OFFENDERS PROBATION UNDER OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT, 1920, AND CRIMES AMENDMENT ACT, 1910 (REPORT ON OPERATION OF), FOR THE YEAR 1932-33.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1933 Session I, H-20b

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1933. NEW ZEALAND.

OFFENDERS PROBATION UNDER OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT, 1920, AND CRIMES AMENDMENT ACT, 1910 (REPORT ON OPERATION OF), FOR THE YEAR 1932-33.

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

The Hon. the Minister of Justice to His Excellency the Governor-General. Sir, — Wellington, I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Chief Probation Officer on the operations of the Offenders Probation Act for the year ended 31st December, 1932. I have, &c. John G. Cobbe, Minister of Justice.

The Chief Probation Officer to the Hon. the Minister of Justice. Sir, — I have the honour to present my annual report on the working of the probation system under the Offenders Probation Act and the Crimes Amendment Act for the year ended 31st December, 1932. I append also statistical tables summarizing the results of the year's operations, and an epitome of the reports from the principal District Probation Officers. The reports from the Probation Officers and the statistics show that despite the conditions generally prevailing, particularly the unemployment difficulties, the results are highly satisfactory in respect of the conduct of the probationers, their response to the probationary conditions imposed, and in regard to the amount of restitution made. The total number of cases dealt with during the year was 2,212, an excess over the previous year of 167. This total is made up of 901 new admissions and 1,309 who were on the register at the beginning of the year. Of the total dealt with, only 209, or approximately 10 per cent., failed to conform to the requirements of their probationary license ; and, in regard to reparation, the total sum of £2,638 15s. lid., representing restitution-moneys and Court costs, was collected from probationers. This amount of reparation exceeds by £210 the sum collected last year. This is quite an achievement considering the circumstances in which the majority of probationers are placed, and is evidence not only of the salutary effects of probation, but also of the patient persistence of the Probation Officers. A total sum of £54,903, representing restitution-moneys and costs of prosecution, has been collected since the inception of the scheme, the greater proportion of which represents reparation to victims of crimes. Although the cash aspect is secondary to the human consideration, this is a positive feature of probation as compared with imprisonment, where the victim receives nothing and the offender becomes a charge on the community. Probation was first adopted in New Zealand in 1886 on the passing of the First Offenders Probation Act. Until the passing of the Offenders Probation Act, 1920, probation was applied exclusively to first offenders, but since the latter Act came into force the admission of any offender to probation has been a matter entirely for the discretion of the Courts.

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meets the circumstances of the a f! 1 flW;u/t S^ nt j® nc ® " nd whether probation adequately »d £ XSpttOSSESI&tt ""in'hk d 0 Tf ice - % repugnant to the standards of a healthy communitv Q Pn J f * V regard leniency is as equally from these standards either gives rise to a clamorous demand"? a V"* ue seve rity. A departure other hand, brings the processes of the law into disrespect. vindictive punishment, or, on the as a practical and scientific m^!dof\reatmert C de^^ned Ut rega^ ded , in all enlighte ned countries the whole of the facts and circumstales Tthe eValuation <> f nature and quality of the offence, and the likelihood of ht ® t ? P ersonallt y of the offender, the supervision. The rationale is that if the ends of instirpL^lsatisfactory response to probationary an offender can be placed under vd lance on n b ? extra " mural methods, and his family, and possibly make reparadorto hr th! 8 th ? * UMe him t( > SU appropriate than imprisonment. adoption of such a course is more should be strictly 18 most desirable that the conditions of full compliance with the " T° at - 5 but the tmc,■ £rtta.Wjrit the oversight is to be rt nil const™,fve .ndTefeM *** of probationers, say, from lorty'to'stoy'" """ 6 """ " limi,ed nu,nb,!r for the formation of Voluntary Probation Committee* ™!? arran S® ments were made a few years ago m finding work and maintaining oveStofZTatione7s Th?^ 618 asslst Probati °» Officers and during the past few years when the matter of seenn'rm T u W ° rked with B reat success, difficulty these committees have rendered invaluable nublf/r loyment has been one of the utmost a large body of voluntary helpers, andthe firm r' 8 mamly to the offorte of probation by those exercising supervision that the snmll +° Co ™P lance Wlt h the conditions of The Crimes Amendment Act Sfa low hT , P g ' has been due. the year on the recommendation of the Prisons Board toTth™ ° n . P robati ™ during breaches of the conditions of their license but thirtv • . j W T rec ommitted to prison for had their licenses cancelled for habitual criminals, dischargees are faced in rehabilitating themselves ' the sm ,]! t dl ®^" ltles wit} > which these as satisfactory. The effectiveness of the present method of Lr 1 fall "res must be regarded the fact that during the five years ended 31 st December last 1 lfi'l nns 1 " , ° a *j® ma - y be judged from were released on probation, and durin.r this period onlv i, ,',l5 P SOners (excluding habitual criminals) to prison for failing to comply with hIi y T ° r «" 3 P er cent., were returned probation, and only 26 per cent, have agtinZ£ ofWs whilst <» I desire again to place on record the J subsequent to discharge. of the Magistrates who act as Chairmen of the Voluntlrv^T^ 011 n the ?? m P athetic co-operation the individual members of the several committees , Probation Committees, and also to tbank officer, „f ,hc Sal vat Army! «d the 222*6? iS f Aitl <W itss&sasa.'- * valuable service rendered by the PoHcf alS ° ° f B. L. Dallard, Chief Probation Officer.

