Department. By judicious culling and careful feeding, the average yield per cow has year by year been brought up from 170 lb. of milk for the season 1921-22 to 364 lb. for the season 1927-28. The following graph, dra.wn by a Borstal inmate, discloses a position regarding which the institution may be justly proud, particularly in view of the fact that the herds are not raised from high-priced pedigree stock.

COWS IN HERDS. Top numbers, Shorthorns. Lower numbers, Jerseys.

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At Hautu exceedingly good progress has been made in developing the pumice land. During the year arrangements were completed for the acquisition of further Crown and Native lands, thereby increasing our holding from just under 1,000 acres at Hautu to 10,000 acres. At Rangipo the area has been extended from 800-odd acres to slightly under 5,000 acres. Both of these blocks of country have responded beyond expectations to the system of cultivation applied, and during the past year an extensive programme of clearing and bringing into cultivation has been pursued with success. The area is proving to be one of the best clover-growing lands in the Dominion. It is easy country, well watered, and with a mild climate. An initial consignment of bullocks and lambs was recently sent to the Westfield market. The former averaged 950 lb., and, the top prices realized were £16 7s. 6d. per head, the average being £14 2s. 6d., while the lambs, which were Southdown-Romney cross, constituted a record for Westfield. The weights averaged 65 lb., and the prices realized the exceptional figure of £2 4s. per head. Neither of these lines of stock were specially bred. Their excellent condition was entirely due to the splendid pasturing and the climatic conditions at Hautu. At Trentham a larger area has been taken over from the Defence Department, and now practically the whole of the flat swamp, comprising approximately 100 acres, has been drained and brought into cultivation. Arrangements are in hand for the establishment of a large vegetable-garden to enable the Department to supply other institutions under the control of State Departments with their requirements in vegetables. At Paparua, despite the fact that the farm is mainly a river-bed flat, good results have been attained. Almost sufficient potatoes to meet the Department's full needs were produced at this institution. Sheep-farming, pig husbandry, poultry-keeping, and the growing of vegetables are also profitable sources of revenue. The returns from the sheep were particularly satisfactory this past season. Arrangements were made to have early lambs available for a special seasonal market, when prices up to £2 os. 6d. were realized. At the Christchurch Royal Show the Department was successful in securing a number of prizes for stock exhibited. The cup presented to the winner of the highest aggregate number of points in the sheep classes was also won by the Department. In the freezing class for fat lambs, which are judged in London, the Department secured second prize, while in the Dominion Meat Board's special class it secured first and second prizes. It is found that these achievements stimulate the interest of the prisoners in their work, as they take personal pride in the results. Considerable stress is laid by modern penologists on the psychological factor known as " suggestive therapy," and there is no doubt that these splendid results demonstrate in a practical manner the benefits to be derived from organized purposeful efforts, and have a stimulating effect for good on all concerned. . At Invercargill many improvements have been effected in connection with the housing of the dairy herd, which is being steadily culled with the object of bringing the herd up to a higher standard of production. At Mount Eden extensive alterations have been made to the quarrying plant, enabling the Department to produce metal in conformity with current roading requirements. The equipping of the quarry workshop was completed during the year, and this, in addition to providing a further avenue for skilled employment for prisoners, also enables repairs to be effected on the spot with a minimum of delay. Other industries carried on primarily from a vocational point of view, to enable inmates to be taught trades; but, secondarily, to keep down the cost of prison-administration, are bootmaking and repairing, tailoring, and mail-bag and satchel repairs. Activities in the Waimarino district have been concentrated mainly on roadworks, and splendid results are to be seen in the formation of a section of the main highway between Ohakune and Taumarunui. The Department also undertakes the maintenance of the road between Waimarino and Tokaanu. Good progress has been made towards the completion of the new prison at Wellington, and simultaneously the demolition of the Terrace Prison has been proceeded with. When finished, this prison will be the most up-to-date trial and remand prison in the Dominion. The site at the Terrace is being levelled, and it is hoped that next year will see it available for the commencement of a new school. Several minor industries, including lead-headed-nail making, soap-making, and the manufacture of floor-polish, are carried on at Wellington. The output is confined to Government requirements, being issued to our own institutions and other Departments. At Napier the prison has been completely renovated and the quarry reconstructed. A considerable area of land that hitherto had been lying waste and overrun with weeds and rubbish has been converted into a vegetable-garden, enabling the prison to supply a considerable portion of its own needs in vegetables. The attention that has been devoted to the economic side of the Department's work has given rise to the suggestion in some quarters that the Department is commercializing prison labour, but an intelligent review of the position makes it fairly obvious that the social and the economic activities are interdependent. Both are essential in any reasonably balanced scheme of reformative treatment. The useful and productive employment of prisoners is beneficial in many ways. It aids the prisoner's ultimate fitness to resume his place in the community, while at the same time it keeps down the burden on the taxpayer ; but in no case is the welfare of the prisoner subordinated entirely to economic considerations. Expenditure and Revenue. This year, through the Department's accounts being placed on a proper accountancy basis, it is possible to present with this report for the first time complete revenue accounts and balance-sheet of the Department summarizing the results of the various industries. These accounts have been carefully checked, but are still subject to completion of audit. These audited accounts will appear in

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due course in the parliamentary 8.-l papers. Previously the financial statements accompanying the report were based on cash payments and cash receipts. While these were of considerable value, they were not sufficiently complete or extensive in themselves to permit of a proper review of the result of the Department's activities. This was particularly so in the case of the various industries in which prisoners are engaged. A general review of the industries and of the results shown by their accounts is made in detail, but a preliminary consideration of the actual cash receipts and payments is first given. While the actual results shown by the profit and loss accounts are of ultimate consequence, the cash figures are necessarily of primary importance, as they are essentially the " ways and means " of the Department's activities for the year. Following is a statement showing the total payments and credits of Prisons vote for the year, compared with the three previous periods :■ —

Summary of Payments and Receipts on Account of Prisons Vote from 1924 to 1928.

In gross expenditure for the period under review there is an increase of approximately £12,400 over the previous year, while there was also a reduction of revenue of £4,000, the total net expenditure for the year being £16,400 in excess of 1926-27. This increase is actually more apparent than real. The normal additional expenditure upon rations, clothing, wages, and earnings, &c., consequent upon the increased number of prisoners (ninety-two above 1926-27) may, at a minimum, be taken as involving an additional £3,500, or approximately £36 per head. There are other expenses which do not go up in a direct ratio to increases of prison population. During the year exceptional expenditure was made from the vote which was not an additional expense to the State. This comprised £4,000 expenditure on liautu land development, which in previous years was charged to Public Works Fund ; £1,700 for live-stock and implements taken over from the Mental Hospitals Department; and £1,300 paid to the Post and Telegraph Department for two motor-vans which were already in use in the Prisons service. The appointment of full-time Probation Officers to fulfil the pressing need for reorganization of the probation system involved an additional £3,000 expenditure. Exceptional activity in the bootmaking industry for other Departments required an additional £1,700 for raw materials. The individual items already quoted more than make up the £12,400 increase. There are other increases in items, and also decreases, but the items mentioned are outstanding. Following a close analysis, I am satisfied that the Department is now controlling expenditure with more efficiency and economy that it has previously, and without loss of efficiency in any branch of its activities. The reduction of revenue of £4,000 directly reflects the lean trading-conditions passed through during the period. The Department's revenue is derived from many trading sources, and the buoyancy of outside trade conditions is definitely reflected in the Department's industries. General conditions during 1927-28 have made themselves felt accordingly. A substantial portion of the Department's revenue is received for services performed for other Government Departments, and a reduction of credits from this source for the year in roadworks amounted to £4,000, and in mail-bag repairs to £700. It is some consolation to know that some of these reductions are the result of economy in other Departments. Quarry revenue suffered a reduction of £4,000. The increased railway tariff now operates against haulage of metal, and has severely reduced the market for this product. This position has now been met at the principal prison quarry (at Auckland) by the installation of additional plant to better meet modern roading requirements and so secure a better demand within a smaller area. The quarry revenue results for the first quarter of the current period augur well for this industry. Credits from the farms during 1927-28 amounted to £17,842, the highest on record, notwithstanding the depression of the butter-market. The Department's present policy of pushing the agricultural side of its activities is already bearing fruit. The year just past showed an increased credit of £4,000 for primary produce sold. For the current period this increase continues to show even better revenue. The prospects for 1928-29, as reviewed recently, indicate that last year's results will be considerably exceeded. Expenditure on Prisoners' Rations. The cost of feeding the prisoner is a considerable item of the Department's expenditure. In 1925-26 a peak was reached at £19,547. In 1926-27, following a policy of producing more vegetables, meat, and potatoes on the prison farms, a reduction to £19,389 was attained notwithstanding that the increase of prisoners normally required a greater expenditure. Following the same policy in 1927-28, and supplementing it with completion of the scheme of making all bread in our own institutions, the cost of purchased rations for the year just past has been reduced to £15,736. This is probably one

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I | Daily Average Gross Expenditure. J Credits. Net Expenditure. Year. Number of ! j ; Inmates. Total. Per Head. Total. Per Head. Total. 1 Per Head. | ; J I I £ £ £ £ £ £ 1924-25 .. 1,227-81 ! 144,484 117-67 68,118 55-56 76,366 62-11 1925-26 .. 1,340-13 152,794 114-00 79,099 59-02 73,695 54-98 1926-27 .. 1,397-25 | 148,766 106-47 70,915 50-76 77,851 55-71 1927-28 .. 1,489-62 1 161,199 108-21 66,979 44-95 94,220 63-26

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of the best individual achievements towards economy that has been provided. No quantity-reductions in the prisoner's ration has been made, but in some cases it has been increased. Not only has a monetary saving been made, but the policy now more fully established means fresher milk, bread, and vegetables on the prison diet. Following is a comparative statement showing ration cost to the vote in 1927-28 compared with previous periods. Wholes? le prices for 1927-28 were on a parity with the previous year, so that no part of the decrease can be attributed to lower prices.

Cost of Rations purchased (not including Tobacco).

Prison Labour. In the appendix (Table Bl) are shown details of prison labour costed into industries, capital works and institution accounts, a total of £87,431 being charged. Of this total, £51,301 has been borne by industry accounts, £16,090 on development of land and erection of buildings, and £20,040 on institution services. Compared with the previous year, there is approximately an equal ratio increase in all three sections corresponding generally to the increased labour available from the higher number of inmates. There is no particular comment to add to this, except that the figures given show that of every four prisoners working one is employed on institution maintenance, one on capital works, and two on industries. Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance-sheets. With the presentation of these accounts for the first time as part of my report, it is possible to make some interesting remarks on the extent and result of Departmental activities and on the capital invested by the State in the housing and employment of prisoners. At the 31st March, 1928, the total value of tangible assets held by the Department amounted to £960,100. This investment involves an annual standing charge for interest and depreciation of approximately £55,000 over and above the annual cash cost. Of this annual charge a total sum of £13,500 is chargeable to industries, to be recovered out of revenue, which also bears a charge of £500 for rent of properties. Most of the industries are sufficiently healthy to bear their annual charges for interest and depreciation, but a few have been heavily burdened. The Wi Tako brickworks require revenue to recoup interest and depreciation of nearly £2,800 per annum. The Department is not now engaged in making bricks, but has leased the works on a basis reckoned to recoup the standing charges. Invercargill farm also has a heavy annual charge consequent upon the cost of converting water-covered estuary land into a farm. It is expected that as the development proceeds the burden will be lessened, but a general survey of the scheme from the financial aspect indicates that while the reclamation has undoubted advantages in some directions, it will not be possible to show much, if any, profits without revaluing the farm on a basis of production-capacity. In my earlier remarks I pointed out that, notwithstanding an increased vote expenditure during the year, the Department was, without loss of efficiency, being run more economically than hitherto. A consideration of the Income and Expenditure Account (Table B) shows that the net cost of maintenance, including all interest, depreciation, &c., amounted to £74 Bs. per head in 1927-28. This is a reduction of £9 17s. per head compared with the previous year. Industry working. This reduction of £9 17s. per head is, of course, after considering an increased number of prisoners over which to distribute the cost. The increased numbers tends to make the per capita cost normally come down. Notwithstanding this, however, the actual net total cost for 1927-28 was lower than in 1926-27—viz., £111,474, compared with £115,967. One of the principal causes of this reduction is the improved showing of industries as a whole. During 1926-27 the total labour charged against prison industries amounted to £48,499. After charging this the loss on industries was £20,517, or, in other words, the actual surplus was £27,982, if the nominal labour charges are left out of consideration. During 1927-28 a labour charge of £51,301 had to be absorbed by the industries, while the net loss amounts to £12,924, or a surplus of £38,792 when labour is disregarded. The latter year, therefore, actually showed an improvement of £11,000. This waiving of the prison-labour charge for final comparative purposes of results is quite sound. It is initially taken into account to give effect to the fact that, having some value, such value should be taken as a nominal charge by the industry or work which received it. By adopting standard rates it enables each industry to be compared more fairly than were no charge made. It also operates to

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Daily Average I Annual Annual Cost per Year. Number of 1 Amount. Cost per 1 Prisoners. Head. | to 14 Wholesale Price .Basis. £ £ £ 1914 .. .. .. .. 979-81 11,555 11-79 11-79 1919-20 .. .. .. 965-07 17,294 17-93 1924-25 .. .. .. 1,227-50 18,332 14-93 10-58 1925-26 .. .. .. 1.340-13 19,547 14-58 10-19 1926-27 .. .. .. 1,397-25 19,389 13-88 10-60 1927-28 .. .. .. 1,489-62 15,736 j 10-57 8-09

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ensure that accidental price-cutting is not caused by lack of data as to cost and value of products. Yet in the final analysis this labour costs the State nothing, and the ascertainment of surpluses or deficits in industries cannot rightly be gauged without finally dispensing with the charge. This is particularly so in the cases of farms and quarries, and more or less in other industries. The quantity of labour applied to an industry cannot, unfortunately, be limited to its maximum requirement. A prison controlling-officer is fortunate if he has more work in sight than his available labour can perform. Frequently labour is literally " fed " to an industry which cannot economically absorb it. Taken as a whole, it can be said that all prison industries more or less receive greater labour than they need, simply because it is prison labour which is dealt with. This factor must be borne in mind when considering the individual results of industries. Most of these are healthy and closely-managed activities which, although showing losses after labour has been charged, actually are returning an excess of revenue over expenditure. In nearly all cases the losses are less than the labour charges, and in only one or two do the losses amount to more than labour and supervision. In many all expenses, including labour and supervision charges, have been recouped and an additional surplus returned. The Wi Tako brickworks show a loss of £1,680, made up of interest and depreciation charges. In 1926 the Government rightly decided to cease activity in this industry and lease the works to private enterprise. With a market limited to Government orders, these works Lad been required to produce bricks in uneconomical quantities equivalent to less than half the capacity of the plant. The inactivity during 1926-27, when a loss of £2,453 was made, was the obvious result of over-production and increasing stocks in earlier periods. The last of the bricks made by prison labour were sold eighteen months after burning ceased. For five months of 1927-28 the works were leased to a co-operative party, which, however, due to its own mismanagement, eventually disbanded. That the principle of leasing the works is the right policy for the State is indicated by the result during 1927-28 : the loss was cut down by £800. With fresh lessees now in occupation of the works, it is anticipated this loss will be further met in the current period and eventually return royalty equivalent to interest and depreciation charges. The farming industry, with one exception, indicate satisfactory results from a financial point of view. Farm working and development at Hautu is already showing that it can be profitably undertaken. A surplus of £488 has been made on working, and placed as a reduction of development-cost. At Invercargill a loss of £5,703 is shown although prison-labour charges amount to only £4,618. No other prison farms are required to bear the heavy depreciation and interest charges that are laden here, amounting to £3,720. A large proportion of the fixed charges are on account of capitalized prison labour in previous years ; but notwithstanding this, as stated earlier in my report, it is doubtful if a great success can be shown without revaluation. Not even the highly satisfactory production of £8,023 in 1927-28 is sufficient to make this farm pay its way. Farming at Paparua and Waikeria has been exceptionally successful : leaving prison labour out of consideration, the results show a surplus of £1,550 at Paparua and £4,243 at Waikeria. Labour on prison farms is a big charge in the accounts, and for these two institutions literally to pay labour charges of £4,243 and £1,550 during a depressed period is a matter to be commended. Farming at Wi Tako Prison has not yet managed to recover all its interest, rent, and depreciation charges. During 1927-28 it failed by approximately £300. This farm is similar to Invercargill in that it is in a stage of development. It has, however, a prospect of less per acre development-cost, and within the next few seasons is anticipated to be giving results similar to Waikeria and Paparua. Laundering and mending for other Departments is an industry of recent development in the Prisons Department. It has a great advantage financially in that the Public Account cost of maintaining it is very small: 75 per cent, of the cost is labour and supervision. In 1927-28 a net profit of £120 is shown after charging all expenses, including labour, of £931. This industry will show a bigger revenue in future. The figures for 1927-28 in respect of Addington and Auckland cover'a period of three months only, since their commencement towards the end of the 1927-28 period. Improvements in Administration and Organization. In my report on the year 1926-27 were detailed a number of improvements brought into effect during that period. Considerable progress had by then been made in bringing in the most needed changes. These have stood to show their benefits, and during the following year have become part of the established order of things. During the ensuing year further improvements have been added to make for smoother, more efficient, more economical, and more co-ordinating administration. A few of the additional features brought in during 1927-28 may be taken at random and mentioned. During the year a bread-oven was installed at Auckland Prison, and baking commenced from about October. Notwithstanding the enjoyment of the previous exceptionally good bread contracts let for this prison, the economy of our own baking has realized expectations. A definite saving of cash to the Public Account, amounting to £600 per annum, has been effected in this one prison alone. Arrangements were in hand at the close of the year to install an oven at New Plymouth. It is anticipated that this will effect economy of £100 per annum. The purchase of ration cattle for Paparua Prison, near Christchurch, was reviewed last year. Due to the Addington market being an exceptionally good one for the seller, a three-months trial was given of buying this prison's requirements in Southland from January to March. The trial was not without experiment, but proved most satisfactory, and a saving of approximately 10s. per 100 lb. beef was effected after paying freight charges. A similar scheme'is now under consideration for purchase Wi Tako beef in the Waikato. The purchase of English magazines for the prisons has now been arranged through the High Commissioner's Office in London. Not only are the better English prices obtained, but substantial discount is obtained by the High Commissioner which was not given by New Zealand retailers.

2—H. 20.

