H—2o A

1939. NEW ZEALAND.

PRISONS BOARD (ANNUAL REPORT OF) FOR 1938.

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

Members of the Board. Hon. Sir Hubert Ostler, Kt. (President); Sir Donald McGavin, Kt., C.M.G., D.5.0., M.D. (Lorid.), F.R.C.S. (Eng.); Hon. John Alexander, C.M.G., M.L.C. ; B. L. Dallard, Esq. ; Tiieo. G. Gray, Esq., 0.M.G., M.8., M.P.C. ; Mrs. A. I. Fraer, M.B.E. ; and W. G. Riddell, Esq.

Sir, — 20th July, 1939. I have the honour to forward herewith the report of the Prisons Board for the year 1938. I have, &c., H. H. Ostler, The Hon. the Minister of Justice. President.

REPORT OP THE PRISONS BOARD. For the Year ended 31st December, 1938. The Board has to report that during the year it visited each of the prisons, prison camps, and Borstal institutions in the Dominion. It dealt with a total of 954 cases at sixteen meetings held in Wellington and at the various institutions. The following summary gives details of the cases considered and the decisions arrived at:— Cases dealt with. Board's Decisions. Persons undergoing Borstal detention .. 294 Recommended for release on probation .. 381 Persons sentenced to reformative detention 255 Deferred for later consideration . . . . 499 Persons sentenced to hard labour . . . . 307 Petitions declined . . . . . . 27 Habitual criminals .. .... .. 53 Recommended for discharge .. . . 22 Habitual offenders .. .. .. 1 Discharged from probation .. . . 22 Habitual criminals for remission of head Recommended remission of head sentence .. 2 sentence .. . . . . .. 2 Modification of terms of probation . . 1 Probationers under Crimes Amendment Act 16 Probationers under Offenders Probation Act 26 954 954 As you are aware, Sir, for the greater part of the period covered by this report I was absent on sick-leave. During this period —that is, from the 2nd February, 1938, until the end of the year the Hon. Sir John Reed, Kt., C.8.E., was acting-President of the Board. It is with regret the Board records the retirement of Sir John Reed and W.G. Riddell, Esq. Sir John occupied the position of President of the Board from the 10th October, 1928, until the date of his retirement as a permanent Judge. Mr. Riddell for private reasons resigned at the expiration of his appointed term. The Board has to express its appreciation of the services rendered by these gentlemen. Both were profoundly interested in the work of the Board, and gave their time, at considerable personal sacrifice, willingly and liberally in this connection.