H.—2o,

An examination of the Court statistics show that under the heading " Offences against the Person " there has been a slight increase in the number of cases of common assault, unlawful carnal knowledge, and indecent assault. Under the heading " Offences against Property " there has been a decrease in the number of offences for burglary and false pretences, but against this there has been an increase in breaking and entering, receiving, forgery, and theft, the latter being fairly substantial and representing approximately 100 additional receptions to prison. It is rather interesting to observe that a similar increase in England in shop-breaking, &c., and thieving, has been the subject of some speculation as to the cause —i.e., whether or not it is in any way attributable to war conditions. It is not thought that this factor had any material bearing on the situation in the Dominion. It is rather due to a general slipping in moral standards. Under the heading " Offences against Good Order," as already noted, drunkenness plays a prominent part. It is interesting to observe a diminution in the number of broaches of maintenance orders. At the same time, it is to be noted that the number of persons committed to prison under this heading is still high and represents approximately one-fifth of the total commitments. In view of the generally improved social conditions and the facilities for employment, it is also surprising to find that there were no fewer than 555 convictions for vagrancy, 181 resulting in imprisonment. Stowaways and ships deserters have substantially increased, and these also helped to swell the list of commitments.

Nationality of Offenders.

It will be observed that in all groups there has been an increase, but the highest percentage increase is of Maori offenders. Although there is not an increase in serious crimes, it is unsatisfactory to note that the number of Maoris committed to prison for vagrancy and drunkenness increased from 31 to 54.

Ages of Offenders.

It will be observed that, although there has been a general increase in each group, the increase has been the highest amongst those between twenty-five and thirty years of age, and they are comprised mainly of prisoners grouped under the heading "Offences against Good Order." Punishment and Infractions of Discipline. Capital Punishment.—No executions took place during the year. Floggings.—One prisoner was sentenced by the Court to a term of seven years' hard labour and a flogging of ten strokes for indecent assault on a female child, but the sentence of flogging was subsequently quashed by the Court of Appeal. Escapes.—There were fewer escapes than usual during the year. Eighteen prisoners and ten Borstal detainees escaped from custody, and all were recaptured. Borstal Receptions included in the Prisons Statistics. One hundred and seventeen male and eleven female Borstal detainees were received direct from the Courts during the year, while 1 male and 1 female were transferred under section 12 of the Prevention of Crime Act from a prison to Borstal. Health of Prisoners. The health of prisoners has been uniformly good throughout the year. The daily average on the sick list was 12-29 which represents 1-3 per cent, of the daily average in custody. There were 58 admissions to the public hospitals, and there was 1 death recorded during the year, that of a prisoner who died in the Auckland Prison of diabetic coma. The Medical Officers, in addition to undertaking the care of the sick, examine all prisoners before transfer from the city prisons to the farms and camps. Where it is considered that a mental examination would assist in the treatment of the prisoner, this is arranged through the Mental Hospitals Department, to which authority the Prisons Department is deeply indebted for the helpful co-operation of its specialist officers. Four prisoners were transferred to mental hospitals under section 4of the Mental Defectives Act, 6 were transferred for special observation under section 37, and 10 were transferred after sentence under the provisions of section 38,

2

New-Zealand- ! ,, Year. born (excluding Maoris. j n orn Total. Maoris). 1 Uversoas - 1939 .. .. 1,427 310 768 2,505 1938 .. .. 1,248 252 724 2,224

Year. Under 20. 20-25. 25-30 30-40. Over 40. Not stated. Total. 1939 .. .. 178 424 413 612 875 3 2,505 1938 .. .. 123 362 321 555 861 2 1,114