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At Waikune Prison, where extensive motor transport is carried out, a bulk motor-spirits pump was installed, and the cost of motor fuel substantially reduced as a result. At other prisons bulk supplies are now obtained where possible, with distinct savings compared with cased fuel. As an effort towards economy to the State in general, the question of utilizing prison labour for other Departments has been actively pursued. Efforts in this direction are seriously handicapped by the opposition met from private enterprise, and the Department has necessarily to carefully consider each enterprise in order that unreasonable competition is not set up in a market that already suffers from over-production. It sometimes happens that although the Department is loath to compete with private business the need for the prisoner to be employed in a vocation is of equal importance to the private traders' views on the question. Thus there are occasions when the Department must enter the traders' market to solve its own problem of unemployment. However, the industries are pushed in directions having a minimum of competitive friction, and as far as possible the work required for other Departments and local bodies are preferably followed up as unquestionably a legitimate market for prison labour. The adoption of this policy during 1927-28 saw the taking-up of laundry-work for the Defence Department at Auckland and Christchurch, and for other Government Departments in New Plymouth, Christchurch, and Wellington. A little new business has been obtained periodically through the Railway Refreshment Branch organization in the supply of potatoes and other vegetables to various Departments, and a scheme is now under consideration to undertake this more extensively throughout the Dominion during next season. The foregoing is related to show the factors to be considered in advancing the Department's activities on lines which are in accord with the Government's policy regarding State Departments in business. In the financial and stores accounting further progress has been made during the year. This aspect of administration required more overhaul and standardization of system than any other feature, and requires reasonable lapse of time over which to establish a solid co-ordinating system. The improvements effected in the previous year have by now settled down to the simple routine which was aimed at. Revision of stores records has now been effected in all but a few of the minor prisons. Stores and accounts forms have in a number of instances been improved by modification, or dispensed with and combined, with a view to reducing work. The Deposit Accounts of prisons and of probation officers was thoroughly reviewed during the year. From the Ist April, 1928, the forms and system have been improved and standardized as far as the separate features allow. Opportunity was taken to revise the previously varying rates of maintenance charged by different institutions for prisoners remanded for medical treatment. All institutions now adopt similar rates, computed to cover actual expenses incurred. A change in the incidence of hospital treatment of prisoners as far as institutions are concerned was brought in during the year. Previously an institution sending a prisoner to hospital bore the cost. This was usually not correct. The circumstances to which the illness was attributable were either not occasioned by his detention or not by the particular prison from which he was admitted to hospital. The present practice is that where a prisoner is injured during employment in an industry, that industry is charged with the cost of maintenance, as an equivalent charge to that to be met under the Workers' Compensation Act by a private business. All other hospital treatment is distributed ■pro rata over all the prisons. A concession was given to prisoner smokers last year by the free issue of cigarette-papers. A number of prisoners had previously taken advantage of a concession to provide papers out of their earnings, but the clerical work occasioned by charging up many debits of a few pence was not worth the saving. Provision has been made for more precise action in dealing with the survey and condemnation of unserviceable stores, a work which is a very important part of the stores system. Socializing Efforts. Education, Morals, Religion, and Visiting. In recent years greater attention has been focused on the criminal, for the reason that his treatment is regarded from a more constructive angle than heretofore. Originally the retributive element of justice predominated. This was reflected years ago in the harsher prison methods and the occasional vicious sentences imposed. The protective and deterrent purposes of prison treatment are still, and must continue to be, important considerations \ but the idea underlying society's right to remove an offender from its midst has given place to a realization that although society may be protected whilst an offender is in prison, if he emerges therefrom worse than when he entered, craftier than ever, embittered by his experience, or if he has been hardened by his treatment in prison rather than socialized in his attitude, he is a greater menace to society than before. Consequently the efforts to socialize and to stimulate an endeavour to reform are now regarded as factors of vital moment in the presentday treatment of offenders. A study of the various groups of offenders shows that there are certain criminals who are practically abandoned to their criminal careers, and that reformative efforts to influence them are more or less futile, but happily these do not constitute the great bulk of our prison population. Eor these an indeterminate sentence, involving in some cases lifelong detention, is the only safeguard to society. It is because of the foregoing considerations that, iu addition to attention being given to the physical welfare of prisoners, greater regard is had for their mental development, particularly in the case of young offenders where there is a reasonable prospect of training being turned to useful purposes.

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Another important factor is that a certain amount of cultivation of the mind tends to counteract undesirable reactions to the monotony of prison routine. A reformative training-system 011 the principle of a full and active day of employment and training, both physical and mental, must in itself also act as a powerful deterrent in most cases. For these reasons an extension has been made in what may be called the socializing programmes at the various institutions. Educational classes have been supplemented by lectures provided by the W.E.A. and other voluntary helpers, and extra facilities have been provided for mental development. At the prison camps where there are no resident teachers arrangements have been completed, through the courtesy of the Education Department, for correspondence tuition to be available to any prisoner whose education has been neglected and who desires to take up a course of primary study. The Department is indebted to many donors of gifts of books for the prison libraries, which are now established at every institution. The Y.M.C.A. has rendered material help in the social work of the prisons, and the Department is particularly indebted to Mr. R. W. Brasted, the National Secretary of the Y.M.C.A., for his splendid work in connection with the Invercargill Borstal Institution. The provision, by voluntary subscription, of wireless sets has been greatly appreciated, and has proved a great boon at Waikeria, Invercargill, New Plymouth, Addington, and Point Halswell; while at several of the institutions gifts of a piano or an organ have proved of great assistance in connection with religious services and the occasional entertainments provided for the inmates. These instruments are splendid aids towards a more balanced development, but, in addition, the knowledge that these privileges are donated by outsiders sympathetically disposed towards the well-being of the prisoners goes a long way to counteract any tendencies to resentment against society. Visits and letter-writing are encouraged to a greater extent than hitherto, as it is realized that the maintenance of contact with relatives and friends is important in dispelling a feeling of despondency, abandonment, and isolation. The Department is deeply indebted and grateful to the various ministers of religion and other Christian workers for their attention and kindly interest in the spiritual welfare of prisoners. Opportunity is again taken to express appreciation to the Justices' Association for their continued interest in the welfare of the prisoners and the liberal assistance given in necessitous cases to dependants of prisoners. The Visiting Justices undertake an important and helpful duty in assisting in the maintenance of good order and discipline at the prisons. It is occasionally stated that prison makes criminals rather than reforms them ; but this assertion is based on the erroneous assumption that prisons to-day are conducted on similar lines to those obtaining many years ago, when all classes of offenders were grouped together irrespective of age, character, or criminal experience. To associate together the first offender, of previous good character, with individuals of criminal habits, tendencies, or associates, or the young occasional offender with the older professional criminal, is likely to result in contamination, and is recognized to be contrary to the interests of the community and the individual. For this reason different classes of offenders are now drafted to different institutions appropriate to their character, age, and criminal propensities. For example, it is found that a regime which is appropriate to adolescent offenders detained at the Borstal is not suited to the older offenders in the prisons. As far as existing facilities and financial conditions will permit, separate regimes are provided for the different categories of prisoners. A perusal of the institutional reports attached hereto will convey an idea of the progress that has been made in recent years in the socializing aims of the Department. Indeterminate Sentences. Under section 29 of the Crimes Act it is provided that where a person is convicted on indictment of an offence of a sexual nature or one relating to abortion, and such person has been previously convicted on at least two occasions of any similar class of offence, the Court may in its discretion declare as part of the sentence that such person is an habitual criminal; or where a person is convicted on indictment and such conviction is in respect of an offence of either wounding, robbery, burglary, housebreaking, theft, false pretences, extortion, forgery, or mischief, and such person has been previously convicted 011 at least four occasions of any similar class of offence, whether of the same description or not, the Court may in its discretion declare that such person is an habitual criminal. Section 12 of the Crimes Amendment Act, 1910, provides that it shall be the duty of the Prisons Board to make inquiry from time to time whether there is reasonable cause for belief that any habitual criminal is sufficiently reformed to be released on probation or discharged, or to make inquiry from time to time whether there is sufficient grounds for granting a discharge of any habitual criminal who has been released on probation, and after making such inquiry to make recommendation to the GovernorGeneral as to the release on probation or discharge of such habitual criminal. It will be seen from the foregoing statutory provision that where a person has been declared an habitual criminal his release from prison is contingent on his satisfying the Prisons Board as to his fitness therefor and that he is likely to abstain from crime in the future. The Board is required to have regard to the safety of the public as well as for the welfare of the person it recommends for release. The release from prison in the first instance is conditional only, the prisoner being required to report to a Probation Officer. If after a period on probation he can satisfy the Board that he is faithfully observing the conditions of his probationary license, and is considered not likely to offend again, he can be absolutely discharged. The foregoing is the only form of indeterminate sentence in operation in New Zealand. It is fairly frequently used where an offender is persistently appearing before the Courts, or where it is clear from the offender's record that there is a definite tendency towards crime. Twenty persons were declared habitual criminals last year, and ninety-seven persons have been so declared during the past five years.

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The question of indeterminate sentences has been the subject of considerable discussion in recent years, and at the last International Prisons Congress, held in London in 1925, the following resolution was adopted unanimously : — " That the indeterminate sentence is the necessary consequence of the individualization of punishment and one of the most efficacious means of social defence against crime. The indeterminate sentence, with guarantees and rules for conditional release of prisoners, and with executive adaptations following national conditions, should have a maximum fixed by the sentence for first offenders responsible for minor offences. For the habitual criminal and for the more dangerous criminal it ought to be organized so that conditional release of the prisoner cannot take place if he is not readapted to society." The latter portion of the above resolution recognizes the insecurity and waste through habitual offenders repeatedly appearing before the Courts and being awarded fixed sentences of relatively brief duration. The principle of indeterminate sentence is now in vogue in several countries. In a recent report from Western Australia it is noticed that in the Prisons Act for that State there is provision for any prisoner eighteen years or older, convicted of an indictable offence not punishable by death, and who has been previously so convicted on at least two occasions, to be declared an habitual criminal, and that on the expiry of any sentence imposed upon him he is to be detained during the Governor's pleasure. An important qualification is made which goes a step further than the New Zealand law : this provides that, if the Court thinks fit, the condition regarding two previous convictions need not apply, regard being had to the age, health, mental condition, nature of the offence, and any special circumstances. It is frequently stated that it would be more logical to predetermine the requisite period of hospital treatment for a physical ailment than it is to prescribe a fixed term for the reformation of an offender. Up to a certain point this analogy is sound, for there is no doubt that just as physical ailments require a close and often prolonged study of symptoms and reaction to certain specifics to arrive at correct diagnosis and treatment, so the reformation of a criminal requires a long and careful study of the habits and personality of an offender. Often a man is sent back to prison a number of times, and after each release he again relapses into crime. It would be better for the offender himself, as well as for the community generally, for such a person to be detained indefinitely until he is capable of adapting himself to the ordinary requirements of a life of freedom. Sir E. R. Brise, in advocating the indeterminate sentence for recidivists, instead of the succession of short sentences, states : " They are costly to the State, and prejudicial to the individual, and an almost certain prelude to his complete and irretrievable downfall." Another authority has stated the position as follows :— " The tendency of modern penological thought is towards sentencing for an indefinite period, placing the responsibility for release on parole and ultimate discharge in a carefully selected Board who shall base their judgments upon a thorough knowledge of all facts concerning the prisoner and his community. If that tendency realizes its logical outcome, both definite sentences and short sentences will be done away with, and the prisoner himself will determine the length of his sentence. This is in accordance with sound penological theory. There is no logical reason for releasing a man from safekeeping until society can be assured of its security from his menace." It is sometimes urged that the indefiniteness of a sentence as an habitual criminal creates a feeling of hopelessness and despair in the prisoner ; but it has to be borne in mind that in most cases, before a prisoner qualifies to be an habitual criminal, the offences committed by him are often of sufficient gravity to have warranted a long term of imprisonment, in some cases for life. It should be more satisfactory for the prisoner to know that upon his conduct and industry and general character depends his release at any time. In other words, release in a large measure rests with the prisoner himself. The Prisons Board, regularly reviews cases and recommends release when it is considered safe to do so. During the past year twenty-two habitual criminals were released on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. When the mentality and unstable character of these criminals is considered, it is difficult to guarantee their after-conduct with any degree of certainty, but making due allowance for the intractable material —habituals as a class are regarded to be, of all criminals, the most hopeless of reform-— the following results may be regarded as reasonably satisfactory : In the period from January, ] 911, when the Crimes Amendment Act, 1910, first became effective, to December last the Prisons Board dealt with 436 cases of habitual criminals, of whom 386 were released on probation on the Board's recommendation. Of these so released 55-96 per cent, were returned to prison either for non-compliance of the conditions of probation or for committing further offences. No offences are recorded against the remaining 44 per cent. In the original scheme for dealing with habitual criminals it was provided by regulation that all persons declared as such should be segregated as a class apart and treated separately from other offenders. The underlying idea was, of course, to prevent contamination of first offenders and those less experienced in crime by hardened criminals. This is a most important consideration, but the consensus of opinion amongst modern penologists is that a system of classification based mainly on criminal experience instead of primarily upon personality is incomplete. In any system of individualization of punishment it is not possible to lay down hard-and-fast rules for dealing with any particular class en bloc. Each offender must be treated individually, and be placed where he will be likely to show the best response, having regard always, of course, to the

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interests of the community and the safe custody of the prisoner. It is frequently found that an habitual criminal can be placed at a reformative camp with advantage to himself and without fear of any contamination to others. Mentality of Criminals. In recent years increasing emphasis has been given to a study of the causes of crime, with particular reference to the relation of mental impairment to delinquency. Crime is not necessarily a pathological manifestation, but, whatever the causes, there is in every community a criminal class who constitute a menace to good order. Some of these are of a very low type of mentality, lacking in self-control and with strongly developed passions that scarcely differentiate them from animals, while others are of a higher intellect and education who seem deliberately to have adopted a life of crime either from love of adventure or notoriety, or because of moral instability. It is impossible to say definitely how large a proportion of our criminals are such by reason of the inheritance of physical or mental characteristics which incline them towaxds crime. One recognized authority has stated : " Beyond doubt a considerable portion of crime and degeneracy is due in a large measure to innate inclination ; but with just as little doubt much is the effect mainly of vicious habits acquired through an unwholesome environment. A normal appetite or impulse may be given a pathological trend by bad influence." I have made the above observations because of a growing tendency, particularly amongst sentimentalist doctrinaires, to excuse all criminals on the ground of impaired mentality. While it is apparent to any one who has come in touch with a large number of criminals that the greater percentage of crime is due to a wanton and reckless disregard of the rights of others, arising primarily from a lack of self-discipline and early training, it must be recognized that a fairly high percentage of crime is due to mental deficiency, particularly feeble-mindedness, which is usually manifested by such characteristics as low intelligence, social incapacity, and lack of initiative and self-control. Many individuals manifesting such characteristics are in our prisons, and under the present-day policy of classification it has been necessary to establish special retardate classes for such individuals at the Borstal institutions. This is because of the lack of more appropriate provision in other non-penal institutions. Authoritative opinion differs as to the wisdom of separately segregating feeble-minded and socially defective persons. Some hold that it is undesirable to make mental cases conscious that they are a class apart, with low potentials of mental and moral efficiency, and experience has shown that the higher-grade defectives can be satisfactorily dealt with among more normal members of the community. Local experience shows that some cases prove a definite hindrance to the Department's reformative efforts with other inmates, and it has been necessary in many cases to arrange for the transfer of such inmates to a mental hospital; but the great majority of higher-grade cases respond reasonably well to our institutional treatment, and are quite happy whilst in detention. Unfortunately, the term of sentence is fixed, and these individuals must be released, although they may be still unfitted to take their places as self-reliant units of society. Under kindly supervision and oversight the higher-grade feeble-minded manage to get along reasonably well, but the lower-grade defectives almost invariably lapse into anti-social practices and lower our average of successes. This class is without doubt becoming a cumulative menace, and, if society is to protect itself, and at the same time afford adequate protection to those afflicted, more definite provision for supervision, care, and control is of vital necessity. Whilst dealing with the subject of the mentality of criminals, I desire to make special mention of the helpful co-operation of Dr. T. H. Gray, Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals, who has kindly agreed to an arrangement whereby the psychiatrists attached to his Department are available when required for the purpose of examining prisoners and advising suitable regime. Conclusion. In conclusion, I desire to place on record my appreciation of the zealous manner in which the officers at the various institutions have carried out their duties. In the main, there is a growing appreciation by the staff of a higher significance of their work—that they are not merely custodians —and that it is by the force of their example and their own personal inspiration to a higher standard of conduct the most constructive results are likely to be achieved with those placed under their care. The local controlling officers and the Head Office staff have continued to co-operate loyally with me in an endeavour to improve and to maintain the effective and economical administration of the Department. B. L. Dallaed, Controller-General of Prisons.

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Inspector op Prisons to the Controller-General of Prisons. I have the honour to submit my report for the year 1927 -28 regarding the inspection of the prisons and institutions under the control of the Department. At intervals throughout the year the institutions —including prison farms, camps, and Borstal institutions—have been inspected and an opportunity given to prisoners and inmates to discuss matters relating to their treatment, &c., whilst in detention and their well-being after release. The majority of the prisoners serving lengthy terms were naturally interested in the most expeditious way of obtaining their release, and explanations of circumstances relating to their respective cases were frequently made for transmission to the Prisons Board. The absence of complaints by prisoners against officers is, I think, an indication that a better understanding between prisoners and officers exists, and that the former realize that the officials are carrying out their duties impartially. A few of the " old-timers," some of whom have had experience of prison conditions in other countries, have a strong inclination to propound new theories in connection with prison - administration. The suggestions made by these men are generally in the direction of providing more comforts for prisoners, with a view to making life in prison really attractive. This class, although constituting less than 3 per cent, of those in custody, regard themselves as the appointed representatives of the entire prison population. Whether in prison or at large, they prey upon the susceptibilities of inexperienced social workers, who are often misled by their fantastic stories of prison life. Social workers who act as prison visitors and are suitable for that work do much good, but it is only the experienced and discriminating visitor who can successfully deal with the plausible " old-timer." It is noteworthy that visitors who carefully cultivate a spirit of harmony in their relations with the officials and seek to avoid interference or collision with them ate the most successful. The standard of industry amongst prisoners and inmates continues satisfactory, and the officers in charge of the various works and industries take a very intelligent interest in their duties. Instructingwarders, both in prisons and Borstals, are painstaking in their efforts to train inmates in their respective trades. Inmates of Borstal institutions are encouraged by the instructors to gain a thorough knowledge of any useful occupation which can be taught at the institution. The libraries at the various institutions have been examined from time to time, and the question of augmenting the supply of books discussed with the Superintendents. At the Invercargill institution the lads are permitted to go through the library and make their own selection. The number of books issued at the latter institution averaged 472 per week. The Superintendents of the larger institutions report that the books favoured by inmates are principally " Western " fiction and adventure stories, there being comparatively little demand for historical and other works of the earlier English authors. Nearly all inmates are readers, the proportion of non-readers being less than 5 per cent. The bookbinding plant at the Wellington Prison has been kept busy rebinding books received from public libraries for distribution amongst country institutions and camps. In spite of the large number of men who are now applying for employment in the Prison Service, a difficulty is still being experienced in procuring suitable candidates for the lower grades of the Service. The percentage of last year's applicants who were suitable for the work required of a Borstal institution officer is small, but as the work in these institutions becomes better known and appreciated more suitable candidates may offer themselves. Efficiency in the handling of prisoners can only be acquired by experience in prisons ; consequently applicants have to be tried out in a temporary capacity in order that their suitability may be tested. Candidates who appear suitable in every respect at the time of entering the Service are often found when placed in charge of parties of prisoners to be quite incapable of disciplining and handling the men. Those who show an aptitude for the work are given facilities to become efficient and useful officers. 1). A. Mackintosh, Inspector of Prisons.

