CRIME AND CRIMINALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3596, 8 August 1912, Page 3

CRIME AND CRIMINALS.

NEW ZEALAND RECORDS. FEWER CONVICTIONS LAST YEAR. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, Aug. 7. There were fewer persons convicted lor breaches of the law doing l-st year than in any of the previous five years. The number was less by 365 than in 1010, though there has been an increase in the general population. These facts are stated in the annual report bv the Inspector-General of Prisons (Dr. F. Hay). The number of convictions in 11)10 was 4368, and in 1910 the number was 3COO, a decrease of 468. An analysis of the table showing the numbers of distinct- persons imprisoned after conviction during each of the last six years shows that the past year occupies a conspicuously favorable. ]xisition, there being fewer persons convicted than during any of the previous five years, so that there has, apparently, been a reduction in the criminal population coincident with the increase in the general populationDr. Hay considers that education has boon an unfortunate factor in the production of tliis condition.

The following table shows the number of persons convicted and imprisoned (exclusive of Maoris) and the ratio per 10. DUO of population:

Many interesting observations on the treatment of criminals are contained in the report by Sir Robert Stout, Chairman of- the Prisons Board, covering the operations of the Board since its constitution on February 15 to De(ember 31. Sixty habitual criminals and 100 subject to reformative treatment have been heard hv the Board, and it has recommended the re-lease on probation of 27 of the former and 37 cf the latter class. Three reformative treatment prisoners have liren recommended for unconditional release. ’['lie report explained that care is exercised to secure to released prisoners opportunities to fight the battle of life under favorable conditions and remarks that it seems hopeless to expect that “moral idiots,” as they have boon termed in England, can ever be turned into useful citizens. Hie Board recommends that if there is to be any great sit cess in reformatimc treatment the warders in the gaols must he systematically trained and there must be efficient and proper-ly-arranged prison buildings. Warders cannot bo expected to know intuitively the requirements of scientific reformative treatment and the Board proposes that warders should be thoroughly trained by men ,vho have made criminology and penology a study, and who have a knowledge of the psychology of criminals, as has been done in many continental countries. The Board also-_ urges increased efforts to classify prisoners and warmly commends'the. work that is being done jin tree planting camps-

Number. llatio. 1911 2877 28.33 1910 .32-42 32.00 1909 31.59 32..51 1993 3009 31.84 ]907 3091 33.03 1900 ■ . 2900 33.12