AN EPITOME OF REPORTS OF DISTRICT PROBATION OFFICERS. Mr. W. J. Campbell, District Probation Officer, Auckland Offenders Probation Act: Total dealt with -ra. w i . , moneys collected, £428 12s. 4d. ' ' costs of prosecution and restitution Ihe total number of defaulters waq • * dealt with. The majority of the probationers were re" rit ° f total DUmber As in the past three years, many probationers Dartiriilarh tl ' e P or ted regularly as required. *"' M " findi,,g the conduct of those men released from d r' ng P® ™ 8 ?8 ' ° n the whole in obtaining employment, and the majority of these probationer Great difficulty was experienced works. 1 y nese Probationers were employed on local relief

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Mr - T " P " MILL8 ' District Probation Officer, Wellington. moneys collected, £343 2d. T ° tal W ' th ' 228 ' total costs of prosecution and restitutionlias been satisfactory, the percentage nf fm'lur 1 • 11 conduct of probationers generally 2r%Site£ The difficulty of obtaining satisfactnrv em 1 1. 1 d to them in their release on parole Probation Committee, bu , thelr »^p. tei /o„-op P ,S ll .^S Off ri i) 1 Mr ' W ' H ' DARBY ' District Prolmtlon Officer, Christchurch. moncv/cdteed^lM 0 8d ™** ™ th ' 204 ■ toWI •— - P«~ti» .»d restitutions * p, Trs h ° - »**«*. gr&jr *? ■■ Tie r*» *» -s Ssaf sb the ye "- c,ty wlich h *™ be » io * p«">» «> assist us have rendered Mr - J - Garbutt, District Probation Officer, Dunedin. Unenders Probation Act: Total dealt with IS9* +ofni 4- r moneys collected, £218 2s. 6d. ' otal costs of prosecution and restitutionCrimes Amendment Act: Total dealt with was 54 ok, JSs Y tu b ;,'r d " ,toi " !h «»» <°™ » proceedings for breaches of probation. percentage of failures represented through rehabilitation, nevertheless, there iTevidenc*> 'i n 'm'livid w,,'"'"" d U £ 1,1 the present difficult question of an incentive to make good has been brought cases where, under most difficult conditions, make an effort on righ't lines " wh ° * I"*"* * fruits of true reform and who count it worth while to peSst in eE eDC ° Urage ** it in its ° f enc °uragement that can be given Off „ , Majok Gordon, Probation Officer for Women, Auckland. moneys collected, TOt Wlth ' 57 ' total Costs of P rose cution and restitutioncoming"Se~Kel^£rS I™T ** "*** ° f system is an excellent one for the assistance of women and girl eVer C ° nVmCed that the Off r> f' 88 A ' J " SIMPSON ' Probation Officer for Women, Wellington. money!tlSted:tri n 7s AC 6d: 55 = total CoSte of P***ution and restitutionto unemployment, I find it very difficult Court costs would serve no useful purpose md the J H Probationers for default in paying probationers concerned are in a posiS to pay 7 a ' ternatlVe 18 to action until the .»d "e*"' 2 "™ B S«»e,ou. help e,tended to unemployed giri , Mr " H " CoLE > Probation Officer, Palmerston North. Unenders Probation Act: Total dealt with ««•+„<. i moneys collected, £54 14s. > L > total costs of prosecution and restitutionThe prevailing conditions have made it difficult to finrl 0 „;+„ui , and, consequently, the payment of restitution has been 'iflWtol tu em P !o > r . rnent for probationers, have fulfilled the conditions of their licenses satisfactorily. ' majority of the probationers Mr. M. Cussen, Probation Officer, Nelson mo4?°ofetS? «i 0 5s A M To '" nnmber de *" " ,h ' 50 ■ «-» °f prosecution and „,««<,»- di«o^™ e hid^*xtt4ii h b r D " d " *• p"--' »- the Voluntary Committee and local social organizations. '''' ' a PP reclate the co-operation of