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PRISONS AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS : EPITOME OF REPORTS OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS. Auckland Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. J. Dickison.) At the commencement of the year there were 379 males and 24 females in custody. During the year 1,623 males and 126 females were received, whilst 1,588 males and 106 females were discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving in the prison on the night of the 31st December, 1927, 414 males and 20 females. Eighteen habitual criminals (male), 10 male prisoners undergoing reformative detention, as well as 26 male prisoners serving terms of hard labour, were released during the year on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. I am again pleased to be in the position to report that there were no executions during the year. There were four deaths during the twelve months, all the deceased being male prisoners ; two died in the district hospital and two in the prison. The daily average on the sick-muster was —males, 8'93, and females nil. These figures show a pleasing reduction when compared with those for the previous year ; and considering that the daily average in custody has remained throughout the year in the vicinity of 400 prisoners, and further that quite a fair number are more or less infirm when received and require medical attention, whilst petty accident cases on the works are more or less inevitable, it will be conceded that the prison has been particularly immune from sickness during the period under review. The prison school, under the control of Mr. H. G. Johnston M.A., continues to produce excellent results. Mr. Johnston's report is attached. During the twelve months 115 breaches were dealt with by the various Visiting Justices, a reduction of 42 when compared with the figures for 1926. A number of minor breaches were dealt with by myself, and cautions, &c., administered where considered necessary. Evening drill has been continued under the instruction of the Drill Instructor; and there is no doubt that the prisoners participating in the exercises benefit considerably. The following is a brief resume of the various permanent improvements, &c:, effected during the year : — Improved cell-ventilation : This much-needed work was carried out in the north and east wings, north extension basement, and separate division, the results derived more than justifying the expenditure. Wooden floors and canvas stretchers, association cells : The execution of this work has greatly improved the comfort of the prisoners accommodated in the association cells at this prison. Drying-room, female division laundry : The installation of the equipment in the drying-room has produced excellent results. In the worst weather conditions it is now possible to have the prisoners' clothing thoroughly dried and ready within the required time. Female division, separate cell: The erection of this separate cell has provided for easier working conditions in the female division. Bakehouse : The erection and equipment of a bakehouse has resulted in our being able to obtain an output sufficient to satisfy the largest muster of prisoners in custody —at present 430. The class of bread produced has been quite up to the standard of that received previously under outside contract, and not a single complaint has been received over a period of two months' baking. What is more pleasing is the fact that the cost of the bread is below the outside contract price, with the result that in a little over two months the saving has been in the vicinity of £50. New crushing plant: The erection of an additional modern plant has practically been completed, and the crusher is now in commission. The provision of the extra plant will meet the call for certain classes of material which we have had difficulty in supplying in the past. Access from north extension to north wing : The opening made between the wing and extension has provided direct access to the exercise-yards. This is an improvement, as previously it was necessary for the prisoners in the extension to march right around the buildings to reach the exerciseyards. Roadmaking at Rarigitoto Island : A party of twenty prisoners, under the supervision of two officers, has been working continuously at Rangitoto since November, 1925. To date approximately three and a half miles of road, 20 ft. wide, has been formed ; 60 chains of same has been blinded to full width, whilst a further 94 chains has been blinded in the centre for a width of 10 ft. In addition a footpath 4 ft. wide has been formed for one mile. A commencement has now been made on levelling an area for a sports-ground. Industries.—Garden : This continues to be an asset to the institution, the quantity and quality of the output being excellent. As in previous years, the only purchase made in the outside markets has been that of potatoes. Bootmaking : This branch of the prison's industrial activities continues to furnish encellent results under the capable control of Principal Warder Lauder. Considering that a goodly percentage of the hands employed are learners the output is very satisfactory. Tailoring : This industry continues to be operated with results satisfactory to the Department. Here again a number of the prisoners employed are inexperienced, but in spite of this the output is satisfactory, and the demands of other Government Departments as well as our own are readily met. Repairs to mail and parcel bags : This industry is also carried on in the tailors' shop, and the whole of the demands of the Post and Telegraph Department are expeditiously handled with profit to this Department.

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Laundry and repair work (female) : With the exception of blankets, the whole of the laundering forTthe prison, and the repairs to socks, continues to be performed by the female division, and the small cost to the Department is a tribute to the capable control of the staff. In addition to the prison laundering, work for the police and the Department of Internal Affairs is executed with profit to this Department, whilst in the near future it is expected that articles from the Defence Department's centralization camp at Ngaruawahia will be forwarded for our handling. Laundry and repair work (male) : The washing of blankets, repairs to moleskins, shirts, &c., is executed by male labour, and here again the cost to the Department is comparatively small. It is expected in the near future to handle the laundering of several thousand blankets, kit-bags, &c., for the Defence Department, and the undertaking should prove profitable to this Department. Quarry : This, the major prison industry, continues to progress, and the detailed reports submitted periodically will enable the extent of the activities to be gauged. The sales have fallen below the standard for the previous few years, but it must be taken into consideration that for a few months only one crusher was working whilst additional plant was being installed. Then again, recently there was a considerable amount of price-cutting by outside commercial enterprises, with the result that our sales temporarily suffered a set-back. However, the recent revision of our price-list has met this exigency, and we should retain our clientele in spite of the keen competition still existing. The erection of the new crusher will meet all demands, and it only remains for us to continue to hold our orders to ensure future success. Entertainments. —Concerts have been held periodically, very fine programmes being arranged by the Rev. Jasper Calder, Messrs. J. Stewart and S. Falls, and other social workers interested in the welfare of the inmates. An innovation this year has been the lectures given under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association, which have proved most instructive and enjoyable. These entertainments are highly appreciated by the inmates, and are eagerly looked forward to as a welcome break in the monotony of prison life. The artistes at these entertainments have been greatly assisted by the erection of an excellent stage, provided by the Rev. Jasper Calder, and the thanks of the Department are due to the latter gentleman for this fine gift. Christmas Cheer.—The several organizations which in the past have provided additional comforts for the inmates at Christmas, again contributed freely, with the result that each individual received an ample and varied stock of " extras." Needless to say the sympathy displayed by these organizations in such a practical form is deeply appreciated by the prisoners Thanks.—The thanks of the Department are due to these various organizations interested in the welfare of the prisoners, more particularly to those representatives in close touch. Mention must be made, too, of the various religious denominations which arrange for services at the prison each Sunday throughout the year. I must also express appreciation of the services rendered by the Rev. E. C. Budd over such a long period of years. It is regretted that he has now severed active connection with the prison, for he has done excellent work, often at considerable self-sacrifice, and both prisoners and staff are indebted to him for many kindly actions throughout his long period of association with this institution. The conduct of the staff continues to be excellent. A high standard of discipline has been maintained throughout the past year, and consequently the various industrial activities, &c., have been carried on smoothly, and with profit to the Department, as shown by the results obtained from each branch. The number of prisoners in custody daily continues to average approximately four hundred, and it is necessary that the numerical strength of the staff remains as at present, so that adequate supervision can be given. Schoolmaster's Report on Work in Prison School. The roll number was maintained at 30, and a high average attendance enabled the work to go forward in a very satisfactory manner. A higher percentage of men than usual was placed in the upper classes, about fifteen doing work in English and arithmetic of Standard V and Standard VI. The subjects mentioned were treated broadly in accordance with the Education .Department's revised system of examination, and good use was made of typed copies of questions in arithmetic and English which required less actual written work and were in many respects well adapted to the needs of the men. The lower classes contained men who had had little education and with whom individual tuition was essential. These men displayed keenness and interest in their work. Indeed, throughout the school a fine working-spirit was evident, and I consider that a highly satisfactory year's work was done. In December four men elected to sit for their proficiency certificates, three being successful. Two received certificates of competency. While the syllabus for primary schools in English and arithmetic formed the basis of the work attempted, and although oral and written English, spelling, reading, and mental and written arithmetic received most attention, I found that the men looked forward to the topics which make appeal to the average intelligent man. I had no difficulty in arousing the interest of most of the men in a variety of subjects. Particularly in the warm weather, when they were not physically capable of sustained mental effort, did I find that the reading of a play, or a talk on China and the significance of events there, or a geography lesson, stimulated the men, who often gained knowledge which would serve to arouse interest and enable them to read the cablegrams with intelligence. It is impossible to enumerate the number of topics which have been dealt with during the year. They include literature (the reading of plays, of poems, of extracts), geography (local time, the international date line, the routes of airmen, eclipses, &c.), history (China, Japan, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, development of trial by jury), and many miscellaneous topics about which questions were asked.

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During the year I tested the whole school by means of the Haggerty reading test, the results corresponding in the main to the classification of the men. At the end of the year the annual examination was conducted. Most of the men did themselves credit, and on the results together with the working-spirit of the men the classification for 1928 was determined. The tone of the school has been excellent; the work has gone on smoothly, and the men have responded to all demands that were made on them ; and in this connection it must be remembered that the task of writing twelve lines of original English is to many of the men an arduous one. I have received invaluable support from the Assistant Schoolmaster, whose special duty has been the supervising of the work of the lower classes. His painstaking care has been the means of assisting many retardates to make marked progress in their elementary work. The services of the disciplinary officer in charge have resulted in the harmonious and pleasant relations that have existed in the schoolroom, disciplinary action being an almost unknown quantity. Hautu Prison (Land-development Camp), Tokaanu. (Officer in Charge, Mr. T. Banks.) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 33 males ; during the year 34 were received, 14 were discharged, and 6 were transferred to other institutions, leaving a total of 47 in custody at the 31st .December, being a daily average number of 36-23 prisoners in custody for the year. The health of the prisoners has been very good, there being only a few minor cases of sickness, such as colds, &c. The general conduct and industry of the prisoners have been very satisfactory. The majority of them take a keen interest in the farm-work, only three being punished for breach of regulations. In the course of the year an additional twenty single huts have been erected, allowing the bulk of the prisoners to have each a separate hut, which has been greatly appreciated by them. The huts are a marked improvement on the dormitory system. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been well attended to by the local ministers of the various denominations. The prison vegetable-garden has had a very successful year, considerably more vegetables being grown than were required for local requirements, the surplus being sent to other institutions, and also used for feeding live-stock. Owing to the increased development of land and the quantity of feed available, in addition to the farm cattle a line of ewes was purchased, in the nature of an experiment, and the results to date have exceeded all expectations. The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year : 570 acres stumped of tutu and manuka, and cleared of fern and burned ready for ploughing ; 432 acres were ploughed, 100 of which were sown down in temporary pasture, 250 sown down in temporary pasture and turnips, 80 in turnips, and 2 in potatoes ; in addition 170 acres of temporary pasture were disked, harrowed, and sown down in permanent pasture. Forest-trees consisting of ten thousand Pinus radiata were raised in the prison nursery for lining out in the coming autumn, and a further five thousand were planted in various parts of the farm for the purpose of shelter-belts. Two and a half miles of fencing has been erected, consisting of one mile of boundary-fence of four posts to the chain and seven wires, and one and a half miles of subdivision fencing of three posts to the chain and four wires. The conduct of the staff has been satisfactory. Napier Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. W. R. Cook.) At the commencement of the year there were 15 males and 1 female in custody ; during the year 251 were received and 238 discharged, leaving in custody at the end of the year 29 males, which shows an increase of 51 on the preceding year. This is accounted for by the abnormal depression of the labour-market during the year, and the fact that many came into this district almost penniless and resorted to petty offences. The chief industry is the quarrying of road-metal, the output being sold to the Napier Borough Council and private customers, the revenue of which was £309 10s. With the advent of a local reclamation scheme the output will no doubt increase. During the year a kitchen-garden was established with satisfactory results. Preparations have been made to enlarge it and to bring other portions of the property under cultivation, as this class of work is the most suitable for the class of prisoner retained here. The whole inside of the prison has been painted white, thus relieving the somewhat sombre appearance of the cells and corridors. The conduct of the prisoners has, on the whole, been good. During the year the social side of prison life has not been overlooked. Messrs. H. Hill, A. Pallot, J. P. Thompson, and J. Large have given short talks on interesting subjects that have been much appreciated. Through the generosity of the Hawke's Bay Travellers' Association (per Mr. Letham and Mr. Fox) a splendid dinner and tea was provided for the prisoners. A quantity of tobacco was given at Christmas time by Mr. Husheer. Two ladies provided each prisoner with a gift on New Year's Day. Divine service has been conducted every Sunday by the Church of England, and the Salvation Army Band has also visited periodically. The health of the prisoners has been good, only minor ailments such as colds, influenza, &c., receiving the attention of the medical officer. In concluding my report I must express my thanks to the many ladies and gentlemen who assist in matters pertaining to the welfare of the inmates when in prison and after they are released.

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New Plymouth Pkison. (Superintendent, Mr. W. Dineen.) The number of prisoners in confinement at the beginning of the year was 65 males and 1 female. The number received during the year was 141 males and 1 female ; 151 males and 2 females were discharged, transferred, or otherwise sent from this prison ; leaving a total of 65 males in custody at the end of the year. The daily average number of prisoners was 63-66, the greatest number at any one time being 74 males and 1 female, and the least number 54 males and 1 female. The general health of the prisoners has been good, there being very little serious illness. Two prisoners were sent to the public hospital one to be operated on for hernia, and one to have his appendix removed. Most of the minor illnesses here are the result of the depressed mental attitude of the prisoners, the depression being caused to a great extent by their own unfortunate practices. Some of the victims of these demoralizing habits have been brought to realize the utter folly of their ways, but are unable to conquer it. A desire to assist them to do so was the chief reason for asking the public of this town to donate a wireless set for the use of the prisoners. The set has been in use during the year under review, and has proved very beneficial. The chief benefit is derived from the fact that its use makes it possible to keep the majority of the men mentally employed and out of their cells for many non-working hours. It gives fresh and up-to-date topics of conversation, and generally helps to dispel that feeling of mental depression which is so detrimental to a prisoner of this class. With the same object in view another innovation during the year, which you were good enough to sanction, was the forming of what we call a " Christian study circle." The circle is practically managed by a committee elected by the prisoners from among themselves. A meeting of the members of the circle is held at least one evening per week, and may be attended by any prisoner. Lectures are given sometimes by outsiders, but in most cases by the prisoners themselves. The lectures given by prisoners during the year have covered a variety of subjects. Biography, description of places where the lecturers have lived, music, and descriptions of different occupations, &c. In most cases a great deal of time and thought and searching through books for assistance have been given to the preparation of these papers and lectures, and it all tends to improve the mentality of the lecturer as well as the prisoners who form the audience. Recently the members of the circle were asked to give at one of these meetings their individual opinions of the result of the " wireless and study-circle evenings." Many of the papers prepared by the prisoners for this particular evening have been forwarded to the Department as an indication of what the men are capable of doing. We are deeply indebted to those gentlemen who have made sacrifices to come along and give us assistance at the evening meetings. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been assiduously cared for by the different denominations. Divine services have been held on each Sunday. Owing to the homo-sexual proclivities of of the prisoners detained here it is absolutely necessary that they be kept under constant observation during the periods of the day when they have to intermingle with one another, and, as the configuration of the quarry particularly lends itself to this end, the majority of the men have been kept employed there during the year. While it may be said that the cash returns (£1,134 18s. 9d.) do not give adequate return for the labour expended, it must be remembered that there is a considerable amount of stripping to be removed before saleable material is reached. The suitability of the position for the class of labour employed and the small capital expenditure required to carry on the work somewhat compensates for the lower returns, more especially if the possible reformation of the prisoners is taken into account. As in previous years, some men who are considered suitable have been employed in the prison garden. In addition to supplying all the wants of the institution in the vegetable line, a surplus to the cash value of £95 ss. has been sold by auction. Refuse from the garden and kitchen have been utilized in feeding young pigs, from the sale of which £43 lis. 9d. was obtained. Rations supplied by contractors have been satisfactory as to quantity and quality. The conduct of the staff has been exemplary. Considering the mentality of the prisoners the general conduct has been good. There are a number of men here of subnormal mentality, and others of average intelligence but of a highly nervous temperament, who at times are extremely difficult to control; and although, speaking strictly, in the terms of the Prison Regulations some of these men appear to qualify for punishment, one finds at times, all circumstances being considered, it is best to try and reason them out of their error. There were no escapes or attempted escapes during the year. Papabua Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. W. T. Leggett.) At the beginning of the year there were 146 males in custody ; during the year 551 were received and 527 discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving 170 males in custody at the end of the year. The greatest number in custody at any one time was 179 and least 124 (males). The daily average in custody throughout the year was 144-63 males. The health of the prisoners generally has been good, few cases of illness occurring. There were three males transferred to, a mental hospital during the year, these being cases of mental disorder on reception. Five males were sent to the Christchurch Hospital for treatment during the vear, and in one of these cases death resulted from an old-standing kidney-disease. One case remained in hospital at the end of the year suffering from rheumatoid arthritis contracted prior to reception into prison. There was also one suicide by hanging during the year, and no indication was evidenced that such an act was contemplated.

