H—2o

Mature of Offences. —The following table gives a comparative summary of the offences classified under three main groupings—that is, offences against the person, offences against property, and miscellaneous offences :

In view of the concern recently expressed in the public press and elsewhere regarding the incidence of sexual offences, the number of offences against the person has been subdivided to show offences of a sexual nature and other offences. It is of interest to note that during 1948 there were fewer persons committed to prison for sexual offences than in either of the previous two years. It will also be noted that the number of commitments for other offences against the person was the lowest recorded during the past ten years. The number of persons imprisoned for offences against property during 1948 was 104 less than those for the previous year. Under the heading " Miscellaneous Offences " the total is down on the number for the previous year, and it would have been even lower but for the ship-desertion cases already referred to. Length of Sentence.—Hereunder is set out a table showing in comparative form the length of sentences imposed on persons committed to prison during the year

It will be observed that no less than 55 per cent, of the total number of distinct persons sentenced to imprisonment were given terms of three months or less, and that 67 per cent, received terms of less than six months. Although it would not be practicable to eliminate entirely short sentences as a summary penalty in the lower Courts, it is plainly evident that with regard to persons of criminal inclination they serve little purpose from a deterrent point of view. Any sensitivity or self-respect they may have had is dulled and the fear of future imprisonment is lessened. They are also futile in so far as affording any opportunity to exercise a reformative influence by way of

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Year. Offences Against the Person. Sexual. [ Other Offences. 1 Offences Against Property. Miscellaneous Offences. Total. 1948 85 122 948 1,029 2,181 1947 112 152 1,049 1,038 2,351 1946 92 129 974 1,018 2,213 1945 77 149 985 854 2,065 1944 84 134 947 934 2,099 1943 86 153 1,081 1,162 2,482 1942 110 199 969 1,751 ! 3,029 1941 96 153 789 1,331 2,369 1940 94 144 789 1,174 2,201 1939 80 158 ■777 1,490 2,505

Number of Prisoners. Term of Sentence. I 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. j 1948 Under one month 367 364 425 349 394 One month and under three months .. 627 639 753 866 ,807 Three months and under six months .. 327 318 274 313 262 Six months and under twelve months .. 189 1D7 203 224 206 One year and under three years 456 449 458 496 426 Three years and under five years 78 64 79 84 59 Five years and over 31 18 15 14 24 Indefinite " defaulters ") 24* 26* 6 5 3 Totals 2,099 2,065 2,213 2,351 2,181