9

H.—2o

There have been several changes in the stafi of the prison during the year, due to resignations, transfers, dismissal, the termination of the services of three probationary officers, and the transfer of the official head of the prison. The male subordinate staff now stands at 34 officers, which includes 1 temporary officer. The female officers are the Matron and 1 temporary assistant matron. At Fort Cautley Prison there were 20 prisoners up till the 30th May, and 30 for th« remainder of the year, making an average of 25'91 stationed there. Good progress has been made on the fortification-works, including making of gunpits, magazines, &c, also roadmaking, stone-breaking, Ac. The , female prisoners have been employed, as in former years, washing and the making and repairing of prison clothing. The First Offenders' Probation Act. There were 10 males and 2 females on probation on the Ist January, 1911. During the year 18 males were sentenced to various terms of probation (13 at the Supreme Court and 5 at the Magistrate's Court), and 5 were transferred from other districts, making a total of 35. 5 males and 2 females, total 7, whose terms of probation expired during the year, carried out the conditions of their licenses satisfactorily; 3 absconded; 1 received a sentence for another offence committed during his term of probation, and also was sentenced for the breach of his license of conditional liberty; and 7 were transferred to other districts; total, 18; leaving 17 males on probation at the end of the year. In addition to these there were also 5 habitual criminals on probation, 2 of whom were transferred here during the year, and, I may add, have so far carried out the conditions of their licenses satisfactorily. I have, &c, H. McMurrat, Acting-Gaoler and Probation Officer. The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington.

DUNEDIN PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, Dunedin, 14th January, 1912. I have the honour to submit to you the annual report on this prison for the year ended 31st December, 1911, and also to forward the usual returns, expenditure, &c. I was appointed Gaoler here in November last, and commenced my duties in that capacity on the 13th of that month. There were in confinement on the Ist January, 1911, 51 males and 7 females; the numbers received were 280 males, 34 females, and represent 247 and 28 individual persons of the respective sexes. Discharges during the same period numbered 302 males, 38 females, leaving 29 males and 3 females in custody on the last day of the j r ear. The daily average was 39"50 males and 3'22 females; the greatest number of both sexes at one time was 56, and the least number 29. The conduct, health, and industry of prisoners was good. Seven males underwent secondary punishment —bread-and-water diet —for breaches of the regulations, all minor offences. There were no aggravated prison offences. Two males, one suffering from an affection of the eyes, and the other from Hodkgins' disease, were sent to the District Hospital for curative treatment, and at the close of the year were still inmates of that institution. One female was also treated there for uterine disease, cured, and discharged in the ordinary course. The daily average sick was o'7l. _ There were no lunatics committed, and no prisoners declared habitual criminals. At the Supreme Court 14 males and 2 females were sentenced to be detained for reformative purposes for periods of from twelve months to five years; 6 of the number, including 1 female, were awarded hard-labour sentences of three months to two years in addition. There were no reformative cases received from the lower Courts. The quality of the rations was good, and there were no complaints from prisoners. This also applies to all necessaries supplied by the contractors, who carried out the conditions imposed in every respect. , In the city, prisoners were employed making coir mats, and m keeping the prison, the Supreme Court, the police-station, and the grounds of these institutions in order. At Taiaroa Heads, where 18 prisoners were stationed throughout the year, a considerable amount of good work was done, some of which was as follows: Battery at Howlett Point completed; removal of the obsolete 7 in. guns, accessories, ammunition, &.c, from Harrington Point; putting in waterservice from reservoir to 6 in. battery; keeping in order some one mile and a half of the Heads Road; clearing slips; repairing sea-wall, &c. The Government buildings —viz., prison, Artillery Barracks, telephone-station, and two cottages —were put in thorough repair, cleaned, and received three coats of paint inside and out, the outbuildings being similarly treated. Cartage of all supplies and material of every description for the Defence, Public Works, and Marine Departments was done by prison labour. The female prisoners were employed at washing and laundrywork, and keeping their division clean. _ Divine service was conducted each Sunday, either by Mr. Cummmg, the prison chaplain, or some clergyman or member of one of the Churches. The officers' conduct was good, and they carried out their duties satisfactorily.

2—H. 20.