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There were five escapes or attempted escapes during the year, two prisoners effecting their escape from the gravel-workings, another absconding from the public hospital while under treatment for old ear trouble, one escaping from an escort proceeding to Auckland during the transhipping, owing to a slip on the Main Trunk line, and the other being a get-away from one of the farm parties. Two of the escapees from the institution were promptly recaptured. The conduct of the prisoners generally has been good, there being twenty-three minor breaches of the regulations requiring to be dealt with by the Visiting Justices. The food-supplies have been of excellent quality, with ample fresh vegetables supplied from the prison garden. The meat ration has been supplied from our own farm, and has been of excellent quality. The industry of the prisoners has been good, and the various works now readily absorb all available labour. The most important work performed during the year has been general farm-work, road-formation, garden, poultry-raising, erection of buildings and yards. The new industry begun during the year in the washing of gravel and sand has given satisfactory results' financially, and provided suitable employment for surplus labour and those prisoners requiring closer supervision. The farming section has been worked to advantage during the year and in most instances with satisfactory yields. As previously, the sheep section is the most important factor, and the raising of early fat lambs for market has been most satisfactory. In this connection all the principal prizes for fat lambs at the 1927 Royal Show were annexed by the Paparua Prison Farm. The Farm Manager is to be congratulated on these very fine exhibits, which demonstrated to the farmers generally the value of artificial feeding, whereby at a small outlay not exceeding Is. 3d. per head for artificial feed a highly profitable return is received. In the agricultural section of the farm good results were obtained from the peas, wheat, and other cereal crops ; also there was a fair yield of potatoes, sufficient to supply the needs of several of our northern institutions, the surplus being sent to other Government Departments. Shelter-belts and replacements to existing belts, utilizing 15,370 Pinus insignis, 1,430 Cupressus• macrocarpa, 1,780 privets, 350 poplars, and 350 assorted shrubs, have been planted. All the trees were raised in the institutional nursery. Additional facilities have been provided in the Administrative Block for the visits to prisoners by the friends with a greater degree of privacy. The exercise-yards are now nearing completion, facilitating the classification of prisoners and providing convenient space as a parade-ground. The various yards have also been linked up with a surface drainage. The spiritual welfare of the men has been again well looked after by the clergymen of the various denominations, also the evening mission service has been held periodically. The social welfare of the prisoners has again been excellently arranged for by the organizers, especially the Workers' Educational Association classes, held weekly during the winter months ; illustrated monthly lectures under the auspices of the Rotary Club ; also monthly concerts arranged by Mrs. Holmes. Mrs. Holmes also by voluntary effort ha.s replaced the old institutional piano with a new Broadwood instrument. The piano is much appreciated by the men. The educational side of the institution has been well maintained, and the school is now fully equipped with individual desks, considerably facilitating this work. A special report from Mr. W. 0. Gilmour, Schoolmaster, is appended. Frequent visits have been made by the Rev. P. Revell, Prisoners' Aid Society representative, and Major Haines, of the Salvation Army, giving help and advice as required to the prisoners on discharge, and considerable assistance has been rendered in needy cases. Our thanks are due to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Richmond Mission, the Rev. F. R. Rawle, and others who generously provided Christmas cheer for all prisoners. I am again pleased to report that the officers have performed their duties satisfactorily, and by tact and judgment have maintained an excellent standard of discipline and industry. Paparua Prison School: Report of Schoolmaster. The programme of work included English, composition, arithmetic, geography, spelling, and for those who were advanced enough, a course in book-keeping. A feature of the class is the wide range of attainments—from preparatory school to post-primary work. In some cases the men could neither read nor write, and although progress with these was slow, considerable improvement was noticeable at the end of the year. In most cases much of what was learned at school has been forgotten, and the opportunity to renew acquaintance with the subjects is readily seized. Throughout the year monthly debates on suitable topics were held. These provided a break in the ordinary work, and at the same time gave instruction and opportunity for oral expression. From the point of view of the Schoolmaster, a hindrance to progress —unavoidable, of course— is the changing personnel of the classes : some of them, owing to expiry of sentences and the exigencies of the prison management, do not remain long enough to make much advance in educational status. This constant changing makes it difficult to keep them in classes, and makes necessary much individual teaching. The discipline at all times was all that could be desired, and the keenness displayed made the work of teaching quite a pleasure. The new commodious schoolroom, provided with an up-to-date heating-system and individual desks, by attending to the comfort of the men has greatly aided the work. In conclusion I wish to thank all the officers of the prison for their valuable help readily given, and for the courtesy shown to me throughout the year.

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Waikune Prison (Road Contracting Camp), Erua. (Officer in Charge, Mr. H. W. Glynn.) There were 84 prisoners in custody at this prison at the beginning of the year, and a further 56 prisoners were received from other institutions. The discharges, &c., were as follows : 30 men were released on expiration of sentence, 12 men were released on the recommendation of the Prisons Board, 30 men were transferred to other institutions, while 2 men escaped —leaving a total of 74 prisoners in custody at the end of the year. The general health of the prisoners has been quite satisfactory. Two cases called for urgent medical attention during the year, and in each case it was found necessary to transfer the prisoner to Taumarunui Public Hospital for treatment. After a short stay in hospital both prisoners were returned to prison fully recovered. The conduct of the men has been quite satisfactory. The few cases dealt with were for minor breaches of discipline. The spiritual welfare of the men was well cared for by the ministers of the various denominations. The industrial side of this institution has progressed in a satisfactory manner. During the year a further 3 miles 60 chains of the Waimarino-Ohakune Road was formed and metalled in the region of Makatote Viaduct and the Maunganui-au-te-au Stream. Several culverts of substantial dimensions were constructed in the area, and the bridge over the Manganui Stream was considerably strengthened. A new bridge was also built at peg 10 m. 36 ch. At that point it was necessary to divert the stream. Although our operations on this road were carried out in what might be termed difficult country, I think the ultimate results will be quite satisfactory. Our activities on this road have now reached such a stage that transferring the Makatote Camp to nearer Horopito is undoubtedly essential for economic reasons. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, has selected a suitable campsite, and arrangements are in hand to have the buildings at Makatote removed to the new camp-site. As in past years, general maintenance work has been carried out on the Waimarino-Tokaanu Road. A certain portion of this road has caused a good deal of trouble, more especially during the winter months. During the year just ended the portion of road in question was gravelled, and it is anticipated that the trouble will now be eliminated. The formation and metalling of Bruce Road was completed during the year. The members of the Park Board speak in high terms of the work performed by the Prisons Department on the Bruce Road. The motor-transport line continues to extend, and during the year heavy consignments of manure, seeds, &c., were transported from National Park Station to the prison farms in the Tokaanu district. A fair amount of cartage was also performed for other Government Departments. Wanganui Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. E. Ching.) During the year there were received from all sources 178 males and 10 females, a total of 188 prisoners, being an increase of 16 males and 2 females over last year's figures. During the year employment has been found for those able to do a little in the grounds, laundry cleaning, &e. A kitchen-garden has been started, and considering the nature of the ground it has done very well, and a very good supply of vegetables has been obtained. Work has also been done in the ornamental portion of the grounds, which have been very favourably commented on. The rations supplied by the various contractors have been of the best, and no complaints have been made by the prisoners either as to quality or quantity. All rations are examined by the Medical Officer on his visits to the prison ; likewise the Medical Officer inspects every portion of the building, sanitary arrangements, &c., at the same time. The health of the prisoners has been very good. The conduct of the men on the whole has been very good, there being but three men punished for minor offences. The buildings are all in first-class condition, and no repairs will be wanted for some years to come. I desire to thank the many religious bodies for holding service at the prison, Protestant service being held every Sunday morning and the Roman Catholic in the afternoon. Our thanks are also due to the Rev. J. Patterson and his band of helpers for a first-class tea given to the men on Christmas evening. It is needless to say the tea was very much appreciated by the old men. The Cosmopolitan Club sent a parcel of tobacco for the men at Christmas, and later a fine collection of books from their library. The Church of England friends also sent a gift of tobacco for the men. Rangipo Prison (Land-development Camp), Tokaanu. (Officer in Charge, Mr. A. Banks.) There were in custody at the commencement of the year 18 male prisoners ; during the year 23 were received, 18 were discharged or transferred, leaving in custody at the end of the year 23 male prisoners. The main employment of the prisoners is clearing and the breaking-in of virgin country. During the year 350 acres were cleared of tutu, manuka, and fern, and burnt off in preparation for the ploughing; 300 acres were ploughed, disked, and harrowed, and sown down in temporary pasture ; 70 chains of subdividing fences of three posts to the chain and eight wires, and 140 chains of fencing of two posts to the chain and four wires were erected for the protection of shelter-belts ; five thousand young pines received from Waikeria Borstal were planted out for future shelter-belts. We have sixty thousand young trees lined out in our own nursery for planting out in the coming winter. A road has been formed to the bush, from which it is our intention to split posts for our own requirements. The following buildings were erected during the year : Stable, implement-shed, and laundry.

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The conduct and industry of the prisoners, on the whole, has been very satisfactory. Two prisoners escaped during the year, but were recaptured three days later. The officers have carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners was attended to by the Rev. J. Gr. Laughton, of Taupo, and the Rev. Father Langerwerf, of Tokaanu. Wellington Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. J. Down.) There were in custody at the commencement of the year 125 males ; during the year 968 males were received and 965 were discharged, leaving in custody at the 31st December 128 males. Of those discharged 537 were on expiration or remission of hard-labour sentence, 3 reformative detention, 4 simple imprisonment, 13 on bail or probation, and 1 death. Those released on recommendation of the Prisons Board were as follows : Hard labour, 6 ; reformative detention, 13 ; habitual criminal, 1. Twenty-seven debtors were also released, and 353 prisoners were transferred to other prisons or to the police. Two prisoners were committed to the mental hospital. The health of the prisoners, on the whole, has been good , but I would point out that a large number were transferred to the public hospital. In some cases they were transferred from Wi Tako Prison to the Terrace for admission to the hospital, and there was one case from Waikeria Reformatory. In most instances the men were practically hospital cases when received into prison. The fact that four of these men had to be recommitted to the hospital on two occasions shows the condition they were in. The conduct and industry of the prisoners has been exceptionally good. There was one aggravated prison offence, but it was afterwards discovered that the offender was a mental case, and he was committed to the mental hospital. Minor breaches of the regulations were dealt with by the Superintendent and Visiting Justices. The food-supply has been good, and no complaints of any importance have been made by the prisoners with regard to quality or quantity. The bread is baked at No. 2 Prison for that prison, and also for the Terrace and the Borstal Institution, and is of excellent quality. The social side of prison life has not been overlooked. Several concerts were given during the year. The Presbyterian Social Service Club provided Christmas cheer, and we are indebted to Mr. Norman Aitken and his party for a splendid concert, and to the Bristol Piano Co. for the loan of the piano. We also wish to thank Messrs. Salek, Townsend, Burch, and the Justices Association for their donations, with which eatables and tobacco were provided. The men thoroughly appreciated the generosity thus shown them. Divine service has been conducted by several denominations throughout the year—viz., Presbyterian Ministers' Association, Church of England, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Roman Catholic Church, and the Seventh-day Adventists. The services were held at both the Terrace and No. 2 Prisons. To Mr. Mills, of the Prisoners' Aid Society, and others, we are indebted for their generosity and assistance to the prisoners in procuring work and supplying clothing for them on their discharge from prison. The demolition of the Terrace Prison has been held up until such time as we can have secure yards available at No. 2 Prison. This should not be long now, as that section of the work is at present in hand. Wellington No. 2 Prison. —The main building, consisting of the East Wing, the West Wing, and the Kitchen Block, is now completed except for some small details. The gardens have been extended, and an abundance of vegetables is grown. A large area of potatoes has been planted. The garden at the Terrace has also provided a large supply of vegetables for use in the prison, the surplus being sold in the markets. The conduct of the staff has been good, and they have at all times assisted me by the interest and willingness they show in carrying out their duties. The Visiting Justices have made numerous visits to both prisons during the year, and have expressed satisfaction with the management of the prison and the treatment of the prisoners. Wi Tako Prison, Trentham. (Superintendent, Mr. D. Blain.) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 35 hard-labour, 31 reformative-detention prisoners, and 1 habitual criminal —total, 67 male prisoners ; 100 prisoners were received during the year, and 33 hard-labour and 3 reformative-detention prisoners were discharged at expiration of sentence ; 14 hard-labour and 13 reformative-detention prisoners were released on the recommendation of the Prisons Board, and 30 were transferred to other prisons, leaving 74 in custody on the 31st December, 1927. One prisoner escaped during the year, but was recaptured after two days. The general conduct and industry of the prisoners have been very satisfactory. The health of the prisoners has been exceptionally good. All available labour has been used for the development of the farm and garden. Twenty acres of swamp area which had previously been drained and cleared of large root-stumps and blackberry was dug over twice, 5 acres being trenched 20 in. deep ; 10 acres were sown in mangolds, 3 acres in swedes, and 3 acres in potatoes. A further block of about 5 acres on the higher ground has also been felled of scrub and tea-tree, the latter being used for firewood for this prison, and also for providing supplies for the Wellington prisons. The drainage system has been improved upon, 56 chains

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of new drains having been added, and the old drains kept periodically cleaned. Great benefit has been derived from this work, as the swamp area, even after heavy rains, is now practically immune from the sodden condition which previously prevailed. During the year 284 lambing-ewes were bought, and the lamb percentage was 78. Shearing operations were proceeded with, and resulted in a total weight of 1 ton 1 qr. 16 lb. of wool. This will be sold in due course. A number of fat stock were sold to good advantage, seventy-five lambs realizing £1 ss. each, and ten prime bullocks £10 10s: each. Eleven porkers which were bred on the estate were also sold to good advantage, the price obtained totalling £28 13s. 4d. A slaughterhouse and meat-storage house have been built, and for some months the meat required for prisoners' rations has been killed from store cattle bought for the purpose. The hides have been sold for a good price, and a good saving has been effected in this manner in the meat ration. For purposes of fattening stock, two extensive grass-paddocks have been cleared, and a further area of 12 acres sown in grass. The Fordson tractor purchased is proving a success, as it facilitates the carrying-out of certain classes of work under adverse circumstances, which would otherwise have to be left. The hay which was cut and stacked last year has been a great acquisition, as it enabled stock to be kept in good condition when green feed was at a minimum. Supplies were also despatched to Point Halswell Borstal Institution for use during the winter months. Some acres have been sown in vegetables, and a further area is being brought into line, and will shortly be available for cultivation. Owing to the inclement weather conditions existing at the commencement of the season the crops were somewhat retarded, but are now making satisfactory progress under good weather conditions. Considerable quantities of vegetables were despatched to Wellington for sale by auction during the year, and the revenue derived from the sales amounted to £55 18s. 7d. Further supplies were also delivered to the Trentham Military Camp, and consignments forwarded to other institutions. A further development in the way of gardening is being carried out on a section between the hills at the back of the prison. A number of good-conduct men have cleared and cultivated a large portion of the section in their spare time. This extra freedom allowed is greatly appreciated by the men, and is proving beneficial both mentally and physically to them. The soil is very good, and as good crops can be obtained from this garden the work done will prove a good asset. The Defence property acquired under lease to this Department has been attended to in accordance with the agreement, and any damage done by stock has been repaired. 101 chains of subdividing fence has been erected. The b'ock of 12 acres which comprised the old garden area, and which was taken over by the Defence Department last year, has been ploughed and sown in permanent pasture. This is now being used for grazing purposes. The new building at the prison was completed in the early part of the year, and the two cell ranges extended so as to give extra accommodation for sixteen men. Brick walls with gates have been built on the front and west corner of the prison yard. The breadmaking for the prison has been continued, ancl large quantites of bread were supplied to the Trentham Military Camp throughout the year. It is with much regret that we record the death of the Rev. James Holmes, who for some years took a very active and keen interest in the welfare of the inmates of this institution, and by his kindly and courteous manner gained the respect of officers and men alike. We are indebted to the following gentlemen —the Rev. Mr. Kendrick, Rev. Father Kelly, the Salvation Army officers, and Mr. Chappell, of the Y.M.C.A., Trentham —for conducting Divine service for the various denominations throughout the year. We are also further indebted to Mr. Chappell for providing Christmas cheer for the benefit of the inmates. A moving-picture machine has been installed by the Y.M.C.A., and regular entertainments are provided through the kindness of Mr. Chappell in conjunction with the Y.M.C.A. operator, Mr. Power. These entertainments are much appreciated by the men. Prison for Women, Addincton Reformatory Prison. (Superintendent, Miss E. Hunt.) At the beginning of the year there were 24 inmates in custody ; 78 were discharged during the year; 55 were discharged on the expiration of sentence, and 1 was released on the recommendation of the Prisons Board ; 11 were released on probation or transferred to other institutions, leaving a total of 29 inmates in residence at the end of the year. The laundry has been enlarged and an up-to-date drying-room has been erected, so that the whole of the Defence laundry washing can be done here, which will keep the inmates well employed for eight months in the year. This class of work is most suitable for these inmates, and as time goes on I hope to get a well-established laundry and be able to do the whole of the Government laundry work in Christchurch. The work of the inmates consists of sewing, gardening, milking, feeding poultry, general housework and laundering. Eight women admitted were mentally deficient. Four of these were afterwards sent to the local Mental Hospital. Concerts and entertainments have been provided throughout the year. " High teas " have been given on holidays by the Official Visitors and social workers. A good supply of books and magazines has been maintained, also clothing for the inmates on discharge. The radio has been, a great assistance to the inmates, particularly during the summer. It is especially useful and interesting to those who cannot read or sew and have no idea of employing their spare time. Religious services are held regularly by the Rev. P. Revell, Father McEwan, Salvation Army, and Sisters of the Mission, which means that every inmate is given an opportunity to attend a religious service once every week.

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Borstal Institutions. Invercargill Borstal Institution for Lads. (Superintendent, Mr. C. G. L. Pollock.) At the beginning of the year there were 210 male inmates in custody, 199 of whom were Borstal inmates and 11 inmates of the Reformatory for Men. During the year 152 were received into the Borstal Institution and 107 discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving 244 in custody at the 31st December, 1927 ; 87 males and 3 females were received into the prison, and 88 males and three females were discharged, leaving 10 male inmates in the Reformatory for Men at the end of the year. Eighty-seven Borstal inmates were released on the recommendation of the Parole Board, and three on expiration of sentence. The total daily average of inmates in custody was 228-12 in the Borstal Institution, and 6-06 in the Reformatory. The conduct and industry of the inmates have been very good, and there were no escapes during the year. Eight Borstal inmates were admitted to the public hospital, mostly for operative treatment; two of these were in hospital for eighty days and sixty days respectively, the remainder for periods from eleven days up to twenty-nine days. Apart from this there has been a marked improvement in the health of the inmates. This it is thought can be attributed to the improvement in the dietary. School classes have been held regularly throughout the year, and work of sound merit has been accomplished by the three specially appointed visiting teachers. The results have been enhanced by the ready response of the pupils, and the good tone prevailing in each class. But the limited time allotted for school-work limits also its usefulness, and the need for extending its scope is becoming manifest. On Saturday mornings two special classes are held by Mr. T. Matthews, Agricultural Instructor under the Southland Education Boa.rd. One is for instruction in wool-classing, for which there was erected a building designed and equipped on the model of an up-to-date wool-shed. The other takes up agricultural science from both the theoretical and practical standpoint. For the latter purpose a selected area of about an acre has been set aside, in which are grown the various vegetables, grasses, clovers, and root crops. In all these sowings, experimental value is gained by marking off plots in which different manures have been used, the compara.tive yields in the case of each variety of crop being recorded. In order to encourage the students who take up this course, the trustees in the estate of the late Reginald McKinnon have awarded two special book prizes, of value £1 and 10s. respectively, for the highest points gained in the agricultural class. Mr. Matthews's work is voluntary, and the institution is greatly indebted to him for his valuable services ungrudgingly given. The technical classes in bricklaying, signwriting, and carpentry furnished practical evidence of their efficiency. From them came the skilled labour which did all the block-laying and plastering of the new wing, and which constructed on approved lines all the furniture required. Training that proves itself in such shape cannot but help its subjects to a place in. the industrial world, and so safeguard them from drifting. The Borstal Band, under Mr. Wills, continues its successful career, to the benefit of the performers and the institution. The unavoidably frequent changes of membership render it difficult to keep this band up to standard, but it rises superior to this handicap. Great importance is now attached to the physical training of our lads. Undoubtedly they show marked improvement of physique, and this is partly due to the graduated course of Swedish drill exercises in which Mr. Page gives effective instruction throughout the year. Whenever called upon, the senior class, which represents high proficiency in this* form of culture, has been able to give a very fine display. But games, because of their moral and social reactions as well as their physical benefits, have a strong claim to a place in our educational scheme. They have been organized so that, when weather permits, every Saturday afternoon, on holidays, and in the evenings, every one is able to join in some form of sport. Under the capable direction of Mr. W. F. Sutton, who has given his services as coach every Saturday afternoon and at other times during the week, our Rugby football team has become a credit to the institution. This led to a new departure of far-reaching importance in the form of visits from outside teams, which meet our boys in the institution grounds. The opening match, played against the Southland Boys' High School, proved a great success, and augured well for future contests. The visitors declared that their opponents in this instance had played the game in every sense of the phrase ; that, in fact, the spirit of the match was similar to that which obtains when rival colleges meet—keen rivalry, a hard, fast game, fair and sportsmanlike play. Other visiting teams were Marists, Star, Invercargill, Pirates, Technical College. The aggregate points for the season stood in favour of the Borstal team, which in every match extended its opponents' playingpowers to the utmost. The executive of the Southland Rugby Union has given every assistance and encouragement, and arrangements have been made for the Borstal team to enter the competitions of the coming season. When football closed for the year cricket was taken up with a zest, which will be increased when the kindly offered visits from outside teams put our players on their mettle. Tennis, now fully provided for, is proving an exhilarating pastime, and here, too, friendly matches with visitors would be welcomed. A distinct impetus is lent to our recreative activities by such visits. More than that, they advance the Borstal another step nearer to its aim of being a recognized part of the educational rather than of the penal system. When its boys can meet on the playing-field their contemporaries from without and spend with them a pleasant time in friendly emulation on a common footing, the delicate service is rendered of getting these boys in touch with normal society again. A hopeful breach is made in that intangible barrier which, to them at any rate, seemed to cut them off from the fellowship of decent citizens.