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Mr. G. McKessar, Probation Officer, Timaru. Offenders Probation Act: Total number dealt with, 34 ; total costs of prosecution and restitutionmoneys collected, £32 13s. 6d. Considering the very difficult year through which we have just passed, I think that the system of probation has amply justified itself. The greatest difficulty during the year has been that of finding suitable employment for the various probationers, but I have always managed to find at least some kind of employment. Mr. C. G. L. Pollock, Probation Officer, Invercargill. Offenders Probation Act: Total number dealt with, 52 ; total amount of costs of prosecution and restitution-moneys collected, £70 16s. lOd. Crimes Amendment Act: Number dealt with, 15. During the year the conduct of probationers has been quite satisfactory. Practically the only work offering has been under the unemployment scheme. If it were not for the provision made by the State to find work for the unemployed, the position would have been serious for the probation system during the past year. I have to express my appreciation of the sympathetic interest taken in probationers by the Chairman and members of the Voluntary Probation Committee. Mr. W. Dineen, Probation Officer, New Plymouth. Offenders Probation Act: Total number dealt with, 48 ; total costs of prosecution and restitutionmoneys collected, £63 19s. 3d. The greatest problem of probation work during the year has been the finding of work for those requiring help. The amendment to the Probation Act whereby a probationer who is unable to meet the payments ordered in terms of his release is allowed an extended period in which to find the money without having to go to Court and have another conviction recorded against him is much appreciated, and is a great help under present circumstances. Mr. E. Ching, Probation Officer, Wanganui. Offenders Probation Act: Total number dealt with, 69 ; total costs of prosecution and restitutionmoneys collected, £54 9s. Id. Trouble is experienced in obtaining employment for probationers, and in this respect I am pleased to say that out of all the probationers on the register there are but three now on relief work. Again it is my pleasure to thank the Voluntary Probation Committee for their assistance. Mr. H. N. Richardson, Probation Officer, Gisborne. Offenders Probation Act: Total number dealt with, 80 ; total costs of prosecution and restitutionmoneys collected, £55 19s. I wish to thank the Voluntary Probation Committee for their co-operation during the year, also the Labour Department and Y.M.C.A. for their assistance in placing younger probationers. Mr. T. Stocker, Probation Officer, Napier. Offenders Probation Act: Total number dealt with, 62 ; total costs of prosecution and restitutionmoneys collected, £77 19s. 6d. The adverse economic conditions and the consequent prevailing unemployment has had a marked effect on the amount of reparation-money collected, but notwithstanding those conditions the amount collected may be considered very satisfactory, especially as the majority of the probationers are employed on relief work. It is pleasing to be able to record that the conduct of the probationers has been good, and that only on two occasions was it necessary to bring offenders before the Court for breaches of their licenses. Crimes Amendment Act: Number dealt with, 19. The conduct of these probationers has been satisfactory without exception.

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STATISTICS. OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT, 1920. Ages and Terms of Probation of the Offenders admitted to Probation during the Year 1932.

