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Miscellaneous 9. (1) Deaths. —There were 4 deaths recorded during the year, 3 from tuberculosis and 1 from heart disease. (2) Escapes.—During the year 25 prisoners and 9 Borstal detainees escaped from custody. All were recaptured. This is the lowest figure recorded for many years. (3) Mental Defectives. —The following number of persons were transferred from the prisons and Borstal institutions to the various mental hospitals under the provisions of sections 34, 37, and 38 of the Mental Defectives Act, 1911 : Under section 34, 2 ; under section 37, 10 ; under section 38, 17. (4) Borstal Receptions.—A total of 104 male and 15 female Borstal detainees were received direct from the Courts. There were no transfers to Borstal from Child Welfare homes. (5) Courts-martial. —Six courts-martial prisoners were received during the year. HEALTH OF PRISONERS 10. (1) The general health of prisoners and inmates lias been good. There were 77 males and 4 females admitted to hospital during the year 1949. The daily average number on the sick-list was 17-56, this representing 1-79 per cent, of the daily average number in custody. The medical officers appointed for the various institutions made regular visits and special visits whenever these were necessary. (2) Suitable arrangements exist in respect of all institutions for professional dental services to all prisoners and inmates requiring attention. (3) Invaluable assistance is afforded to the Department by medical officers of the Mental Hygiene Division of the Health Department. All young offenders sentenced to Borstal detention are examined by a psychiatrist, as also are any prisoners who manifest abnormal characteristics from a mental point of view. As a result of these examinations the Department is guided in its treatment and care of those suffering from any mental infirmity or maladjustment, while the individuals themselves are helped towards overcoming their neuroses or in resolving their difficulties in approaching their problems in a rational and socially acceptable manner. INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL 11. Hereunder is set out a comparative statement showing the gross cash expenditure from the departmental vote and the cash credits or receipts which have resulted from the industrial and other activities of the Department:—
12. For the financial year ended 31st March, 1950, there was a further small drop in the number of inmates and this has, of course, had some effect in increasing the net cost per head. Although there was an increase in credits of some £ll,OOO, this was more than offset by an increase of £20,000 in expenditure.
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year. (iross Ex] )enditure. Credits?. Met Expenditure. Total. Per Head. Total. Per Head. Total. Per Head. £ £ £ £ £ £ 1945-46 .. 105,648 186•58 98,560 93-99 97,088 92-59 1946-47 .. 212,746 201-59 97,726 92-60 115,020 108-99 1947-4*! .. 252,541 226-17 112,956 101-16 139,585 125-01 1948-49 .. 276,894 259-19 114,258 106-95 162,636 152-24 1949-50 .. 296,901 295-57 125,622 125-06 171,279 170-51