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The Association Class is fulfilling its good promise of becoming a vital internal factor in the progress of the institution. Accordingly its membership has been largely increased, and its government based more fully on the honour system. From the rising-hour till the retiring-hour the lads of the class have their room-doors left unlocked. In their dining-room no officer is present, the keeping of order being in the hands of their prefects. After each meal they are free to retire to their own rooms, or to proceed to the recreation-room without restriction. Further, for purposes of assisting the officers and of exercising self-government the class elects a committee of six, of whom one acts as chairman. This committee looks after the arrangements and the progammes for the entertainments held on all Saturday nights and on other occasions. A responsible part of its functions is to assist in maintaining discipline among the class members and seeing that the institution rules are implicitly observed. Minor breaches are dealt with by the committee, the decision in each case being recorded and submitted to the Superintendent for confirmation. There is reason to believe that these administrative developments are on sound lines. An increasing measure of good will and interest towards our aims is manifested, and the general tone of the institution is raised. Even outside the Association Class membership this loyal attitude is evidenced in practical form. For example, when it was decided to proceed with the erection of a new wing, it became necessary to have as soon as possible a supply of building-material in the form of concrete blocks. A party of eight, specially trained by the foreman builder, was set the task, and these lads, working without other supervision than a brief daily visit, turned out some fifteen thousand concrete blocks in three and a half months. A second contingent, directly employed on the new building, worked double shifts, carrying on after the usual working-hours, and giving the best proof that the presence of a supervising officer would have been superfluous. The excellent progress made with the whole undertaking is mainly due to the interest which all the workers have shown in the tasks entrusted to them. The summer camp was looked forward to with lively expectancy, arising from the impressions left by the outing of the previous summer. On that occasion the Association Class of forty had revelled in ten days of camping out; this Christmas and New Year holiday period there were sixty who had earned the coveted privilege. They pitched their tents on the spot formerly occupied, in the shelter of a fir grove, with the broad Oreti River flowing past. In front an open, grassy area offered an ample arena for athletics ; beyond this sward lay stretches of native bush ; and the Foveaux Strait beach was within easy access. Our resources were reinforced on a generous scale by the Y.M.C.A., which sent us from Wellington a large marquee to form an assembly and entertainment hall, a moving-picture plant with a sufficient supply of films, and, above all, its National Secretary, Mr. R. M. Brasted, whose vivid personality was a felt influence in the camp during the whole period. His experience of young men and of their camps, his tact, enthusiasm, and versatility, qualified him to organize and inspire the activities and entertainments of the camp. He did all that with tireless energy, and, moreover, got into personal touch with the individuals of the company. The impression he left is such that, in future, the Y.M.C.A. will represent to the campers a friendly agency that is glad to help them, and that may be of specially useful service when they are free to take their place again in the general community. Thoughtful kindness from other quarters claims our grateful acknowledgment: the radio set lent by Mr. Hazeldine gave exceptionally clear transmission, and the New Year programme of films proved a treat. The twelve days' encampment did not contain one vacant, listless, hour. The diversions and the interests were manifold : one and all entered into them with zest. On visitors' day, when sports were held, the entries for the running events alone totalled 480. While the utmost freedom was permitted, none attempted to abuse their liberties. The few camp rules were cheerfully respected, the orderly duties cheerfully and well performed. On New Year's Eve a gathering round a huge bonfire reflected the good will and comradely sentiments fostered by the conditions under which the days were being spent, and the opportunity was taken by those in charge to give the lads a message in season. The whole outing brought to the fore the best that was in them. It was not merely a time of amusement: the moral values of it are not to be gainsaid. It created an atmosphere in which the springs of conduct can best be reached, in which influences towards a self-respecting life are most likely to find their mark. The Invercargill Rotary Club continues to take practical interest in Borstal work. Every Thursday evening the Kiwi Club, as the Association Class is designated for such occasions, meets under the auspices of Rotarians, one of whom, as chairman, conducts the meeting on lines similar to Rotary. Usually the proceedings are opened by community singing, after which the visitors discourse on subjects of interest such as travel, adventure, inventions, literature. Rotary night, combining instruction and entertainment, and closing with a " parting thought" given by the chairman, is greatly appreciated. In addition to the regular Saturday evening concerts provided by the boys themselves, we have had some admirable entertainments given by the musical fraternity of Invercargill, including the bands. Visiting lecturers have likewise been laid under tribute to good purpose. Thanks are due to Mr. H. B. Farnall, librarian of the Public Library, for classifying the Borstal library and putting it on a basis which will make its contents readily accessible to the readers. All the books have been removed from locked cupboards and arranged on open shelves. Each lad has his own library card, and is permitted to come along and make his own selection of reading-matter. During the year several liberal donations of books have greatly added to the value of our collection. The spiritual side of education is not neglected. Services are conducted each Sunday by ministers of the various denominations, and by the City Missionary, Mr. A. McLean, who also holds service at the Ranch on Sunday afternoons. A special service is held by the Salvation Army on the last Sunday afternoon of each month. Bible classes are held every week, the leaders being the Rev. C. J. Tocker, the Rev. J. A. Lush, and Mr. McLean.

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The Visiting Committee, which has met regularly during the year, continues its beneficial efforts on behalf of the inmates of the institution. We have now, in addition, an unofficial ladies' committee, members of which have kindly undertaken to visit our sick boys in the public hospital and also in the sick ward of the institution. The visits of these women —mothers with boys of their own —have been a helpful influence. To parents living at a distance and unable to visit Invercargill it has been a source of comfort to know that in time of illness their boys do not lack friendly sympathy ; and in this connection many letters of grateful appreciation have been received. Lastly, the givers who remembered the Borstal at Christmas and New Year have our best thanks. The tables at the festival season were laden with bounties received from the ladies of Invercargill, Prisoners' Aid Society, and friends and relatives in other parts of the Dominion. The Invercargill Rotary Club, Messrs. W. D. and H. 0. Wills, Ltd., and the New Zealand Tobacco Co., provided a liberal supply of cigarettes and tobacco. In conclusion I desire to thank the staff for their assistance and support throughout the year. The following works were carried out during the year : The gravelling of Oreti Road and Third and Fourth Avenues was completed early in the year in terms of Rhodes's contract, the fine weather experienced allowing rapid progress to be made. Spey Street, on the western side of the estuary from the flood-gates, for a distance of 96 chains extending to No. 2 dairy, has been formed ; 13 chains of the road have been gravelled. The formation of this street entailed a considerable amount of work, a very large quantity of earth having to be trucked to bring it to the required level. Repairs to the flood-gates at Spey Street, which were commenced at the end of last year, were completed. A road 14 chains in length running parallel with the western wall between Spey Street and the Main Farm Road was formed and gravelled. A commodious and well-lighted shed for conducting classes in wool-classing was built between the experimental area and the back of the institution cottages. The tramway from the farm bridge to the railway-line was relaid and ballasted. The institution and the Farm Ranch were painted and renovated generally throughout. For the purpose of providing additional accommodation for forty inmates a commencement was made with the erection of an additional story to the south wing of the institution. Excellent progress has been made with the erection of the building, and the forty cubicles will be ready for occupation early in the new year. The furniture required for the new building, consisting of tables, bedsteads, wire mattresses, chairs, and pedestals, is being made in the institution workshop, and a large portion of it has already been completed. The farm bridge, which was becoming very much worn, was thoroughly overhauled and repaired, and the approaches to the bridge were widened. Piles for repairing the bridge were cut at Bushy Point and brought up by the institution lighter. The blacksmiths were kept very busy with all smithy work required bv the institution and farm, including smithy work required in connection with the additions to the south wing and farm bridge. Work on the experimental area was continued, and. it was thoroughly cleaned of couch-grass. The plot was cultivated, and in addition to its educational value it helped considerably to provide for the institution when vegetables were scarce. Sufficient vegetables were grown in the farm garden to provide rations for the inmates for the greater part of the year. It is hoped this year to have green vegetables all the year round. An additional acre of ground has been cultivated with that object in view. Dredging operations were continued during the year on the northern side of the farm bridge, and good progress has been made. With the spoil obtained, 30 acres have been levelled off, and portions sown down in grass. The dredge is now operating immediately south of the farm bridge, and continues to do good work ; 19 acres in this area are being filled in with the spoil recovered. A large amount of gravel was obtained by the dredge and used in repairs to farm roads. Bootmaking is being carried on as usual with satisfactory results, fairly large orders being fulfilled for the Mental Hospitals Department and the Education Department, in addition to the requirements of this institution and Paparua Prison. Work in the tailor's shop is confined to repairs of inmates clothing. Several inmates have kept the institution grounds and lawns in order. Breadmaking carried on at the institution continues to show satisfactory results. Institution Farm Report. Dairy-farming continues to be our principal industry, and hand milking is still being carried on with satisfactory results. Eighty cows were housed and milked during the winter, and the milk sold for town supply, principally to the Invercargill Milk-supply Co. Approximately 180 cows calved in the spring, and this number is now being milked. Every effort is being made to improve the herd, and with this end in view a further four pedigree Friesian cows and heifers were purchased during the vear, and a complete system of herd-testing has been arranged for, and will be put into operation early in the current year. A fine crop of hay was saved in excellent condition, and with a plentiful supply of turnips, ample winter feed was available for the cattle. Over 112 per cent, of lambs were obtained from the ewes. The shearing was done in December, the wool being very clean, but a little light in weight owing to the wet season and the absence of heat. The pigs have done very well during the year, and a large number of fat pigs have been disposed of. Unfortunately, the prices ruling for them at present are very low. Thirty acres of oats were harvested, yielding about 65 tons of chaff, which was all required for fodder on* the farm ; 32 acres have been sown in oats this year, and a splendid crop is anticipated. The potato crop was not so good as expected owing to the very wet season and severe frosts. Cattle from the farm were killed for rations throughout the year, thus doing away with the previous necessity of purchasing frozen meat during the winter. Approximately two hundred head of cattle and one hundred sheep were killed for rations during the year.

4—H. 20.

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A further 19 acres on the reclaimed land was sown down in grass during the year, and gives promise of being a good pasture. Eight acres of new land on Rhodes's leasehold property were stumped and ploughed in the winter ; this with another 3 acres has been planted with potatoes. A good deal of draining and fencing have been done on this property, and should enable more, stock, being carried on it. A number of trees were planted .011 the freehold this winter to provide new shelter-belts, and also to fill gaps in previously established belts. A great deal of fencing has been carried out in subdivision of paddocks and the securing of shelter-belts. All posts, strainers, and droppers for the fencing have been obtained from Rhodes's leasehold. All improvement has been made in several paddocks which were overgrown with rushes, by chipping and burning them, This not only improves the appearance but will permit the growth of more grass. Institution School: Report of Senior Schoolmaster. Changes in classification have been introduced in order that pupils may have the advantage of more frequent lessons by the masters. The 226 inmates have been divided into three groups—junior, intermediate, senior—with numbers based on room accommodation for intermediate and senior divisions. It is difficult to take class-work with only a limited space available. The work of the seniors has been based on a standard which Would be expected from bovs that have completed Standard Vl—English, with readings from standard authors of poetry and of prose ; general mathematics and geometrical drawing ; geography and history correlated with current events. The intermediate division is worked on Standard VI lines without using books not suitable for older pupils. The elements of algebra, as applied to problems, have been introduced in this class. English is not taught in a formal way, but as grammatical needs suggest themselves in the lessons. The junior division attempts Standard IV work, but the reading is more advanced. Some fifteen are practically illiterates in various stages of progress, from letters to primers. All these are Natives. In the junior and the intermediate divisions singing is taken as a class subject one night a week, and the relaxation is enjoyed. In all thfe forms frequent use of intelligence and progress tests is made ; but opportunity is taken to make them educative, not merely examining. They are relaxations from the routine of longer lessons ; and it is in this spirit they are presented. The work of supervision, discipline, arrangement, of all officers is so very thorough and successful that special mention is deserved. Interest appears to be well maintained throughout, monotony being avoided. The pupils display, generally, a commendable interest and their response is gratifying. Waikeria Borstal Institution for Males (Te Awamutu). (Superintendent, Mr. D. Dunlop.) On fhe'ls# January, 1927, there were in custody 88 Borstal inmates, and 68 were received during the year ; the discharges were 15 ori the expiration of sentences and 38 on probationary license, while 2 were transferred to other institutions during the year, thus leaving 101 inmates in custody on the 31st December, 1927. In the reformatory section there were in custody at the beginning of the year 41 inmates, and 37 were received during the year ; of these 6 were discharged on the expiration of their sentences, 20 were released on probationary license, and 27 were transferred to the Borstal or other institutions, leaving a total of 28 in custody on the 31st December, 1927. Two attempts to escape were made during the year, but in each case the inmate was recaptured within a few minutes of running away. The conduct of the inmates was otherwise very satisfactory, the vast majority of offences dealt with having been minor breaches of discipline. The health of the inmates has been very good. One inmate slipped off the stairway in the main corridor and fractured his arm in falling. He was attended to by the Medical Officer and sent to Auckland Prison the same evening for better attention, and was returned to us about two months later quite recovered from his injury. On the Ist September last we took over from the Mental Hospitals Department a further block from their estate, a portion of about 3,000 acres, including their No. 2 Camp site and 272 head of cattle and six horses. The reformatory inmates employed by the Mental Hospitals Department and stationed at the No. 1 Camp were withdrawn to the main building, and a new Borstal Camp was formed at the old No. 2 Camp site. The camp was established primarily as a nearer centre for the working-parties to the new land taken over, but there are many other advantages to be gained from the camp as well. In the first place the building taken over, being previously fitted for the use of mental patients, readily lent itself to conversion to a place of detention for Borstal inmates. Instead of cubicles the inmates sleep in a dormitory each having a hospital cot and a small cabinet at the head of the bed for his clothing, reading-matter, &c. The building also contains a dining-room with seating accommodation for all. It is built on a nice slope on fairly high ground, and facing the north-east has the benefit of the early sunshine, and commanding a fine expansive view is ideally situated as an annex to an institution of this kind. The inmates stationed there are specially selected from those of good behaviour, and especially from those nearing the time of their release, for with the greater freedom that can be extended in a camp of this kind, where the number of inmates is small, it is hoped to lessen the breach existing between the close confinement of an institution and ultimate liberty. During the year the old barbed-wire fence around the main exercise-yard was removed, and a new one made of galvanized-iron netted strands between concrete posts has been erected. The new fence is less forbidding in appearance and more in harmony with the architecture of the buildings. There has also been erected a roof-covered passage-way leading from the institution building to the Administration Block and made of similar materials to the new fence. This has become necessary owing to the increased use by night of the concert chamber for lectures, concerts, &c.

