H.—2o

1943 NEW ZEALAND

PRISONS (REPORT ON) FOR THE YEAR 1942-43 ALSO OPERATIONS OF THE OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT (REPORT ON) FOR THE YEAR 1942-43

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

The Hon. the Minister of Justice to His Excellency the Governor-General. Wellington, 23rd June, 1943. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report on the prisons and Borstals of the Dominion for the year 1942-43. I have, &c., H. G. R. Mason, Minister of Justice.

The Controller-General of Prisons to the Hon. the Minister of Justice. I have the honour to present the annual report of the Prisons Department for the financial year ended 31st March, 1943, showing also the criminal statistics for the calendar year ending 31st December, 1942. This report, on account of the present necessity for economy of paper, is much abridged, and the usual annexures (reports from local Controlling Officers and certain statistical tables) are omitted. These reports reveal that the standard of efficiency has been maintained. There has been increased industrial activity with a view to assisting the national war effort, and it is satisfactory to note that the credits for production— viz., £116,754 —constitute a record. With few exceptions the conduct of prisoners has been good. The incidence of sickness has been slight. There were four deaths and no suicides. The staffing position has been difficult, necessitating considerable overtime, but the staff generally has loyally risen to the demands of the occasion. Statistics. —The number of prisoners received into penal institutions during 1942 totalled 4,219, of whom 3,956 were males and 263 females, an increase of 431 and 132 respectively over the receptions in 1941. This increase does not connote an increase in the ordinary criminal population of the Dominion. The increase is largely made up by reason of the committal or transfer of over 500 military defaulters to prison and 400-odd persons involved in industrial disputes; and the substantial increase in the number of receptions of women (132) is mainly due to the greater incidence of prostitution and the efforts of the authorities to combat venereal disease.