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H.—208,

Court probationers for the year are represented as follows:— Probationers on the books at Ist April, 1927.. .. .. 69 Admitted to probation by central Courts .. .. .. .. 64 Received on transfer from other places .. .. .. .. 14 — 147 Probationers who completed their period .. .. .. 35 Transferred to other places .. .. .. .. .. 21 Discharged by Prisons Board . . .. .. .. 3 Sentenced for breach of probation . . .. .. .. 3 Left the Dominion .. .. .. .. .. 2 Deceased .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 — 65 Probationers on the books at 31st March, 1928 .. .. 82 The number absconding during the period has been 11, of whom 8 were subsequently traced and dealt with. It will thus be seen that the total number of defaulters has been very small indeed. Restitution to the amount of £119 135., excluding costs of prosecution, £33 14-s. 7d., also received, was made by probationers during the year. Compared with the previous year these figures show a decline, but this is accounted for by the fact that, while there was a larger number of offenders involved, the individual amounts received were on the average smaller, and represent a greater effort in consequence of the trade depression through which we are passing making it more difficult for restitution to be made. Licenses from Borstal and other institutions were as follows:— Number of probationers released on recommendation of the Parole Board during the year .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Number at present reporting .. .. .. .. .. 8 Discharged on the recommendation of the Prisons Board .. .. .. 1 Returned to prison .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Taking into consideration their youth and the removal of institutional restrictions and discipline, a remarkably good standard of conduct has been maintained by this section, reflecting credit as it does on the training and those responsible for their preparation for return to communal life. lam in the happy position to state that in almost every case employment was forthcoming and steady progress maintained. The difficulty with regard to securing suitable, or, indeed, any, employment for offenders on their admission to probation, and thus laying the foundation for mutual confidence and constructive effort, reached an almost acute state. The formation of a committee representative of the organized religious, social, and business life of the community, with its object in befriending and guiding the probationer in his uphill fight towards rehabilitation, has so far proved of such assistance as to enable us to secure employment for no less than 96 per cent, of those placed under our care. Although it is only a little over six months since the Voluntary Probation Committee system was organized locally with the help of the Field Organizer, I am convinced already that we can look forward with pleasurable anticipation to much useful work from this committee under the sympathetic chairmanship of Mr. Bartholomew, S.M. To carry on the work successfully, country districts and employers will require organizing as an outlet for the surplus labour created as the result of certain types, for different reasons, being unfitted to remain among the greater temptations of city life. There are those who can best be assisted in work away from city life—on farms and similar classes of labour— but who at present have perforce to run the gauntlet of exposure and rejection by making application through ordinary channels and labour agencies in the city. To do our work thoroughly with a view to producing the best results, everything is done to keep in as close touch as possible with probationers, their employers, and also, where practicable, with their relatives and friends. Thus, with systematic and sympathetic work and without undue publicity, every effort is made to assist those under our charge to lift themselves to a higher level. In conclusion, my report would be incomplete without placing on record my appreciation of the help and encouragement received at the hands of the local Bench and Bar and others associated with the Courts, also the members of the Voluntary Probation Committee, the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society, and numerous others who hav« assisted me in my efforts. Miss A. J. Simpson, Probation Officer for Women, Wellington. I beg to submit my first annual report as Women's Probation Officer for the City of Wellington and district for the year ended 31st March, 1928. The following figures show the number of probationers dealt with during the year, viz. : — Probationers on register at Ist April, 1927 .. .. .. 28 Admitted to probation during the year ended 31st March, 1928 .. .. 24 — 52 Completed probation .. .. .. .. .. 14 Received permission to leave Dominion .. .. .. 2 Committed to Pakatoa Island .. .. . . .. 1 Committed to prison for breach of probation .. .. .. 1 — 18 On probation at 31st March, 1928 ~ ~ ~ ~ 34

2—H. 208.

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