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27

Our main energies, however, have naturally been devoted to work on the farm, and the year has been a very successful one. Dairying is the chief industry, and the returns show an all-round increase over previous seasons. For the season ended 31st July, 1927, 168 cows were milked at the two dairies, giving an average butterfat production of 339-| lb. per cow, and, without counting the value of the milk used at the institution and on the farm, gave a revenue of over £3,500. At the new camp another dairy has been established with a small herd, and although a little late in commencing, the returns so far are highly satisfactory. The land taken over from the Mental Hospitals Department varies greatly in the stage of development, and much work remains to be done to bring the block into its full power of productivity, but it is hoped that there soon will be sufficient pastures ready at the northern end of the estate to establish another dairy. The results of our operations in the past indicate that this class of land is suitable for dairy-farming. Not only, however, does this choice govern our undertakings, but the training afforded the inmates in gaining experience and in studying dairying gives them perhaps a greater opportunity in being absorbed in the agricultural labour-market after leaving here. I may mention here in passing that there has been quite a demand locally for boys for farm-work from the institution, and quite a number of boys were placed in employment on farms, and in the task of rehabilitation will have the initial advantage of good homes and a healthy life. As a side line to the dairying the pig-raising industry has been further developed. In addition to the skim-milk from the dairies, artichokes and barley are grown for fodder, and with a number of sties and small paddocks now at our disposal the pigs can be changed around and their holdings kept fresh and clean. During the year 180 pigs were fattened and sold. Next to the dairying, and subsidiary to it, it is hoped to extend the sheep-raising industry, which as yet may be described as being in a stage of infancy. For the last season a sum close on £300 was realized for the sale of fat lambs, and it is estimated that the wool to be disposed of in February will bring £140. There are many encouraging possibilities in the development of this industry, owing to the ready markets here for the disposal of fat sheep and lambs, and the benefits derived from the sheep in consolidating the pasture-lands. The industry cannot be placed on the same educative plane as the dairying, as the number employed in the management of the sheep will be considerably less. The heavy hailstorms experienced in the early summer of 1926-27 had a spoiling effect on the apple crop, but over one thousand cases were disposed of in the year. The garden maintained a good supply of vegetables for the institution throughout the year, and surplus supplies were disposed of by sale. Tomatoes were not so extensively grown as in previous years owing to the difficulties experienced in marketing, but the crop produced was good, and through the firm prices ruling throughout the season over £100 was realized on the sales. From the crops harvested early in the year we obtained 100 bushels of barley, 120 tons of ensilage, 200 bushels of oats, while 64 tons of oaten sheaves were stacked. In addition we cropped 7 acres in maize, 6-|- acres in carrots, 12 acres in mangolds, 10 acres in soft turnips, and 75 acres in swede turnips for fodder for the cattle and horses. For the coming season our cropping is naturally heavier owing to the increased number in the stock we are carrying.' We have sown 255 acres in swede turnips, 16 acres in mangolds, 9 acres in carrots, 8 acres in barley, 80 acres in oats, 8 acres in soft turnips, 12 acres in maize, 5 acres in artichokes, as well as 15 acres in potatoes. During the winter months some twelve thousand trees were planted out around the farm. Further work was also done in connection with the draining and clearing of swamps and low-lying lands. One of the paddocks which has only been drained in the last few years from almost a swamp we have sown in oats, and the crop which is just being harvested is the best crop of its kind we have produced here. In the evenings the school classes for inmates have been continued on three nights per week, and drill classes are given two and three nights per week alternately. Early in the year we very fortunately enlisted the services of a well-known resident of Hamilton to assist us in providing lectures for the boys. This gentleman brought us in touch with the Workers' Educational Association and the newly formed branch at Hamilton of the Howard League. To Mr. Richmond of the association, and to several gentlemen associated with the league we are indebted for many interesting and instructive lectures on subjects of science and engineering, travel, books and authors, and social and international questions of the day, &c. At each of the lecture nights the league also presented several musical items, which were invariably enjoyable. I should like to record my appreciation and gratitude to the members of the Howard League for the services, gratuitously rendered. To travel by night over indifferent roads, and often in inclement weather, a distance of thirty miles, with a return journey of another thirty miles, week after week, to deliver these courses of instruction and to give entertainment to the boys is a matter of admiration and encouragement — admiration at the personal philanthropic effort and achievement over difficulties, and encouragement in finding so much real interest taken by public-minded citizens in endeavouring to uplift those fallen ones committed to our care. On the recreative side the Saturday afternoons have been given up wholly to sport. Early in the season many games of Rugby football were played—trial games at first to sort out and select a first fifteen, and then, after a little practice, the team engaged in matches with outside visiting clubs. As an experiment the venture was at first invested with some apprehension, ,but our team never caused the least anxiety in their games ; they played a clean, open game on every occasion, and although not every match was won they were invariably a fitter team thati their opponents towards the end of a game, which showed how physically fit they were as a~~result of their regular life and their own voluntary training. At such games the conduct of the spectator inmates was all that could be desired. With the advent of summer, cricket has claimed chief interest in the outdoor pastimes. Here also games have been played with outside clubs, and the general behaviour of the boys participating has been

H.—2o

excellent. Further indication of this is also expressed in the many applications we have received both from football and cricket clubs for games with the boys. Tennis-courts have been put down in clay and sand, and the game has had a great vogue during the long evenings of summer. .During the summer parties have been organized for bathing in the Mangatutu Stream whenever possible, and in the very hot weather most of the inmates managed to get in one swim each day. Arrangements for dining have now been made whereby all Borstal inmates have the privilege, unless withheld for some breach of discipline, of dining in association at breakfast and at the evening meal. The midday meal is, of course, taken by each inmate for consumption at the place of his labour. Every evening the association class meets in the concert chamber, and, in the nature of a club, the members play indoor games,, read, &c. It may be contended that the privileges granted to inmates and the latitude extended to them in playing games are not expected in a place of detention and correction, but it must not be lost sight of that the chief purpose of an institution of this kind is to aim at the reformation of the offender, and with the regular hours and hard work undertaken a leaven of sport is necessary to preserve the equilibrium of these boys, to give zest to their living, and some healthy relaxation for the mind, for the old axiom is equally true to-day, " All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." On the boys' side there have been many manifestations of their appreciation of the privileges, and it is a helpful sign to find expressions of gratitude. I wish to thank the four visiting Chaplains from Te Awamutu who made regular visits to the institution, and also other ministers as well who made casual visits here to administer spiritual comfort to the inmates. Thanks are also due to the Medical Officer, Dr. Hall, who, in addition to his regular visits from Te Awamutu, invariably called also whenever any illness, however slight, was reported to him. Keen interest in the welfare of the boys was also taken by the members of the Borstal Visiting Committee, and due to their efforts a sum of money was collected and a wireless outfit purchased for the use of the inmates. In conclusion I wish to thank the officers for their loyal co-operation in all our undertakings during the year. Institution School: Report of Schoolmaster. During the year we held classes three nights a week, each lesson being of one hour and a half duration ; the average attendance being forty-nine men. We confined ourselves to the immediately useful subjects, having arithmetic up to Standard VI once a week ; the English group —comprehension, letter-writing, and spelling —once a week, with the remaining night given up to debates or class discussions on topics of local or general interest. These class discussions I found of great value in that they not only seemed to give the more diffident men confidence to stand up and give their point of view, but also caused wider interest, as 1 found the whole class had prepared the subject beforehand instead of confining the preparation work to those actually debating. This reading-up of the subjectmatter beforehand is of considerably more value than an actual formal lesson in leading the men to think and discover things for themselves. We have been singularly fortunate this year in having the assistance of the Hamilton Branch of the Workers' Educational Association, who arranged to give the inmates a lecture every week. I need hardly say how extremely grateful we were for the splendid series of lectures we enjoyed. The men appreciated them tremendously, looking forward eagerly to each Tuesday night, giving them fresh food for thought for the succeeding days. It is pleasing to note that the men, almost without exception, made steady progress during the year, gaining their promotion in the annual examination— although our object is not so much the passing of examinations as the cultivation of a right attitude towards life itself. The discipline and tone of the school is good, which is due to the tactful and efficient manner in which the disciplinary officer handled this class of over fifty men, thus enabling me to cover the work with practically no friction. In conclusion I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the staff for their unfailing courtesy and ready help extended to me at all times. Point Halswell Borstal Institution for Young Women. (Superintendent, Miss G. Watkin.) At the beginning of the year there were 43 inmates in the Borstal Institution and 6 in the reformatory ; during the year 30 were received into the Borstal and 35 discharged or transferred to other institutions, leaving 39 here on 31st December. Sixty-five women were received into the reformatory and 63 discharged or transferred elsewhere, leaving 8 in custody here at the end of the year. The health of the inmates has been excellent throughout the year, one girl having to be sent to the General Hospital for gastric trouble, and another to be operated on for goitre, while two others were admitted there for brief periods of treatment. The industry of the girls has been very good indeed when it is taken into consideration that practically none of them have had any training whatever in habits of steady work prior to coming here. The same remark applies to their general conduct. The total number of offences for the year was fiftyfive ; twenty-five of these were minor breaches of discipline, only eighteen inmates having to be brought before the Visiting Committee, and of these ten were subsequently transferred to other institutions as not being suitable cases for the educational treatment given here. Our school has worked steadily on throughout the year, and it is with much regret that we said ■ farewell to Miss Carpenter on the 31st December, she having been one of the teachers who started this work and also our first drill and games mistress. Whether in school, at work, or at play we keep steadily

28

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before us the ideal of turning out good citizens, and, although the material is not always of the most promising, I think we can safely claim that our girls leave us with higher ideals and aspirations than they brought, even though some of them may prove too weak to live up to their intentions when facing again the battle of life, Our games and physical exercises, in conjunction with the good air and regular life, work wonders in the health of the girls. On two occasions the senior squad has given a short display of drill which has done credit to themselves and their instructors. Basketball is played ejyery Saturday afternoon, followed by tennis for those who are members of one of the " houses." In June a new departure was made in the inauguration of the " house " system whereby, after spending three months as probationers, girls pass on to " Wakefield House," and later, if all goes well, into " Fergusson House," this last being named by Her Excellency's gracious permission after Lady Alice Fergusson, President of the Borstal Association, who did us the further honour of coming on 30th June to formally open the houses. Entry into each house brings certain additional privileges which are much valued. To encourage healthy competition and a pride in their house Her Excellency presented us with a beautiful inter-house Games Shield to be competed for at regular intervals. The first struggle was very keenly contested, Wakefield House eventually proving the winner by six points. Our industries have been carried on as in previous years —viz., laundry-work and the making and mending of garments, &c., for other institutions or Departments. Nine girls are employed regularly in the garden and dairy, and all take their turn for training in housework and cooking, this last important item being taught in the three kitchens under an officer specially detailed for the domestic training of the girls. The cooking is divided up in this way in order to provide a better means of teaching home cooking than would be possible if all the work were done in one large kitchen. The religious services have been carried on regularly by the different denominations —Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, and Salvation Army —to whom our thanks are due for their visits and spiritual help. We must again record our gratitude to Mrs. John Hannah for training our girls in a second play, entitled " The New Poor," which was given at the opening of the houses. Mrs. Coventry has also carried on her knitting class throughout the year, so that every girl learns while here to knit a pair of stockings. Those kind friends who, under the auspices of the Borstal Association, have provided us with an entertainment for every Thursday evening throughout the year are too many to enumerate, but their help has been invaluable in providing a means of raising the standard of taste in music, &c., among the girls, and that this has been the case was shown clearly by the very keen appreciation displayed for the beautiful music given us by the. Symons-Elwood-Short trio when they visited us. In addition to these entertainments the ladies of the association have done a great deal for us in the way of teaching embroidery, raffia-work, and other fancy work. In the after-care for our inmates on their release the association has shouldered a big responsibility, as many of the girls have doubtful, if any, home influences, and, being inherently weak in themselves, they need much patient help and guidance when they go forth into the world. Without this help and care our work here would in most cases be futile. The J.P.'s Association and the Salvation Army (represented by Mrs. Glover) gave their customary delightful Christmas parties, both of which were heartily enjoyed. At that season, too, many kind friends sent gifts of good cheer, notable among them being Her Excellency's two beautiful Christmas cakes —one for each house. I should like to add here that a former inmate sent me a cake which she had made, with the request that it might be given to some girl who had received nothing from home. Thanks to the generosity of the Borstal Association, every girl here received a present on Christmas morning. Mrs. Henderson sent two gifts to be awarded by vote to the inmate who had best kept the " golden rule " throughout the year ; this was done, and her kindness was much appreciated bv the recipients. To sum up the year's work I should like to quote a few lines from the report of a Superintendent of a similar institution for girls in the United States of America : "A good number of these girls are oversexed, all have very little self-control, most have had no character training or orderly habits, and the whole project is a re-education, which of course is interesting but slow and difficult. Most of them are the product of unfortunate circumstances, home environment, and heredity. They have very difficult dispositions, and one has to use all the intelligence, psychology, love, faith, and religion that one has." The staff of the institution has rendered the most loyal assistance during the year, and their conduct has been excellent in the difficult task of combining teaching with the work of carrying on the various industries.

29

H.—2o

Table A. PRISON ACCOMMODATION AND PRISONERS. Table showing Accommodation, Number of Prisoners, etc., at the several Prisons of the Dominion during the Year 1927.

30

_ Number of Persons for whom there is Accommodation Name of Prison. Number of Persons at Number received during Number discharged or Number in Prison at In Separate Cells for In Wards or Cells for Beginning of Year. Year. transferred. End of Year. One Prisoner. more than One Total. Prisoner. M - F - M. F. M. I F. M. F. T. j M. | F. T. M. | F. T. M. F. T. Addington (Women's Reformatory) .. 32 .. .. 32 .. 24 24 83 83 78 78 .. 29 29 Auckland .. .. .. 277 11 104 3 381 14 379 24 403 1,623 102 1,725 1,588 ! 106 1,694 «4 20 434 Hautu (Tokaanu) .. .. 20 .. 31 .. 51 .. 33 .. 33 34 .. 34 20 I 20 47 .. 47 Invercargill .. .. ..11 1 .. .. 11 1 11 .. 11 87 3 90 88 : 3 91 10 10 Invercargill (Borstal Institution) .. 171 .. 9 .. 180 .. 199 .. 199 152 i 152 107 .. 107 244 .. 244 Napier .. .. .. 22 4 2 .. 24 4 16 1 17 250 1 251 237 : 2 239 29 " 29 New Plymouth .. .. .. 55 3 10 .. 65 3 65 1 66 141 1 142 151 I 2 153 55 . 55 Paparua (Templeton) .. .. 140 .. 6 .. 146 .. 146 ..146 551 .. 551 527 i 527 170 .. 170 Pt. Halswell (Women's Reformatory) .. 14 .. .. .. 14 .. 6 ; 6 .. 65 65 63 63 .. 8 8 Point Halswell (Borstal Institution) .. 43 .. .. .. 43 .. 43 i 43 .. 30 30 .. 35 35 38 38 Rangipo .. .. .. 26 ; 4 .. 30 .. 18 ..18 23 .. 23 18 .. 18 23 .. 23 Waikeria (Reformatory) .. .. 22 j .. .. 22 .. 44 .. 44 37 .. 37 53 .. 53 28 .. 28 Waikeria (Borstal Institution) .. 81 j 31 .. 112 .. 88 .. 88 68 .. 68 55 .. 55 101 .. 101 Waikune (Erua) .. .. 24 .. 68 1 92 .. 84 .. 84 56 .. 56 74 .. 74 66 . . 66 Wanganui .. .. .. .... 40 3 40 3 32 .. 32 178 10 188 179 10 189 31 .. 31 Wellington .. .. .. 107 75 .. 182 .. 125 .. 125 968 .. 968 965 .. 965 128 .. 128 Wi Tako (Trentham) .. .. 74 .. 7 .. 81 .. 67 .. 67 100 .. 100 93 .. 93 74 .. 74 Minor prisons and police-gaols .. 59 16 54 18 113 34 28 .. 28 830 14 844 825 13 838 33 1 34 Police lock-ups* .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. i 95 1 96 95 1 96 Totals .. .. 1,089 ! 124 j 441 24 1,530 148 1,335 99 j 1,434 : 5,193 | 310 j 5,503 5,075 313 5,388 1,453 96 1,549 * Deemed to be prisons under the provisions of section 17 of the Statute Law Amendment Act, 1917.

31

H.—2o

Table A—continued. PRISON ACCOMMODATION AND PRISONERS— continued. Table showing Accommodation, Number of Prisoners, etc.— continued.

Sickness. (c.) Number of Distinct Prisoners ill on One or More Occasions, Greatest Number in T,«aBt Nnmhur in with Number of Occasions, Total Number of Separate Name ef Prison Prison Prison Daily Average Number of Illnesses, Total Number of Days, and Daily Average on a i One Time at One Time Prisoners. (a.) Greatest Number (b.) Admissions Sick-list. ill at any One to Hospital during — — Time. Year. d m Number Total Daily • o ® £ s 2 £ 2 w °* Number Average g 'S S 3 o a | S Separate of on O E-t HE-( E-i H FH° Illnesses Days ill. Sick-list. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. Addington (Women's Reformatory) .. 32 32 .. 19 19 .. 24-58 24-58 .. 2 2 1 1 2 2 .. 1 1 10 141 0-39 Auckland .. .. 416 21 437 342 19 361 373-13 21-36 394-49 33 .. 33 22 22 116 49 14 7 5 3 333 3,148 8-62 Hautu (Tokaanu) .. .. 47 47 28 28 36-23 .. 36-23 2 .. 2 2 2 12 0-03 Invercargill . . .. .. 15 2 17 2 2 6-06 0-01 6-07 1 .. 1 1 1 6 0-02 Invereargill (Borstal Institution) .. 254 .. 254 202 .. 202 228-21 .. 228-21 15 15 8 8 62 33 7 7 1 .. 182 1,850 5-07 Napier .. .. .. 30 30 10 10 19-72 .. 19-72 1 .. 1 1 1 7 0-02 New Plymouth .. .. .. 73 1 74 53 1 54 63-66 .. 63-66 11 11 3 3 28 11 4 3 2 2 96 1,076 2-95 Paparua (Templeton) .. .. 179 .. 179 124 .. 124 144-63 .. 144-63 7 .. 7 5 .. 5 44 11 1 .. 69 692 1-90 Pt. Halswell (Women's Reformatory) .. 10 10 3 3 | .. 5-59 5-59 .. .. .. .. .. Point Halswell (Borstal Institution) .. 46 46 .. 38 38 .. 42-04 42-04 3 .. 3 7 .. 761 .. 8 373 1-02 Rangipo .. .. .. 30 30 17 17 24-90 .. 24-90 4.. 4 1.. 14 4 51 0-14 Waikeria (Reformatory) .. .. 44 44 24 24 31-33 .. 31-33 2 .. 2 .... .. 4 2 .. 8 30 0-08 Waikeria (Borstal Institution) .. 104 .. 104 77 .. 77 89-29 .. 89-29 4 4 .. 14 2 1 .. 1 .. 26 94 0-26 Waikune (Erua) .. .. 98 98 66 66 80-70 .. 80-70 11 11 2 .. 2 28 11 10 9 4 31 394 821 2-20 Wanganui .. .. .. 39 2 41 20 20 [ 29-97 .. j 29-97 1.. 1 2 21 1 3 0-01 Wellington .. .. .. 152 .. 152 116 .. 116 1 136-29 .. ! 136-29 9 9 25 1 .. 25 41 20 3 1 .. * 1 100 1,224 3-35 Wi Tako (Trentham) .. .. 83 .. 83 61 61 70-21 .. i 70-21 7 7 1 1 12 : 2 2 22 119 0-33 Minor prisons and police-gaols .. .. .. 30-25 .. 30-25 .. .. .. 3 1 4 15 1 .. 17 116 0-32 Totals .. .. .. ..J .. | 1,364-58 93-58 jl, 458-16 79 2 81 38] 145 42 28 13 38 1,274 9,763 26-71

H.—2o,

Table A1. Table showing Particulars, for each Prison, of Prisoners at Beginning and End of Year, and received and discharged during Year 1927.

