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I I MUTUAL CaiMINALS. Thirty-four habitual criminals were recommended Eor release on probation, and oi these 27 were released before the end of the year ; 3 habitual criminals on probation were recommended for discharge Of those released on probation, I left New Zealand with the Reinforcements, I were returned to prison for fresh offences or for breaches of their licenses. 3 Left the Dominion lor their former domiciles. leaving 19 reporting to the Probation Officers at the end of the year. RkKOKMATIVK-DETKNTION CASES. Sixty-five persons of this class were recommended for release on probation, and of this number 62 were released before the end of the year. One refused probation and was discharged on the expiration of his sentence. Twenty-nine persons who had been recommended for release in the previous year were also released, making a, total of 91 for the twelve months. Two were discharged from prison. Of those released on probation, 2 were returned to prison lor fresh offences or lor breaches c>l their licenses: 1 female was sent to Mount Magdala Home, and another to the Tokanui Mental Hospital ; 23 joined the Expeditionary Forces, of whom 12 lefi Hie Dominion with Reinforcements; 1 deserted from Trenthani Camp; 2 were discharged from camp medically unfit for active service, and S were demobilized after the signing of the Armistice; 3 left the Dominion for their former domiciles: 24 (exclusive of Expeditionary Force men) completed their terms of probation : leaving 37 still reporting at the end of the year, Hard-labour Cases. Seventeen hard-labour prisoners were recommended for release on probation under the provisions of section 14 of the Statute Law Amendment Act, 1917. Fifteen of these were released during the year, of whom 3 completed the period of their probation. One left New Zealand with the Reinforcements, leaving II still reporting at the end of the year. General Review of the Board's Work. The Board has now been in existence for eight years, and it may be of interest to state the scope of its operations during that period. If is only since last year that it has dealt with more than two classes of prisoners ; prior to that time its jurisdiction was confined to reformative-detention prisoners and habitual criminals. The following table (15) shows the number of cases under the former heading which have been dealt with since the Board was established by the Act of 1910 : — Table B. — Reformative-detention Gases, Total number sentenced to reformative detention . . . . . . . . .. 1,102 Released on recommendation of Board . . . . . . . . . . . . 812 Discharged from reformatories on completion of sentence. . .. .. 35 Died while undergoing sentence . . . . . . . . . . 17 Remaining in reformatories on 31st December. 1918 .. .. .. .. 238 1 , 102 Total number released as above .. .. .. . . . . .. 847 Of whom — Returned to reformatories for non-compliance with conditions of release . . 1(> Returned to reformatories for further offences . . . . . . . . 39 Returned for offences committed alter discharge or expiry of period of probation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 46 Absconded and not traced . . . . . . . . .. 17 Died . . .. .. .. .. .. _ . . . . 3 Left Dominion to return to former domiciles . . . . . . . . 9 Known to have been killed in action while on active service . . . . 3 Committed to Rotoroa . . .. .. .. . . . . 1 Committed to mental hospital. . . . . . . . 2 Committed to Mount Magdala Home .. .. .. .. .. 1 Reporting on probation at 31st December, 1918 .. .. ..62 Number who have not offended since their discharge or expiration of period of probation, and presumably doing well .. .. .. 618 — 847 Of the number returned to reformatories, 36 individuals were returned twice, 14 three times, 2 four times, and 1 five times. It is noticeable that the percentage of persons who have, so far as is known, ceased to be public offenders slightly exceeds 72 per cent, of the total number released, and if the number of those still on probation be added—as they have not committed fresh offences this increases the proportion to 80 per cent. A large number of the fresh offences committed after release is attributed, by the offenders themselves, to alcohol.

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