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The following summary gives details of the cases considered and the decisions arrived at: — Cases dealt with Board's Decisions Persons undergoing Borstal detention .. 371 Recommended for release on probation .. 168 * Recommended for discharge .. .. Nil Deferred for later consideration .. .. 202 Applications declined .. .. .. 1 £ ' 371 371 Persons sentenced to reformative detention 360 Recommended for release on probation .. 179 Recommended for discharge .. .. 7 Deferred for later consideration .. .. 170 Applications declined .. .. .. 4 360 360 Persons sentenced to hard labour .. 249 Recommended for release on probation .. 1 164 Recommended for discharge .. .. 2 Deferred for later consideration .. .. 79 Applications declined .. .. .. 4 249 ' 249 Habitual criminals for release or remission of Recommended for release on probation .. 13 head "sentence .. .. 38 Recommended for remission of head sentence , .. .! ' .. 2 Deferred for later consideration . . .. 19 Applications declined .. .. .. 4 38 38 » Probationers under Crimes Amendment Act 8 Recommended for discharge .. .. 5 Deferred for later consideration .. .. Nil Applications declined .. .. .. 3 8 8 Probationers under Offenders Probation Act 15 Discharge granted .. .. .. Modification of terms of probation granted 2 Deferred for later consideration .. .. 1 Applications declined .. .. .. 3 15 15 The Prisons Board was first established in 1911. From the date of its inception the work of the Board has been a most important factor in connection with the treatment of prisoners. As will be readily understood, the desire of every prisoner is to obtain his release as soon as possible, whether it be on probation or by final discharge ; and, naturally, the constitution of a Board vested "ynth power to recommend release or discharge was an important step in the integration of institution and post-institution functions which the' essential continuity of the prison and parole process requires. The Board's powers in regard to its recommendations for remission of sentences, ' either by release upon' probation or by complete discharge, are very large. In it Parliament has vested authority to review all direct sentences. Usually the Board's powers of recommendation are exercised only on a definite system as to the proportion of his sentence a prisoner must serve before he is eligible for consideration, but in cases where earlier attention is merited or where there are special circumstances the Board • is always prepared to review a sentence, and, if it deems it wise to do so, will recommend immediate release oil probation or discharge. There are occasions when such a course ' ' is necessary in the interest of justice and humanity, and the Board never hesitates to exercise the discretion given it in dealing with such cases.

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