32

A *3 S3 I 3 (0 go 3 . s d "§ a ® ® ® si 5 a 5c p< m § = -5-§ o O I I a S.° g - a 1 S g, ? "3 g T3 S ? 3-S-S a *£ % "31' 3 • « . ffl-2 iS '= 2 3 '}• i ■§ o o 4 ? £ -2 • w ffi £ 5 2 'C 2 -2 fl c tt £> a .2 o 5f rtr, O b 0'5 ?n flj >hS o -fH © °H "_5 S ® CD S-l "S tfl 1 1 f | 1*1 ! 1 It I 1*1 ! I II ! II & || 1 I I < < K 5 Z Z Ck W S ; g £ £ £ £ 3 g (S b5 . j j | j | - j " j (a) In prison at beginning of year :— Undergoing M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. I M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Simple imprisonment .. .. .. 1 1 1.. 1 1 1 ] 5 2 7 Under three months hard labour .. .. .. .. 3 44 5 .... 3 1 .. 2 .. 22 1 .. 10 10 ...... 93 8 101 Three months' hard labour and under one year .. .. 1 88 9 2 .. 1 13 1 3 .. 27 3 lj .. .. .. 7 .. 1 2 .. I 35 .. | 7! .. 61 192| 14) 206 One year's hard labour and upwards .. .. ..14 195] 4 19 .. 1 50 .. 39 .. .. 1 .. .. 12 .. 18 46 .. 11 .. 37 .. 28 456 19 475 Detention as habitual criminals .. .. 1 1 .. 8 .. 2 1 13 13 Reformative detention .. .. .. .. .. 5 38 5 11 .. 6 8 .. 46 .. .. 2 .. .. 6 .. 25 30 .. 5 .. 27 .. 31 233 12 245 Detention in Borstal Institution .. .. 199 8 43 88 2 .. 297 43 340 I i__ _L ' | Total criminals in prison .. .. .. ..23 366 24 33 .. 11 ..199 ..15 1 64 1 143 .. .. 6 .. 43 18 .. 44 .. 88 .. 84 .. 27 ..113 67 .. 17 12 981,387 For trial or on remand .. .. .. .. .. 1 13 1 .. 1 .. 3 5 .. 12 11 46 1 47 In transitu .. .. .. .. Total in prison for criminal offences .. .. 24 379 24 33 .. 11 .. 199 .. 16 1 ! 65 1 146 .. .. 6 .. 43 18 .. 44 .. 88 .. 84 .. 32 ..125 67 .. 28 .. .. . 11,335 991,434 (b) Received during the Year :— Sentenced to— Simple imprisonment .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 3 .. 1 .. 3 .. .. 1 2 10 . 18 1 56 2 58 Under three months' hard labour .. .. .. ..34 858 54 .. .. 20 96 .. 40 1 217 .. .. 21 61 4 406 269 1 77 ..2,044115 2,159 Three months' hard labour and under one year .. .. 14 210 16 .. .. 1 1 .... 45 1 9 .. 93 .... 13 7 ..171 2 .. (57 2 606 47 653 One year's hard labour and upwards .. .. .. 1 50 1.... 4 1.. 3.. 32 9..58.. 2.. 11 170 2 172 Hard labour, also flogged .. .. * j | j Hard labour and reformative detention .. .. .... 17 j .... 1 2 .. 3 4 27 27 Reformative detention only .. .. .. .. 7 42] 3 .. .. 7 8 .. 6 .. 27 .. .. 2 2 .. .. 2 .. 31 1 .. 37 1 163 i3 176 Hard labour and detention in Borstal Institution j .. . J .. 2 l| 3 3 Detention in Borstal Institution .. .. 12 82 .. 1 .. 3 j .. 8 1 .. 24 8 3 14 8 139 25 164 Hard labour and declared habitual criminal 11 1 3 5' 20 -> 0 Detained during the pleasure of the Minister of Justice .. .. 1 1 j "j "2 Under conviction for sentence .. .. 8 1 2 .. 3 5 9 22 49 1 50 Total new prisoners received .. .. .. 561,228 75 .... 32 2 82 .. 159 1 65 1 389 .. .. 38 .. 24 .. .. 2 .. 8 84 1 4696 5 435 ~4 ~95 ~ 7 3 278 206^484 On remand or for trial 9 256 23 .. .. 42 59 ..27 .. 57 .. .. 19 52 5137 ! 240 8 .. .. '870 64 '934 T , , Total •• •• 6 ® 1,484 98 •• 74 2 82 -- 216 1 92 1446 .. .. 57 .. 24 .. .. 2 .. 8 136 9833 .. 5 ..675 12 95 14,148 2704,418 ? ebt ° rs 2 57 4 13 .. 34 .. 17 16 .. 27 71 239 2 241 Lunatics .. .. .. .. .. 1 , , „ z. ' 1 4 5 .. 5 Total new persons received .. .. .. 67 1,541 98 .... 78 2 82 .. 230 1 126 1463 .. .. 57 .. 24 .. .. 2 .. 8 152| 9860 5 750 12 95 14 4~664 On transfer or in transitu .. .. .. .... 16 82 4 34 .. 9 1 70 .. 20 .. j 15 .. ] 88 .. .. 8 .. 6 23 .. 35 .. 60 .. 56 .. 26 1 108 .. 95 .. 80| % .. '801 *"38 '839 Grand totals 83 1623102 34 .. 87 3152! ..250 1 141 1551 .. .. 65 .. 30 23 .. 37 .. 68 .. 56 ..178' 10968~ 100 T 83o|~U ~95 ~1 5 19.3310 5^503 ■ 1 1 _J ; 1 i i s ; ! 1 ! 1 1 * Deemed to be prisons under the provisions of section 17 of the Statute Law Amendment Act, 1917.

Table A1— continued. Table showing Particulars, for each Prison, of Prisoners at Beginning and End of Year, and received and discharged during Year 1927— continued.

H.—2o,

5—H. 20.

33

,3 C" ~ £3 *3 ® go £ rz • *="©©_; ■*? «3 a 07? CL co a r-: !3 g 5 .2 & £ 3 g d s • 2 o § s -2 — i 1 1 I HI , I af I 111 §. I 11 1 I sf £l i H a — s En £ © © «. u 2 £ .& 2 fe'-S 3 S, .2 ifi £ £ o v I S Z~ i 5 n S a % £§ 2 |«3 g> £ is I g 3 g* J 3 I ■o 5 .g a " " ,S ® a ~ o o i- 1 a 5 .5 M 5 iS >5 -5 « o o 2 ; " " ~ ; ""H i j j i i j ; i j j (c) Discharged during the year :— On expiration of sentence M. F. M. F. m. f. m. F. M. F. M. F. j M. F. j M. j F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. : F. M. F. M. F. M. ' F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. I F. Hard labour .. .. .. .. .... 511,125 74 2 .. 27 129 2 50 2 319 .. .. 22 .. .. 2 .. 3 20 . . 82 3 537 .. 33 .. 302 3 77 .. 2,708 157 2,865 Reformative detention .. .. .. .. .. 3 9 3 1 3 .. 4 .. .. 2 .. .. 2 .. 3 10 .. 3 .. 3 .. 3 .. 1 42 1 8 50 Simple imprisonment .. .. .. .. .. 1 16 ! .. .. 2 .. 3j ..! I ..[ ,. 2 .. 4 19 . 18 1 64| 2 66 Detention in Borstal Institution .. .. 3) 6 15 ] : 18 6 24 On bail or probation .. .. .. .. .. 6 47 2 .. .. 3 5 .. 5 .. 14 1 1 13 18 1 .. .. 106 10 116 Died .. .. .. .. .. 4 1 . 1 6 .. 1 13 .. 13 Absconded and not retaken .. .. 1 3 1 2 6 X 7 Committed suicide .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 2 .. 2 Released on recommendation of Prisons Board — Hard labour .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 26 .. 6 ., 3 4 .. 31 .. 2 ., 7 2 6 .. 14 101 1 102 Reformative detention .. .. .. .. -j ...... 10 .. 5 2 .. 10 . 2 .. 13 9 ...... 13 .. 13 77 .. 77 . Detention to Borstal Institution .. .. ,. I .. .. .. 87 ... .. .. ., . j . 18 ,. .. .. .. 38 .. 1 j 126 18 144 Habitual criminals ., ., .. 18 .. .. .. .. ...1 .. ... .. ..j 1 ; 19 .. J9 Total criminals discharged to freedom .. .. 621,257 79 14 .. 34 .. 90 ..134 2 66 2 386 .. /. 24 ..] 25 8 .. 26 .. 53 .. 44 .. 94 4i578 .. 63 .. 340 4 95 1 3,282 203 3,485 Acquitted and after remand .. .. 44 7 .. .. 3 2 .. 22 .. 51 .. .. 18 .. j 5 23 150 25 175 Debtors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 54 3 13 .. 33 .. 16 11 .. -27! 69 .... 226 1 227 Lunatics transferred to mental hospitals .. .. .. 4 6 1 1 3 .. 3 4 | 2l ...... 4 18 10 28 Total persons discharged from prison .. .. 671,361 87 14 .. 40 1 90 . 149! 2124 2456 .. .. 42 .. 29 8 .. 26 .. 53 .. 44 ..105 4612 .. 63 ..436 4 95 13,676239 3,915 Transferred to other prisons or to the police .. .. ..11 227 19 6 .. 48 2 17 .. 88 .. 27 .. 71 .. .. 21 .. ' 6 10 .. 27 .. 2 .. 30 .. 74 6353 .. 30 ..389 9 .. ..1,399 74 1'473 Grand totals .. .. .. .. .. 781,588106 20 .. 88 3 107 ..237; 2151 2527 .. .. 63 .. 35, 18 .. 53 .. 55 .. 74 ..179 10965 ...93 ..,825 13 95 1 5,075 313 5,388 (d) In prison at end of year :— Undergoing — Simple imprisonment .. .. .. 3 1 3 1 4 Under three months' hard labour .. .. .. .. 3 42 3 .. .. 1 7 .. 2 .. 6 .. .. 2 1 .. 21 9 89 8 97 Three months' hard labour and under one year ., ..11 61 6 10 .. 1 .. 42 1 39 .. 15 .. 8 177 17 194 One year's hard labour and upwards .. .... 7 198 4 24 .. 1 1 .. 43 .. 53 14 .. 16 40 .. 12 .. 35 .. 35 472 11 483 Detention as habitual criminals .. .. .. 1 32i .. 2 1 1 j .. .. 1 1 7 .. 8 .. 3 .. ..I 55 1 56 Reformative detention .. .. .. .. .. 7 551 5 21 .. 2 1 .. 7 .. 61; .. 4 j .. .. 8 .. 12 18 .. 7 .. 26 .. 24 .. .. 1 .. .. 242 17 259 Detention in Borstal Institution .. .. j 214 2j j .. 38 101 .. .. .. 347 38 385 Total criminals in prison .. .. ..29 391 19 47 .. 4 ..244 .. 20 .. 53 ..165 .. .. 6j . . 38' 23 .. 28! .. 101 .. 66 .. 28 ..124 .. 74 .. 17I 1 .. ..1,385 931,478 For trial or on remand .. .. .. | 22 : 1 .. .. 5 9 .. 1 .. 5 .. .. 2j .. ..I 3 .. 4 14 63 3 66 Total in prison for criminal offences .. ..29 413 20 47 .. 9 ..244 .. 29 .. 54 ..170 .. .. 8 .. 38 23 .. 28 . 101: .. 66 .. 31 ..128 .. 74 .. 31 1 .. ..1,448 96 1 544 Debtors .. .. .. •• 1 1 1 ... | ..j ..| | .. ..j .. 2j 5 .. ' 5 Total persons in prison .. .. .. ..29 414 20 47 .. 10 ..244 .. 29 .. 55 ..170 .. .. 81 ..[ 38 23 .. 28 ..101 .. 66 .. 31 ..128 ..74 33 1 .. ..1,453' 961 459 I I 1 j I 111 I 1 1 1 I i i j [ * Deemed to be prisons under the provisions of section 17 of the Statute Law Amendment Act, 1917.

H;— 20.

Table B. PRISONS DEPARTMENT. Balance-sheet as at 31st Makch, 1928. • Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. Capital Account .. .. .. .. 866,352 6 7 Rangitoto Island Improvements £ s. d. £ s. <1. Treasury Adjustment Account .. .. 113,627 0 3 Account — Depreciation Reserve .. ~. 90,372 13 2 ■ Expenditure to 31st March, 1928 - 4,888 18 8 Writings off Suspense Reserve .. .. 1,447 15 2 Less expenditure to 31st March, Exhibition—Suspense Reserve .. .. 132 15 6 1927, transferred to National Sundry creditors .. .. .. .. 8,533 17 2 Development Account 2,68(1 2 7 Accrued earnings of prisoners .. .. 7,811 4 6 2,209 1 1 Deposits; .. .. .. .. 1,321 4 1 Land and buildings l —• Freeholds .. .. ..175,334 9 S Leaseholds .. .. .. 12,251 2 11 Taupo Land Development Account .. .. .. 26,884 13 ,2 Buildings .. .. .. 604,912 17 6 819,383 ' 2 10 Farm and garden assets — Live-stock .. .. 14,785 6 1 Crops .. .. .. 6,292 8 0 Gardens and orchards .. 2,313 9 4 Implements and machinery .. 6,198 15 7 Tractors .. .. .. 897 8 10 Harness, loose tools, and sundry stores .. .. .. 2,667 17 6 Apiary .. .. .. 61 4 5 : 33,216 9 9 Miscellaneous industry and institution assets— Fixed plant.. ■ .. .. 35,194 5 0 implements and machinery .. 4,177 16 11 Motor-vehicles .. .. 5,448 3 4 Lighters .. .. .. 1,064 0 0 Loose tools and harness .. 2,697 6 9 Arms and accoutrements .. 806 0 11 Library and school books c:. r 769 6 4 Furniture and fittings .. 11,333 18 6 Clothing and bedding .. 14,075 5 6 Band instruments .. 230 0 0 . Stock in trade and raw materials 5,719 18 1 Stocks in general store .. 8,485 17 8 Stocks in local stores.. .. 7,080 5 0 Stocks in transit .. .. 152 16 8 Horses in quarries and roadworks 504 16 5Sundry debtors .. .. 7,690 19 8 Cash in deposit accounts .. 1,321 4 I Uutterfat bonuses held on deposit 707 ,'i 7 Expenditure paid in advance .. 78 4 3 * 9,797 11 7 Suspense Accounts, — Writings off— Sundry stores and live-stock 1,447 15 2 Sawmill Realization .. 2,485 110 Terrace Prison demolition .. 5,786 12 4 . ■ ' ' ' 9,715! 9 4 Revenue Accounts for year ended 31st March, 1928— Cost of institutional upkeep .. 98,550 13 2 Industry account balances .. 12,923 13 1 Administration expenses (Crimes Amendment Act and Probation) .. .. 6,058 18 6 117,533 4 9 £1,089,598 16 5 £1,089,598 16 5 Note,—Balance-sheet subject to audit.

34

H.—2o,

Table B —continued. Institutional Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1928. Expenditure. Revenue. To Opening stocks—• £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Loose tools .. .. 685 1 4 By Rent of buildings and deductions for use of Clothing and bedding on issue 13,703 15 1 houses .. .. .. .. 3,614 15 0 Stocks in local stores .. .6,073 910 j Miscellaneous credits .. .. 1,434 5 3 —-— 20,462 63 j Closing stocks— £ s. d. Rations (including tobacco) .. 25,658 8 8 ! Loose tools , .. .. 1,230 '9 4 Clothing and bedding .. 10,757 16 1 . Clothing.and bedding on issue. 14,075 5 6 Wages to prisoners'dependants 10,235 3 0 Local store stocks .. 6,898 11 7 Prisoners'industry earnings .. 6,703 17 4 —-—-—-— r 22,204 6 5 Gratuities to prisoners on release 198 8 5 Gross cost of institutional upkeep, carried forHospital maintenance and ward (cost per head per annum, £113 45.) . . 168,945 4 5 medicines .. .. 1,865 2 11 Burial of prisoners .. .. 49 3 1 Transport charges and travel-ling-expenses .. .. 5,747 4 6 Maintenance of buildings and grounds .. .. 3,805 4 2 Salaries, allowances, and uniforms .. .. .. 53,271 12 0 Advertising, books, and newspapers .. .. .. 246 12 9 Fuel, light, power, water, and sanitary .. .. 6,633 19 0 Postage, telegrams, telephones, and stationery .. .. 1,360 0 2 Office requisites .. .. 174 13 3 Equipment and instructional work .. .. .. 217 13 0 Sundry expenses .. .. 7 9 4 —— 126,932 7 8 Prison labour on domestic work 20,556 8 1 Less wages and earnings already charged .. 17,039 0 4 ——— 3,517 7 9 Interest on capital .. .. 27,713 5 6 Depreciation of buildings, plant, furniture, &c. .. .. 12,934 19 6 Overhead burden .. .. 4,638 4 5 —— 45,286 9 5 £196,198 11 1 £196,198 11 ] Net Expenditure Account. To Gross cost of insti- Bv Value of prison labour supplied to— £ s. d. tut ion upkeep £ s. d. Institutions .. .. .. .. .. 3,768 9 9 brought forward. . 168,945 4 5 Capital works .. .. .. .. .. 22,806 14 0 £ s. d. — 26,575 3 9 Net Balance. Labour Allocation. Surplus on Working.; Industry Accounts— £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Block and tile (Dr.) 26 13 10 174 4 0 147 19 2 making Bootmaking .. (Dr.) 354 1 6 2,438 7 8 2,084 6 2 Brickworks .. (Dr.) 1,680 1 6 226 19 0 1,453 2 6(a) Breadmaking (Cr.) 110 2 6 92 8 0 202 10 6 Farming .. (Dr.) 11,887 8 3 16,106 12 0 4,219 3 9 Gardening .. (Dr.) 760 4 4 1,431 3 8 670 19 4 Labour contracts (Dr.) 207 16 10 1,893 15 10 1,685 19 0 Laundering .. (Cr.) 120 7 8 930 14 10 1,051 2 6 Mail bags .. (Or.) 710 4 4 463 5 11 1,173 10 3 Roadmaking .. (Cr.) 283 3 2 6,049 18 7 6,333 1 9 Quarrying '.. (Dr.) 656 10 1 12,578 3 9 11,921 13 8 Sawmilling .. (Dr.) 50 6 5 136 8 0 86 1 7 Tailoring .. (Cr.) 1,234 6 5 1,080 11 1 2,314 17 6 Tinsmithing .. (Cr.) 146 7 10 139 5 4 285 13 2 Miscellaneous (Cr.) 94 17 9 77 9 10 172 7 7 12,923 13 1 I 43,819 76 j Total .. 30,895 14 5 Balance—Net cost of institutional upkeep (cost tier prisoner per annum, 111,474 6 3 £74 Bs. 2d.) * £168,945 4 5 £168,945 4 5 — (a) Deficit.

35

H.— 20.

Table B1. Analysis of Value of all Prison Labour for the Year ended 31st March, 1928, together with Corresponding Totals for Previous Years.

Summary of above, and also of 1924-25.

