H.--20

The health of the prisoners throughout the year has been generally satisfactory. One prisoner, a returned soldier from the present war, was admitted to hospital for treatment of war injuries, while one prisoner was transferred to the care of the Mental Hospitals Department. Three prisoners received treatment for venereal disease. No deaths occurred in the prison during the year. The Medical Officer, Dr. A. C. Thomson, made frequent and regular visits to the prison, while those prisoners requiring attention received adequate and satisfactory treatment for dental ailments. Much helpful assistance was also received from mental-hospital specialists throughout the year. Close attention was given to the matter of sanitation both in the prison itself and its environments, and a strict routine of cleanliness was insisted on at all times. The food supplies continue to be of excellent quality. At times it was found necessary, owing to a shortage in certain lines of foodstuffs, to modify to some extent the ration scale as laid down, but, despite this, a well-balanced diet was maintained, and this was achieved to some extent by the substitution of foodstuffs not usually provided for. The supplies of beef, milk, potatoes, and vegetables were drawn from the institution farm and garden, and were of good quality. The contract for the' supply of mutton from a local freezing-works, to give a variation in the meat diet, was continued in 1944, and a good grade of meat was supplied. The conduct of prisoners throughout the year has been uniformly good, although, of course, we have had the usual crop of infringements of the disciplinary rules, but more or less of a minor nature. There were no serious disturbances within the prison during the year. Twenty-nine breaches of the disciplinary rides were recorded, a total of 24 individuals being dealt with, 20 by Visiting Justices and 4 by myself. Three cases of escape from legal custody, involving four prisoners, occurred in 1944. Two prisoners made a break together during the night, with the assistance of keys which they had made and secreted in their cells. Another prisoner effected an escape by scaling a wall in the west wing during working hours. These three prisoners were all recaptured within a few days. In the remaining case, a remand prisoner made a sudden and unexpected bolt for liberty from the receiving office, but was smartly apprehended. The representatives of various religious denominations made frequent visits to the prison, and the prisoners were adequately catered for in this respect. In the way of entertainments, the prisoners were catered for to the extent of eight evenings, and the assistance given by various organizations and performers was greatly appreciated. The Salvation Army, the Richmond Mission, Mr. A. Paynter, and Rev. Mr. Fisher, Church of England chaplain, have all contributed again to this cause. During the festive season the prisoners received the customary sympathetic consideration of those organizations and individuals who for many years have given valued and appreciated assistance. The Workers' Educational Association, Christchurch, also arranged a series of twelve lectures during the winter months which were well received. The provision made for the after-care of prisoners on their release from prison continues in the hands of such organizations as the Salvation Army, the Richmond Mission, and the St. Martin's House of Help (Rev. P. Revell, Missioner). During the year a committee formed at the instigation of Mr. Justice Northcroft for the purpose of giving assistance to selected prisoners in their rehabilitation to civil life commenced to function, and should prove of great help. The system now in operation whereby prisoners are directed upon discharge to report to the Mau-power Officer of the district in which they are going to reside appears to be a step in the right direction in directing them into a suitable avenue of employment. The Institution School, was maintained throughout the year. The following is a copy of the Schoolmaster's report: — " Steady application to work and satisfactory progress were made by the men attending the school for 1944. As in previous years, English and arithmetic were the main subjects studied, but much time was devoted to geography and history, and kindred subjects. " In English, grammar, composition, letter-writing, reading, and spelling were included. A comprehensive course in these branches was covered, helping to give a broader educational outlook to the men. Much interest was displayed, and satisfactory progress was made. "In arithmetic, work that might prove beneficial later on was included. The main items were money, multiplication, division, addition with problems, tables of weight (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), with reduction and problems, length and area tables. Fractions and decimals, with problems, were included. Individual problems were worked, and good progress made. " Geography and History : Besides past history, modern trends were studied, and the progress of the changes wrought by war were carefully studied. Besides the study of countries and people concerned in the war, due consideration was given to physical and political geography. Production in various countries and commerce between nations were carefully studied. Again the men showed continued interest and good results were obtained. " Throughout the year the behaviour of the men was quite satisfactory, and there was sustained interest shown. Individual talks by the men were encouraged where such were of benefit to the men. Altogether a good year's work was accomplished." Work of an essential nature in the maintenance and repair of the institution and farm buildings, as well as the staff cottages, was carried out as found necessary, and some work was also done at the Addington Women's Reformatory. A considerable amount of maintenance and renovation work was also effected to the Court buildings in Christchurch. The prison labour available is directed as far as possible into work of a remunerative and instructive nature, and, after making provision for the necessary domestic activities in the institution, itself, is apportioned in the main between the farming and quarrying industries. There are, of course, always a few men who are practically unfit for any form of endeavour, but, generally speaking, a job is found for all, however light it may be. At times difficulty has been found in providing sufficient labour for the various seasonal activities, but nevertheless the industrial work has been carried out satisfactorily. In the working of the quarry industry the production and sales figures were well up to the returns for previous years. From the quarry pit 15,325 cubic yards in all grades of metal, shingle, and sand products were obtained, while sales for the year amounted to 17,731 cubic yards. The work proceeded smoothly, despite the drop in the prison muster and the fact that the loading-machine was out of

10