A.—No. 12

18

REPORTS OE ROYAL

5. That the prisoners should bo divided into one or two probationary classes. 6. That each prisoner in the probationary classes, or at all events in the first, should be kept separate from all other prisoners by day as well as night; that he should at first be subjected to severe labour, such as that of crank, shot-drill, or tread-wheel for a minimum time, after which, if well conducted, he should bo allowed to do a certain amount of industrial work. 7. That after the expiration of a period of not less than [nine] months passed in the probationary classes, subject to extension for breaches of prison discipline, neglect of work, &c, the prisoner should be removable into the first industrial labour class, each prisoner having a separate sleeping cell, and not being allowed to communicate with others when employed on associated work. The work ought to be done according to a system of marks, a fixed number of which should be taken as a daily stint. The extra work performed by each prisoner in each month should bo valued at a certain amount for a certain number of marks ; and of the sum so earned a certain proportion should bo allowed to the prisoner for the purchase of certain sanctioned indulgences or comforts, and tho rest carried to the credit of the prisoner till his discharge. 8. That the after expiration of a minimum period, dependent on length of sentence, in the first industrial class, a prisoner who had earned a certain number of marks, also dependent on the length of sentence, should be promoted to a second class, with larger monthly allowances and some increase of comforts ; and that promotion should be made under similar circumstances, and with similar results, into a third industrial class. The labour in the industrial classes might be associated labour ; but facilities should be afforded to prisoners in the more advanced periods to learn or work at the most convenient handicrafts. 9. That after promotion to the third industrial class, all marks earned therein as well as during the two previous periods of industrial labour, should be reckoned together, and when a certain number had been earned, in proportion to the length of the sentence, the prisoner should be entitled to his discharge, on tho certificate of the governor of the establishment duly recorded and reported ; provided the prisoner had served at least two-thirds of the term to which he was originally sentenced. 10. That every breach of prison discipline should subject the prisoner to the forfeiture of a certain number of marks, duly apportioned by tho rules, in addition to other punishment, and the liability to be sent back to a lower class. 11. That each prisoner on his discharge should be entitled to the accumulated net amount of his allowance of earnings (according to marks), subject to such regulations as may be determined upon for preventing him from squandering the money on his release. 12. That facilities should be afforded for discharged prisoners being employed, if they desire it r on public works in the Colony, and for sending them back to the country from which they came to this Colony, or where they have friends or relatives likely to assist them. 13. That religious services should be performed, and secular instruction given, to prisoners (according to settled rules), by two duly appointed chaplains, one being a Protestant clergyman, and the other a, Roman Catholic priest —tho Protestant clergyman being of that church or denomination to which the majority of the Protestants of the Colony belong. The chaplains should be regular officers of the establishment, with defined duties and privileges. 14. That the Governor of the establishment should bo a gentleman of education, who has had considerable experience of prisons in England, Ireland, or the Australian Colonies ; that ho should be a Justice of the Peace; that he should havo the power to employ all turnkeys, overseers, gangers, &c, and to remove them summarily for misconduct; that he himself should not be removable, except for misconduct, without a certain notice or amount of salary. That the medical officers and chaplains should be appointed by the Governor, and unless dismissed for misconduct, should be entitled to certain notice of the determination of their office. That the other superior officers of the establishment (to be called Wardens or by some such name) should be appointed by the Governor ; but that they must have a certificate of competency from an Inspector of Prisons or other officer acting in that capacity ; and that such persons, if not dismissed for misconduct, should be entitled to certain notice or salary. 15. That the Governor of the establishment should, once every quarter, make a report to the officer inspecting prisons with regard to certain specified details, and an annual report to the Colonial Secretary, to be laid before the General Assembly; and that a competent inspecting officer should visit the establishment twice a year, examine the books, and report to the Colonial Secretary on such inspection, and on tho Governor's report, —his report also being submitted to tho General Assembly.

V.—LOCALITY OF GENEEAL ESTABLISHMENT. As regards the last indicated general subject of inquiry, namely, the locality or localities most suitable for such General Penal Establishment or Establishments, we humbly report that the evidence which, wo have obtained is by no means satisfactory, and is quite insufficient to enable us to make any specific recommendation at present; and we are of opinion that it it will be expedient that more specific inquiries should be made on the subject, and especially as to the fitness of two of the places suggested by the witnesses who have been examined or who have made reports. The following are the places recommended or spoken about by the witnesses :—■ 1. Taranaki,a harbour of refuge. —[Balfoitk, Feathekstcw, Wells, Cloijstos", Boswoetii.] 2. The Chatham Islands. —[Heaphy, CiOUSTON; Bolleston, (against).] 3. The Auckland Islands.—[Pbaeson ; reported on by Aemstkong.] 4. Quail Island, Port Lyttclton.- —[Reported on by Eeston.] 5. Mercury Island.—[Heapht, Hectoe.]

Places spoken of.