36

! Improvements. Works and Industries. Institutional Maintenance. Annual Value of Labour per Head. Erection Boot Block Pa!i j Domestic, I Domestic Domestic Total, Total, Total, 1927-28. I 1926-27. of | Farm- Manu- Farms and Tile w *. ies J Miscel- t Cleaning, Launder- Cooking, 1927-28. 1926-27. 1925-26. Buildings develop- facturing and Manu- r TQ ,, 0 i i LLr i laneous and I ing and Baking, . . i . | and ment. and Gardens, factur- Industries. d ° Sanitary, Repairs to and v S n f \ „r.t at a nt Plant. Repairs. ing. pits " Contracts. & c . | Clothing. Rationing. Inmafes . . - . _ _ . __ . £££££££££££££££ £ £ Addington.. .. .. ! .. 317 .. .. .. 79 230 157 122 905 682 512 2705 33-45 19-95 34-18 Auckland .. .. .. 932 i .. 1,712 228 .. 8,360 1,506 1,865 583 2,296 708 439 18,629 19,274 18,206 395-77 47-07 407-49 47-29 Hautu F .. .. .. .. 63 .. 2,306; .. .. .. .. .. 62 62 272 2,767 1,910 1,984 40-55 68-24 27-54 69-35 Rangipo > .. .. .. .. 10 .. 1,422 .. .. 2 .. 62 62 73 1,631 1,335 575 26-71 61-06 20-92 63-81 Inveroargill .. .. 1,823 | 2,664 727 5,658 .. .. 14 491 857 1,179 394 739 14,546 12,214 11,890 239 03 60-85 198-54 61-52 Napier .. .. .. 5 .. 4 26 458 .. .. 80 148 65 100 886 901 869 21 03 42-13 17-80 50-61 New Plymouth .. .. .. .. 68 270 1,601 8 66 359 136 86 2.594 2,650 2,834 62-06 41-79 63-03 42-04 Paparua .. .. .. 3,462 145, 91 2,094 174 2,120 .. .. 341 876 451 255 10,009 9,972 9,737 150-90 66-33 130-26 76-55 Point Halswell .. .. ......... 323 j .. I 670 52 351 r. 113 1,509 1.573 1,654 46-29 32-60 51-70 30-42 Waikeria .. .. .. 388 80 152 5,977 ! .. .. 317 .. 710 749 306 535 9,214 1 9,458 8,250 121-72 75-69 123-11 76-82 Waikune .. .. .. 184 .. 89 102 .. 5,946 136 414 242 83 543 7,739 8,384 9,520 77-52 99-83 84-37 99-37 Wanganui .. .. .. ..!.... 35 .. .. .. 248 132 109 73 597 619 1,090 31-10 19-19 31-45 19-68 Wellington .. .. 5,919 .. J 113 491 .. ; 8 906 50 1,450 810 62 551 10.360 1 8,654 6,323 . 138-55 74-77 120-76 71-66 WiTako .. .. .. 365, 48 j 68 2,786 .. .. 1,184 319 71 473 89 146 5,549 5,439 5,727 72-23 76-82 67-22 80-92 Minor gaols .. .. | 28 .. .. .. 292 149 27 .. 496 ! 381 379 39-24 12-64 33 11 20-06 Totals, 1927-28 .. .. 13,078 3,012 1 3,024 22,063 174 12,547 9,883 3,610 5,164 8,118 2,711 4,047 87,431 1 .. .. 1,489-75 58-69 Corresponding totals — 1926-27 .. .. 12,167 4,509 2,316 18,375 j 188 12,071 11,195 4,354 4,373 7,721 2,850 3,327 .. 83,446 .. .. .. 1,397-25 59-72 1925-26 .. .. 10,262 5,877 2,201 14,805: .. 12,409 8,842 8,200 3,952 7,246 2,834 2,952! .. j .. 79,580

Year Capital Works and Institutional j Tr . , Improvements. Industries. Maintenance. j j-oidi. - £ £ £ " £ 1927-28 .. .. .. 16,090 51,301 20,040 j 87,431 1926-27 .. .. .. 16,676 ! 48,499 18,271 ! 83,446 1925-26 .. .. .. 16,139 46,457 16,984 79,580 1924-25 .. .. .. 13,176 51,890 18,266 83,332 _ _ J_ J i

H— 20.

Table C. Table showing the Offences and Degree of Education of Distinct Convicted Prisoners received during the Year 1927.

Table D. Table showing the Actual Number of Distinct Convicted Prisoners received into Gaol during the Year 1927, classified according to Principal Offences, Birthplace, and Age.

37

nfFm)n«c Superior Able to read and Able to read Unable to Olte " oes - Education. write. only. read. Totals. . . . _ „ . Offences against the person— m. p. m. jt, j m. jr. m. f. m. , F. Convicted on indictment .. .. .. .. 81 2 ! 3 .. .. .. 84 2 Convicted summarily . . .. .. .. 104 2 .. .. .. .. 104 2 Offences against property— Theft and deceit .. .. .. 1 .. 822 27 3 .. j 6 i 832 27 Mischief .. .. 74 2 I .. .. 2 | .. 76 2 Miscellaneous offences Vagrancy* .. .. .. .. .. 298 60 .. .. 4 [ 1 302 61 Drunkenness .. .. .. 1 .. 358 16 .. .. 2 .. 361 16 Others .. .. .. . . 1 .. 808 24 ; 3 ... 6 .. 818 ' 24 Totals .. .. 3 .. 2,545 133 9 .. 1 20 1 2,577 134 Maoris included above .. .. .. .. 130 .. 3 8 .. 138 5 1 I ' I I- * Including importuning, consorting with rogues, &c.

Offences against the Offences against Person. Property. Miscellaneous. Totals. ° n 0 n Summarily Theft and Mischief VaTancv * Drunkenness t Other Indictment. evicted. Deceit. Mischiet. \agranc S . Drunkenness, t offences. Birthplaces— M. r. m. f. ' m. j f. m. f. m. if. m. f. m. if. m. f. England and Wales .. 17 .. 24 .. 146 j 4 12 1 61 4 82 2 152 ! .. 494 11 Scotland .. .. 5 10 .. ; 35 .. 2 23 1 47 1 43,; 1 165 3 Ireland .. .. 3 5 31 3 26 4 48 1 28 2 144 7 New Zealand .. 50 2 57 2 539 1 21 55 1 153 47 138 | 12 473 20 1,465 105 Australia .. .. 4 4 53 2 2 22 5 21 .. 49 1 155 8 Other British posses- 1 12 ; .. 1 5 .. 5 ; 8 32 sions China .. 1 | . j 1 .. .. .. . .. 29 31 Other countries .. 4 4 13 I . < i .. 12 .. 19 .. 34 86 At sea .. .. .. .. .. .. j .. .. .. .. .. .. | .. .. i .. Not stated .. 2 .. 1 j 2 5 Totals .. 84 2 104 2 I 832 I 27 76 2 302 61 361 1 16 818 24 2,577 134 1 —.— _ _ U—_,—_J Ages— 10 and under 12 years .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 „ 15 „ i I 15 ,, 20 „ 7 8 1 124 6 21 .. 6 9 .. 37 6 203 22 20 „ 25 „ 17 .. 12 .. : 164 4 17 .. 13 5 8; 119 1 350 10 25 ,, 30 17 1 21 .. 150 4 9 .. 26 5 21 125 4 369 14 30 „ 40 „ 14 .. 35 201 5 12 1 65 15 86 9 236 6 649 36 40 „ 50 „ 17 .. 21 128 6 8 1 77 18 109 3 187 6 547 34 50 ,, 60 ,, 10 1 5 1 53 2 7 .. 81 7 108 2 77 1 341 14 60 and over 2 2 10 2 33 2 29 2 35 113 4 Not stated .. 2 I 1 .. .. .. 2.. 5 ! : Totals .. 84 2 104 { 2 j 832 [ 27 j 76 J 2 302 j 61 361 ! 16 818 24 2,577 134 Maoris included above .. 6.. 6 | 1 69 3 8.. 7 1 5 I .. 37.. 138 5 | I ___! ! * Including importuning, consorting with rogues, &c. f It must be remembered that drunkenness is punished more by fine than by imprisonment, so that the figures in the gaol tables do not represent the full number of persons punished for that offence.

H.—2o.

Table E. PRISONS.—NEW-ZEALAND-BORN PRISONERS RECEIVED, 1927. Table showing the Number of Distinct New-Zealand-born Convicted Prisoners of each Sex (including Maoris) received during the Year 1927, classified according to Ages and Offences.

Table E1. PRISONS.—MAORI PRISONERS RECEIVED, 1927. Table showing the Number, Ages, and Offences of Distinct Convicted Maoris (Male and Female) received into the various Gaols during the Year 1927.

Table F. Table showing Distinct Persons imprisoned after Conviction during each of the last Ten Years.

38

j it , 0 _in 10 and 12 and 15 and 20 and 25 and j 30 and 40 and Not , , ■ unaer iu. un( j er 12. under 15. j under 20. under 25. under 30. under 40. upwards. stated. iotals< * Offences, : ' \ ] ! ' ' I I III II I" | 1 ' " M. ! F. i M. F. M. F. j M. j F. | M. F. M. j F. | M. F. ! M. F. M. F. M. F. , . - . . . Offences against the person — Convicted on indictment 7 .. 15 .. i 10 1 7 i .. 11 1 .. .. 50 2 Convicted summarily j 7 1 7 .. | 9 .. 23 .. 11 1 .. .. 57 2 Offences against property— Theft and deceit .. 1109 6 128 3 i 96 3 117 3 .88 6 1 .. 539 21 Mischief ....... j 19 .. 13 ..I 9 .. 7 1 7 55 1 Vagrancy* .. .. .. .. 4 8 11 5 16 3 38 12 83 19 1 153 47 Drunkenness .. 4 ..11 .. 36 6 87 6 .. .. 138 12 Other offences .. ; | 32 6 81 1 J 74 4 136 5 149 4 1 .. 473 20 Totals, 1927 | 178 21 J 259 9 | 225 11 364 j 27 436 37 3 j .. 1,465 j 105 Totals, 1926 .. J .. 1 ..168 20 288 12 j 215 6 326 | 23 455 49 1 I .. 1,454 [ 110 Totals, 1925 .. | 1 .. .. 76 23 184 8 184 10 281 11 437 34 3 .. 1,190 j 86 Totals, 1924 | .. .. 92 7 209 6 185 7 312 | 16 365 50 1 .. 1,164 96 Totals, 1923 .. .. .. 1 106 9 209 7 199 8 324 : 30 345 34 ' 1 I .. 1,184 89 * Including importuning, consorting with rogues, &c.

TTn<w in 10 anc * 1~ an( * 1® and 25 and 30 and 40 and Not T . , u under 12. under 15. under 20. under 25. under 30. under 40. j upwards. seated. totals. Offences. _ I j M. F. | M. | F. M. ; F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. | F. ■ -11 I 1 I 1 • 1 ; J I 1 I , | | j | j : I j Offences against the person — Convicted on indictment .. .. 1 •• 3 2 6 Summarily convicted .. .. .. .. .. j .3 .. 1 . . 2 .. .. 1 .. .. 6 1 Theft and deceit . . .. .. j 18 1 28 .. 11 1 9 .. 2 1 1 .. 69 3 Mischief .. • • • • • • ! 3 3 .. 1 .. 1 8 Vagrancy .. .. 2 2 1 1 .. 2 7 1 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. • • • • 1 • • 2 2 5 Other offences .. .. 1 .. | 11 .. 7 .. 7 .. 10 .. 1 37 Totals .. .. .. j .. .. j | 25 J 1 j 49 .. 24 2 22 | .. 16 j 2 2 .. |138 j 5

v=a ,. Pri ,„„„, Proportion pel-10,000 Y Priannni-s Proportion per 10,000 Yeal - Prisoners. of Mean Population. lea1 ' Prisoners. of Mean Population. | " — 1918 1,783 15-47 1923 2,358 17-75 1919 1,833 15-37 1924 2,405 17-78 1920 1,955 15-74 1925 2,890 20-88 1921 2,120 16-61 1926 2,755 19-49 1922 2,249 17-23 1927 2,711 18-84

H -20.

Table G. PRISONERS.— AGES AND SENTENCES. Table showing the Ages of Distinct Prisoners received under Sentence during the Year 1927, with Information as to Length of Sentence.

39

Total Length of Sentence. ■ A^ e * I Tjnder ! 1 Week 1 Month 1 3 Months 6 Months | 9 Months j 1 Year | 2 Years < 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years | 7 Years j 10 Years 12 Years 15 Years gn yearj . : and under and under and under and under | and under I and under j and under I and under and under and unde r j and under and under and under and under) , | Life, Totals. ■ I . • ; l.Month. 3 Months. | 6 Months. !) Months. | 12 Months, j 2 Years. | 3 Years, j 4Years. 5 Years. 7 Years, j 10 Years. |12Years. 15 Years. 20Years. ' M. F. M. p. M. F. M. P. I M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. I M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F.. M. F. M. F. 15 and under 16 .. .. 1 .. .. . . 3 .. 4 1 9 16 „ 17 .. .. 1 .. 2 j 4 4 .. 13 2 .. .. 1 .. - 25 2 17 „ 18 2 2 4 ! 6 9 4 19 1 43 4 18 „ 19 4 .. 11 .. 5 3 1_ } 1 5 1 13 3 21 2 .... 1 1 .. 65 7 19 „ 20 5 17 .. 10 .. 3 .. 5 1 12 7 5 1 1 .. 3 61 9 20 „ 21 4 5 .. i 15 .. 8 1 1 3 1 12 1 18 1 .* 67 3 21 „ 25 19 .. ; 68 .. 76 3 33 1 15 ..2 .. 22 1 21 2 21 7 284 7 25 „ 30 37 1 71 .. 100 5 52 3 24 1 3 1 22 1 28 .. 19 1 2 .. 6 2 .. 1 368* 14* 30 „ 35 43 2 61 5 83 2 42 3 30 2 1 23 .. 16 1 16 . . 7 .. 5 .. 2 330 14 35 ■ 40 50- 3 81 4 j 69 9 48 4 > 28 1 2 ..- 13 1 10 .. 9 .. 2 .. 1 .. 4 .. 1 1 ...... 319. 22 40 „ 45 53 2 52 1 , 58 8 43 6 ! 28 3 1.. 16 .. 13 .. 5 3 .. 1 .. 2 : .. 275 20 45 „ 50 67 1 52 2 61 1 49 6 I 17 1 1 .. 11 2 7 1 2 4 .. 1 272 14 .50 „ 55 49 .. 45 3 39 ., . 34 3 13 1 1 ., 6 .... 1 6 1 1 1 .. 194 10 55 60 50 1 24 .. 39 2 17 1 4 7 .. 3 .. 2 1 ..i~. 147 4 60 „ -65 17 1 11 .. 17 .. 10 .. 4 .. 59: 1 65 „ 70 I 8 5 1 11 .. 7 4 1 1 1 .. .... 37 2 70 „ 75 | 2 .. 1 .. 2 5 1 1 11 1 75 „ 80 2 1 1 .. 1 1 .. .. .. .. 6 .. 80 and over .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 4 .. .. .. Not stated .. .. .. 3 .. 1 .. 1 .... .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 5 Totals „ 412 11 512 16 592 30 356 29 170 7 12 2. 146 10 152 20 160 7 12 .. 35 .. 11 1 4 1 ..1 ..2,577*134* - ■ 1 — ; * Including one length of sentence indefinite.

H.—2o.

Table H. Return of Offences and Punishments for the Year ended 31st December, 1927.

Table I. Visits of the Visiting Justices to the Larger Institutions during the Year 1927.

Approximate Cost of Taper.—Preparation, not given; printing (750 copies), £60.

By Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92B.

Price 7s.]

40

Offences. Total Number „ . M : TWoi Number of Prisoners 8 ° n * Disobedience Other Offences of Prisoners in Custody oSs of Breaches of 0flel ' CeB ' | : the and Idleness. Regulations. I Year. Addington ...... 2 2 3 8 8 107 Auckland .. .. .. 38 47 100 185 150 2,128 Hautu ........ 3 1 4 | 4 67 Invercargill Reformatory .. 1 2 .. 3.1 101 Napier ...... 1 4 5 10 j 6 268 New Plymouth .. .. .. 7 21 28 22 208 Paparua .. .. .. 5 8 38 51 1 43 697 Rangipo ........ 1 1 2 1 41 Waikeria (Reformatory) 6 5 8 19 9 81 Waikune .. .. .. 15 12 28 55 j 44 146 Wanganui ...... 3 1 7 11 3 220 Wellington .. .. .. 1 14 74 89 59 1,093 WiTako .. .. .. 14 12 31 57 30 167 Borstal Institutions— Invercargill .. .. 10 24 113 147 113 351 Point Halswell .... 14 12 62 88 j 43 73 Waikeria .. .. . . 18 16 37 71 I 49 156 i To! als .. .. 129 170 " 529 828 585 5,904

• >> . <3 & Prisons and Visiting & g •*» d S a 'S Justices. 3 5 •§ •= - o • ' 3 ® •= § | ™ §'S§l&i-6 , l's5?8a e« <U JS fl a s 0? O O <B o fci *-s i-s in O £ P H Addington— H. A. Young, S.M .. .. 1 1 | "1 1 .. I .. 2 7 E. D. Mosley, S.M 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. . • j .. 2 Auckland— F. K. Hunt, S.M. .. 3 .. .. 2 4 6 3 .. 4 4 .. 1 27 W. R. McKean, S. M. .. 3 7 2 1 .. .. 3 2 4 5 .. 27 J. H. Hannan, V.J. ..1 .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 1 .. 2 6 Hautu— J. Cullen, V.J. .. ! 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. 2 Invercargill— j ] G. Cruickshank, S.M. .. 1 1 1 3 1 2 3 1 1 14 Napier— J. P. Thomson, V.J. 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 11.. 1 1 13 J. C. Stevens, V. J. .. 1 2 .. .. 3 .. 1 1 1 .. 1 1 11 New Plymouth— R. W. Tate, S.M. .. j 2 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 .. | 1 7 W. C. Weston, V.J. .. 1 .. j 1 .. 1 1 1 .. 1 6 C. H. Burgess, V.J. .. | .. .. 1 j .. 1 .. ! 1 .. .. .. 3 Paparua— W. J. Jenkin, V.J. .. 2 1 1 1 1 1 7 G. P. Kissel, V.J. .. 1 .. 1 1 i .. 2 1 . . 6 E. D. Mosley, S. M 1 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 3 J. Leslie, V.J. .. 1 .. I l l .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. 5 H. A. Young, S. M 1 .. .... .. .. ., .. .. .. .. 1 Point Halswell — I. Salek, V.J. .... 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 .. 6 2 18 Rangipo— J. Cullen, V.J. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. 1 .. 1 Wailceria— S. H. Dunkley, V.J .. .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. .. 4 Waikune— J. Cullen, V.J. .. 2 1 .. 1 1 1 1 .. .. 7 E. S. Merriken, V.J .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. 1 3 Wanganui— J. S. Barton, S.M. .. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 3 J. Driver, V.J. .... .. 1 1 .. .. 1 1 1 .. I 2 8 Wellington— I. Salek, V.J. .... 2 3,3 2 3 2 1 j 4 2 1 1 24 D. C. Bates, V.J. ..3 2 2 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 20 IV i Tako— P. Robertson, V. J. .. 2 .. 1 1 1 2 .. .. .. 1 2 1 11 W. Greig, V. J. .. 1 .. j .. .. .. .. ,. .. .. .. 1 A. Strang, V. J. .. .. 2 i .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 1 . : i__