H.—208

It is found that the best results are obtained when offenders are sent into the country districts immediately on release ; only in special cases where the individual has a home to return to, or has a suitable situation awaiting him, is it desirable to permit residing in town, where the temptations are too alluring. Instances are known where probationers under these circumstances were reverting to vicious ways, when a change of environment proved a deciding factor in rehabilitation. No branch of the work calls for greater consideration and patience than dealing with the individual who has been cut off from the outside world for some time and has regained his liberty. Standing on the threshold of a new life, he is generally desirous of retrieving his career, but the situation is fraught with risk, and success or failure is generally determined at the outset. It cannot be too strongly emphasized that careful preparation, anticipating every need, should be exercised, especially with regard to the nature of the employment the emancipated person is to engage in. The best results are obtained where it has been made a special condition of release that certain employment must be entered into. Where this is not done there is danger that, on the slightest pretext, the probationer gives up the situation and starts moving about, becomes restless, and is disinclined to settle down again to steady work. That way leads towards downfall. Mr. T. P. Mills, Probation Officer, Wellington. During the year just ended 230 probationers passed through my hands : this exceeds last year's total by almost 40. At the beginning of the year there, were 99 offenders, 80 were placed on probation during the year, 51 were transferred from other districts. The removals were made up as follows : 63 completed the period of probation, 68 were transferred to other districts, 2 left the Dominion permanently, 1 was discharged by the Prisons Board, 5 were committed to the Borstal Institution, 6 were imprisoned, leaving 85 on the register at the end of the year. The failures were numerically the same as last year, but with a slightly improved percentage. This, which works out at about 5 per cent, of those dealt with, must be regarded as satisfactory. The tendency has increased to extend probation, which has, of course, multiplied the difficulties of the. Probation Officer; but in the majority of instances the response has been good, and the action of the Courts justified. This more than compensates for the many problems that arise ; and do not the difficulties rather tend to produce efficiency ? It will be noticed that several who failed were committed to the Borstal Institution. In two instances there was no actual offence committed other than persistent failure to report, and an otherwise defiant attitude towards other conditions of release. In those cases where it has been found necessary to prosecute for breach of probation an exemplary sentence is productive of much good. Several defaulters will at once report or make an effort to pay an instalment of moneys due. In this latter connection there was over £420 paid during the year. When it is considered that the amounts collected vary from 2s. 6d. per week upwards, it may easily bo seen that this involves a certain amount of trouble. These weekly payments, however, act as a very wholesome corrective, and bring the Probation Officer more into contact with these men than anything else. And it is that which gives the system its success. The personal touch is the only thing to raise the moral standard in any walk of life, and it is very gratifying to see such a large proportion of the incipient criminal class steadied and remodelled by the reception of better ideals of life.

STATISTICS. OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT. Ages and Terms of Probation of the Offenders admitted to Probation during the Year 1925.

6

Six Age, i„ Y„«. On, Y„. gg- j ■ ToW. I | I | | 10 and under 15 .. .. 6 .. 3 2 .. .. 11 15 „ 20 .. 12 72 6 71 46 3 2 212 20 „ 25 .. 2 57 3 66 26 2 3 159 25 „ 30 3 31 1 45 16 .. 2 98 30 „ 40 5 48 1 31 19 1 1 106 40 „ 50 ..4 14 1 21 .5 .. 2 47 50 „ 60 .... 5 .. 11 1 .. .17 60 „ 70 .. 3 2 .. 2 .. .. j .. 7 70 and over .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. ! 1 Totals .. 29 235 12 250 116 6 10 658 1 I I