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Other industries, such as blacksmitbing and plumbing, in connection with stone-cutting and building, also bootmaking and tailoring, are carried out in the Prison. These classes of employment give work to a good number of prisoners, who may on discharge, if they so desire, put the knowledge they have acquired into practical use. The west wing of the Prison has now been completed, also a portion of the south wing. Both have been roofed, and all cells occupied except four, for which doors and locks have yet to be provided. The locks have to be imported, and there has been a delay in obtaining them. The sanitary arrangements have been completed, and all that remains to be done is the joinerywork around the balconies, and a portion of the outside walls to be pointed. Before the building of the remaining portion of the south wing can be proceeded with it will be necessary to have another yard for the stone-cutters to work in, as when this wing is extended, to its'full length the cartway into the present yard will be cut off. The yard now being used for stone-cutting purposes will, when the wing is finished, be laid out as an exerciseyard similar to the one now in use. This additional yard is much needed for classification purposes. I have already brought this matter under your notice, and am ready to commence the work of wall-building as soon as it is authorized. There is no hot-water service for bathing at this Prison. This is a matter of great inconvenience, and one that requires attention. Neither the Gaoler's residence nor warders' cottages are provided with a hot-water service. I am pleased to be in a position to report favourably on the conduct and efficiency of the officers of the Prison, many of whom are a credit to the service. There was only one punished during the year, which I consider very satisfactory to record, seeing that there is a staff of thirtyeight officers attached to the Prison. I regret to state there has been a good deal of sickness amongst the staff, and we have been deprived of the services of several for considerable periods. Some changes have also taken place and new appointments been made. Two who were taken on as acting-warders with a view to permanent appointment were found unsuitable, and their services were dispensed with. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been well looked after. The Prison Chaplain and laymen visit the Prison at least once a week, and services are held every Sunday. First Offenders' Probation Act and Crimes Amendment Act. At the beginning of the year there were 17 males on probation and 5 released habitual criminals. During the year 18 males and 1 female were placed on probation by the Supreme Court, and 9 males by the Magistrate's Court, while 3 males and 1 female were received on transfer from other districts. Seven males and 1 female, undergoing reformative treatment, were released on probation from, this Prison, and 5 males were received who had been discharged from other prisons, while 3 males and 1 female, habitual criminals released on probation from New Plymouth Prison, also came to reside in this district, making a total of 67 males and i females dealt with. Of those placed on probation by the Court, 9 completed their terms satisfactorily, 18 were transferred to other districts, 3 absconded, one of whom was arrested and sentenced for another offence, and subsequently sentenced to three years' reformative treatment for breaking the terms of his probation; the others have not yet been located. Six of those undergoing reformative treatment and released on license were transferred to other districts; 2 habituals were again convicted and sentenced, and had their licenses cancelled; 1 female released from reformative treatment on the recommendation of the Prisons Board committed two subsequent offences, and, in addition to having her license cancelled, was sentenced to another term of four years' reformative treatment. The numbers reporting at the end of the year were 19 males and 2 females on probation from Courts, 5 males released from reformative treatment, and 8 males and 1 female discharged habitual criminals, making a total of 30 males and 3 females. To give some idea of the work to be done by the Gaoler at this Prison in administering the Probation Act, I may state that no fewer than 111 probation reports were prepared for the Courts during the year, in addition to correspondence when transferring probationers to other districts. A report on each person placed on probation by the Court has to be forwarded to the Justice Department, and a report on each probationer monthly. This takes up a considerable portion of the Gaoler's time, and interferes with other duties of equal importance. I have to thank, the members of the Police Force of all ranks for the valuable assistance they have rendered me, without which it would be impossible for me to carry out the duties of Probation Officer. I have, &c, A. W. Ironside, The TJnder-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer. DUNEDIN PRISON. Sir,— H.M. Prison, Dunedin, 17th January, 1913. I have the honour to forward my annual report on the working of this Prison for the year ending 31st December, 1912, together with the usual return of expenditure, &c. The number of prisoners in custody on the Ist January, 1912, was 29 males and 3 females, total, 32. During the year 225 males and 26 females were received, which represents 216 males and 21 females, total 237 individual persons. Discharged during the year, 233 males and 27 females, total 26P, being a decrease of 8 males and 1 female compared with the number received the previous year, 1911.

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