5

H.—2ob

Occasionals and habituals are admitted to a specified term of probation. The former are committed by the Magistrate to the custody of a Probation Officer, whose duty it is to see that his charge reports himself every evening not later than a prescribed hour at the institution of which the said Probation Officer has charge. The offender remains in the institution all night, and leaves after breakfast in the morning, provided that he has occupation to go to. His wages are not paid to himself, but to his wife or a receiving officer, as the Magistrate thinks fit and directs. The first charge against his wages is for the cost of his board and lodging at the institution. As the offender gains the confidence of the Probation Officer and proves himself worthy of trust, the said officer has power to report to the Magistrate that his charge is worthy of a relaxation of disciplinary oversight, and, authority being given, he may allow the offender to sleep at his own home on one or more specified nights in the week. If this privilege is abused, the Probationary Officer can summarily withhold it, reporting his action as soon as possible to the Magistrate for indorsement and for further instructions. If the Magistrate deems that the offender's conduct is sufficiently bad he may summons the said offender to appear in his presence, and, after investigation, deal with the offender as either an habitual drunkard or an incorrigible drunkard. An habitual drunkard is admitted to a term of probation under more stringent regulations. He is committed to the Probation Officer, who keeps him in close detention, giving him only such liberty as he may deem expedient, submitting to the Magistrate a report of the conditions of the form of detention imposed. The Magistrate will indorse the report or otherwise according to his discretion. Incorrigible drunkards are committed to imprisonment in a State inebriate institution. Inebriate Institution. This institution is for the detention of incorrigible inebriates —that is to say, persons who are convicted of minor crimes which are in themselves the result of excessive drinking, such persons being considered unsuitable for detention under probationary discipline. The institution is in all respects a prison camp, except that this one class of offenders is alone committed to it. The purpose in sentencing prisoners to this institution is that they may be enabled to break the habit of inebriacy, recover their bodily health and strength, and cultivate habits of sustained industry. To accomplish this, industries are established which provide for as much outdoor work as possible. Vegetable-raising, fruit-growing, and some of the lighter branches of farming are the industries best suited for this purpose. It is necessary that a period of not less than twelve months should be spent under this discipline, and, when release is granted, the period of parole should be for a similar term. REFORMATORIES. Reformatories are of two classes — (a) agricultural and (•&) industrial. The Agricultural Reformatory. Site. The site which has been selected is near enough to means of transit to avoid the cost of carriage becoming a weighty expense. It is far enough away from other population to avoid intercommunication, laxity of discipline, or facilities of escape. About 1,200 acres (possibly more) is the area of the farm. The soil is fair to good average, so that prisoners are able to learn how to bring in rough land, and the use of fertilisers. The necessity for fertilising is not so great as to constitute a burden. Average natural advantages and disadvantages exist, so that prisoners may learn how to avail themselves of the one and how to secure themselves against the other. • Grading. There are three grades, the First, the Second, and the Third. Upon entering the reformatory the men are placed in the Second Grade, from which they can, when they have established a perfect record for seven consecutive months, graduate to the First Grade. First-Grade men are candidates for release on parole when they have earned a perfect record for six consecutive months. Reduction to the Third or Punishment Grade is occasioned through grave offence on the part of the inmate. Buildings. Every inmate has a separate cell. The members of the Second Grade have their meals at long narrow benches, all facing the same way. The members of the Third Grade dine in their cells. The members of the First Grade are housed under a system similar to that prevailing in the camps. Industry. Farming is carried on in all branches, except that no branch is undertaken which for any reason proves unprofitable or a burden to the institution. Every branch carried on is taught in a thorough and practical manner, and so as to provide for training the inmates in habits of industry and application, and otherwise providing for the installation of recognised reformative treatment.