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1930. NEW ZEALAND

PRISONS DEPARTMENT (REPORT ON) FOR THE YEAR 1929-30.

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

The Hon. the Minister in Charge op the Prisons Department to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral. Wellington, 12th August, 1930. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Prisons Department for the year 1929-30. I have, &c., John G. Cobbe, Minister in Charge of Prisons Department. The Controller-General op Prisons to the Hon. the Minister in Charge op the Prisons Department. Sir, — I have the honour to present the annual report of the Prisons Department covering the financial year ended the 31st March, 1930, 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 year ended 31st December, 1929. Prison Population.—Comparative Statistics. The statistical tables appended to this report show that, notwithstanding the depressed industrial and economic conditions which undoubtedly have a marked influence on the amount of crime, the slight downward trend noticed during the past few years has been maintained. The comparison with last year is summarized as follows : —• Total Number of Prisoners dealt with. 1928. 1929. Decrease. Number in detention at beginning of year .. .. .. 1,549 1,484 65 Number received during the year .. .. .. .. 5,133 5,076 57 Number discharged or transferred .. .. .. .. 5,198 5,165 33 Number in prison at end of year .. .. .. .. 1,484 1,395 89 The daily average number of prisoners in custody was sixty-one less than for the previous year. A comparative table showing new prisoners received and also the daily average of prisoners in custody, and the ratio to each 10,000 of the general population, for the past five years is set out hereunder : — „ ,■ Ratio to 10,000 Daily Average Year " Receptions. of Popu i ation . in g uatody a 1925 .. .. .. ..4,713 34-15 1324-25 1926 .. .. .. .. 4,600 32-62 "1366-25 1927 .. .. .. ..4,664 32-17 1458-16 1928 .. .. .. .. 4,364 31-18 1499-58 1929 .. .. .. ..4,357 30-68 1438-26

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