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The Medical Officer visits the prison at least once a week, whether he is required to give attention to the inmates or not; sometimes his services •are. required more often than once a week. The conduct in general of the inmates has been good. A few minor offences were committed and the offenders were suitably dealt with by the Visiting Justice. There were no escapes or attempted escapes during the year. The main employment of the inmates is centred in the prison garden, maintenance of grounds and prison in general, and in the prison laundry. These different works provide a useful occupation and is beneficial to the health of the inmates. The more feeble inmates are occupied in cleaning and mending clothing, inside occupations being more suitable to their •disabilities. The garden has provided the institution with a plentiful supply of vegetables throughout the year, and any vegetables surplus to requirements liave been sold at the auction-market. Food supplied to the institution by the various firms under departmental contracts, &c., have been of good quality, and satisfaction has been given throughout the year. Representatives of the various religious denominations have visited the prison and conducted religious services for the uplifting of the inmates. Entertainment by way of moving-pictures have been provided at intervals by the Department, and on Christmas Day a party from the Church of •Christ entertained the inmates with a variety of song and service, concluding with a Christmas treat by way of cakes, fruit, sandwiches, and a donation of cigarette-tobacco.' These were much appreciated by the inmates, who showed their appreciation by thanking the party for their kindness. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society also provided a small gift of tobacco. Mr. Rogers, Visiting Justice, made a donation of cake and some cigarettes. In conclusion, I desire to express my appreciation of the loyal co-operation of the members of the staff throughout the year. Wellington Prison (Superintendent: Mr. P. McGrath) At the commencement of the year there were 69 males in custody. During the year 857 males were received, whilst 816 were discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving in prison on the night of 31st December, 1945, 110 males. The discharges were as follows: on expiration of sentence, hard labour or simple imprisonment, 207; reformative detention, nil; Borstal detention, 1 ; on special remission, hard labour, 88; released on the recommendation of the Prisons and Parole Board, hard labour, 18; reformative detention, 5, habitual criminals, 1; debtors, 8; mental defectives transferred to mental hospital, 6; acquitted and after remand, 9; transferred to another prison or to the police, 428; released on bail, 44; died, 1. The greatest number in confinement overnight at any one time during the year was I'll, and the least 69. The daily average number in prison during the year was 94-79. Th& prison Medical Officer, Dr. Douglas Brown, visited the prison regularly each week examining all inmates requiring medical attention. The greatest number of cases of sickness at any one time during the year was 8, and the number admissions to hospital was 8. The inmate shown as died in hospital was a remand prisoner who was transferred from prison to hospital whilst on remand. Thirteen cases of venereal disease were received during the year, 10 of syphilis and 3 of gonorrhoea; of these 1 case of gonorrhoea was admitted to the public hospital for treatment. The remainder were treated at the prison clinic.

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