: ! I ! i i i I Summary op Cases dealt with during the Year 1932. Admitted to Deferred . -it , . , T , Probation. Sentence. JN umber reporting Ist January, 1932 .. .. .. 1,173 136 1 309 Admitted to probation during 1932 .. .. .. '726 175 '901 Resumed probation during the year (previously struck off) .. 2 .. 2 Totals •• •• .. 1,901 311 2,212 Completed probation during 1932 .. 522 112 634 Discharged by Prisons Board .. .. .. 10 1 11 Deceased .. .. .. ~ 3 2 Left the Dominion .. .. .. 6 8 Absconded and not traced (term expired) .. .. .. 10 2 12 Resentenced on original charge .. .. .. 42 13 55 Committed further offences ... .. 50 6 56 Totals „ .. 643 136 779 Number reporting 31st December, 1932 .. .. ..1,258 175 1 433 Breaches or Conditions of Release Committed during 1932. Failed to report, &c. .. .. .. _ '^gcT'' Committed further offences . . .. . . " jq3 Absconded (still untraced) .. .. jg 209 Costs of Prosecution and Restitution-moneys collected during the Year ended 31st March 1932. £ 8 d Amount of costs of prosecution collected by Probation Officers .. 458 14 0 Amount of restitution-moneys collected .. .. .. .. 2,180 1 11 Total •• •• -• •• .. £2,638 15 11

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Age, in Years. Months ,? ne Eighteen Two Three Four Five „ . , or under. Year - Months. Years. Years. Years. Years, j lofcaI - Under 20 years of age 12 79 4 76 27 1 199 20 and under 25 9 101 4 82 25 2 1 224 25 »» 30 7 34 2 47 7 .. 97 30 „ 40 .. 11 45 1 40 8 i 106 40 » 50 5 23 1 32 6 67 50 .» 60 ..3 13 .. 6 2 .. " 24 60 and over .... 2 3 3 1 g TotaIs • • 49 298 12 286 76 3 2 726

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Offences for which Offenders received the Benefits of the Probation Act during the Year ended 31st December, 1932.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (700 copies), £6 15s.

By Authority: G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington—l 933. Price. 6d. J

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Offences for which Offenders received the Benefits of the Probation Act during the Year ended 31st December, 1932. Offence. "Vroblu ini!° Deferred Sentence. Total. Theft .. .. .. .. .. 430 91 521 False pretences .. .. .. .. 53 19 72 Breaking, entering, and theft .. ., 64 .. 64 Receiving stolen property ...... 31 5 36 Unlawful conver-ion of property .... 27 1 28 Common assault .. .. .. .. 11 9 20 Vagrancy .. .. .. .. .. 16 3 19 Forgery and uttering ...... 13 1 14 Attempted suicide .. .. .. .. 5 8 13 Breach of probation .. .. .. 9 2 11 Mischief and wilful damage .. .. .. 8 2 10 Indecent language .. .. .. .. 3 6 9 Drunk in charge of a vehicle .. .. .. 8 .. 8 False declaration .. .. .. .. 2 6 8 Carnal knowledge .. .. .. .. 4 3 7 Unlawfully on premises ...... 4 2 6 Indecent act .. .. .. .. 4 1 5 Concealment of birth .. .. .. 4 .. 4 Indecent assault .... .. .. 4 .. 4 Obscene exposure .. .. .. .. 4 .. 4 Negligent driving' . ...... 1 3 4 Sheep and cattle stealing .. .. .. 3 .. 3 Abduction .. .. .. .. .. 3 .. 3 Offences under Post and Telegraph Act .. 3 .. 3 Released under section 15 (in lieu of bail) .. 3 .. 3 Ill-treating animals .. .. .. .. 2 1 3 Disorderly behaviour .. .. .. 3 3 Fighting .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Arson .. .. .. .. .. 2 .. 2 Bigamy .. .. .. .. .. 1- 1 2 Breach of prohibition order ...... 1 1 2 Breach of Bankruptcy Act .. .. .. 1 Supplying noxious drug .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Intimidation .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Inciting lawlessness .. .. .. .. .. 1 Stowing away .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 Helpless drunkenness .. .. .. .. 1 Unlawfully presenting firearms .... .. 1 1 Totals .. .. .. 726 175 901 Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (700 copies), £6 15s. By Authority: G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington—1933. Price. 6d. J