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As to the buildings, arrangement for efficient classification is difficult, if not impossible, in all the city prisons save perhaps in Auckland and Invercargill. When the Auckland Prison is completed it will be an up-to-date gaol. Classification is, however, not everything, and classification even witli suitable buildings is not easy. It may happen that one even on his first conviction is as deeply steeped in crime as one who may have been ten times convicted. Further, one who may have been many times convicted may not corrupt his associates in prison, while one who may have been only once or twice convicted may be the'focus of a corrupt influence. At the same time, more efforts than are at present made must be made to classify prisoners, and this can be accomplished with the co-operation of trained warders, if the prisoners are placed where they are likely to be reformed. The work of reformation must be systematically carried on. The Board looks forward to much help from the new farm prison which is being established not far from Te Awamutu. This is a reserve of 1,200 acres, and, coupled with the forest- or treeplanting camps, should be a means of helping forward the reformation of those who cannot be classed as habitual criminals. The Board has been much impressed with the two tree-planting prisons of Waiotapu and Waipa. They seem to be excellently managed, reflecting great credit on their officers. The prisoners look quite different from those in city prisons. They are physically, mentally, and in conduct better. Waipa Camp is in an ideal situation. The prisoners in this camp are new to prison-life. Their hard work and surroundings should help them to reform. They need more literature, and perhaps some school or library work such as is insisted on in the institutions known in America as the George Junior Republics, at Freeville, New York State, and elsewhere. At Waiotapu, though the situation is not so beautiful as at Waipa, good work is being done by the prisoners and a healthy life led, and their surroundings are such as to strengthen their moral fibre. The prisoners in these tree-planting camps have done great work, and if the same work had been done with free labour the cost to the Dominion would have been far in excess of the cost of the prison establishments. We feel sure that if this kind of work is persisted in, the gain to the Dominion will far exceed the most sanguine expectations. The work of the prisoners will add in the course of time, not hundreds of thousands, but millions, to the national assets. We look to good work being done on the farm settlement, and we believe that attempts at reformation are more likely to be successful in these country districts than in city prisons. So far as habitual criminals are concerned, really not much is being done in the New Plymouth Prison, where they are detained. They get certain privileges if they behave themselves, and some of them are making efforts to strengthen their will to do right. They are kept at work. Some further steps should be taken towards their reformation. Perhaps in the case of habitual criminals not much can be done, except perhaps in their kindly treatment, in keeping them at useful and productive work of some kind, in encouraging a study of books, and in making their lives not unpleasant but somewhat irksome. The officers must ever try to strengthen their character, and lead them to struggle for a higher ideal of life than preying on society. The prisoners should also be able to feel that, so soon as their conduct shows that they can be trusted, they will be released, and a further chance given to them to lead citizens' lives. It may be said that these suggestions may necessitate some additional expenditure in the Prisons Department. Granting that this may be the case, and assuming that prison reform is to be viewed from the money point of view alone, the Board believes that it will be found that turning criminals into efficient and good citizens is a most economical proceeding. The Board cannot close this report without expressing its regret that Mr. Waldegrave severed his connection with the Prison Board by resigning his position in the Civil Service, and accepting his well-earned pension. His advice was always of great service to the Board. The Board desires to state that it has found Mr. Kayll, who is the secretary of the Board, most attentive to his duties. He is a gentleman who has for many years made a study of penology, and who is well acquainted through his reading with the systems of prison reform attempted in other countries. The Board has found his knowledge, and his suggestions, and his careful observations, and reports on the prisoners, of much service, and it considers that the Department is fortunate in having obtained his services. The Board may conclude by stating that the members have found the work deeply interesting, and they hope that their services may be of some help in the redemption of the inmates of our prisons. Signed on behalf of the Board. Robert Stout, Chairman.

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