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General ■ Sinpe the Board commenced to function in 1911 no less .than 34,820 cases have been considered by it. This includes prisoners undergoing sentences of reformative detention, hard labour, habitual criminals, Borstal inmates, and probationers for discharge from probation or variation of terms thereof. Dealing with these cases under the particular headings, the results have been as follows : Reformative Detention.—During the period from January, 1911, to December, 1946, 6,456 prisoners were sentenced to reformative detention under the provisions of the Grimes Amendment Act, 1910. The number of cases that have been recommended for release or discharge is 5,260. In 706 cases prisoners were required to serve the full sentence imposed by the Court. Of the total number released after undergoing reformative detention, 25-18 per cent, have been returned to prison either for noncompliance with the conditions of the release or for committing further offences, leaving approximately 75 per cent, who have not been convicted of any further offence. Hard Labour. —Since the passing of the Statute Law Amendment Act, 1917, which extended the scope of the Prisons Board to the consideration of cases of prisoners, sentenced to - tprms of imprisonment involving hard labour, 8,153 cases have been considered by the Board up to December, 1946. In 4,051 cases the prisoners were' released on probation or discharged prior to expiry of the full time on the recommendation of the Board. Of this number, 2,642 completed probation satisfactorily, 273 were, recommitted for other offences, and 72 were still reporting., on probation at the 31st December, 1946, making approximately 67 per cent, who have not subsequently been re-convicted. Habitual Criminals. —During the period from January, 1911, to December, 1946, 737 habitual criminals were released on licence on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. Of those so released, 59-3 per cent, were returned to prison either for committing further offences or for non-compliance with the conditions of probation. No further offences are recorded against the remaining 40-7 per cent. Borstal Gases. —Since the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1924, 3,981 young persons have been detained under this Act, either by original commitments by the Court or by transference of youthful offenders from penal institutions or industrial schools. There have been 3,796 inmates released on the recommendation of the Board, 3,521 being on probation and 275 on the expiration of their sentence. Of the total number released, 2-76 per cent, have been returned to the institution for non-compliance with the conditions of release, 12-80 per cent, were recommitted for further offences whilst on probation, and 736, or approximately 19 per cent, of the total released, have been sentenced for offences committed after discharge or on expiry of their period of probation.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (783 copies), £6.

Price 3d.]

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—1947.

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