3

H.—2OA

Of the total number of habitual criminals released on probation, 57-56 per cent, were returned to prison either for non-compliance with the conditions of probation or for committing further offences. No offences are recorded against the remaining 42-44 per cent., but our tables show that 3-97 per cent, died or were transferred to mental hospitals, whilst 20-09 per cent, left the Dominion or absconded. This leaves a definite percentage of 18-38 who have remained in the Dominion and have not further offended. Since 1917 the Board has dealt with the following hard-labour cases :—- Table E. —Hard-labour Cases. Total cases considered .. .. .. .. .. 2,259 Number discharged from prison on recommendation of Board .. .. 350 Number released on probation on recommendation of Board .. .. 506 Left the Dominion .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 Absconded .. .. . . . . .. . . .. 3 Recommitted for other offences .. . . .. .. . . 30 Completed probation . . . . . . .. .. 371 Reporting on probation at 31st December, 1928 . . . . . . 26 Table F.—Borstal Cases dealt with by the Board from January, 1925, to December, 1928. Total number committed to Borstal Institutions .. .. .. .. .. ..911 Released and discharged on the recommendation of Prisons Board .. .. .. 375 Released on expiration of term .. . . . . .. .. .. 64 Total number released .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 439 Of whom there were— Returned to institutions for non-compliance with conditions of release .. .. 5 Recommitted to institutions for further offences whilst on probation .. .. 26 Sentenced for offences committed after discharge or expiry of period of probation.. 33 Total number returned and recommitted .. .. .. .. .. 64 Reporting on probation at 31st December, 1928 .. . . .. 151 Number who have not been recommitted since their discharge or expiration of period of probation, and presumablv doing well . . .. .. .. 224 375 439 Of the total number of 439 released since the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, 64 have subsequently been recommitted, or 14-57 per cent. only. GENERAL SUMMARY. The following table shows the cases considered year by year by the Board over the last decade : —

Table G.

Probationers for Discharge from Habitual Habitual v Probationer v Criminals Reformative Hard Borstal Criminals for ari f> 10 , D erms ° t ± 1 Ycar " and Detention. Labour. Detention. Remission Probation. Totals. Offenders. | Hard Labour. Crimea | 0£[ender Amend- Probament Act. j tioners. - 1919 .. 97 471 115 .. .. 18 .. 701 1920 .. 74 467 75 .. .. 32 .. 648 1921 .. 75 564 167 .. .. 18 17 841 1922 .. 93 594 271 .. .. 19 30 1,007 1923 .. 74 671 304 .. 4 16 24 1,093 1924 .. 80 683 302 .. 3 13 21 1,102 1925 .. 70 747 295 .. 1 12 9 1,134 1926 .. 49 822 237 .. 2 12 16 1,138 1927 .. 115 766 325 .. 11 13 20 1,250 1928 .. 72 386 I 321 554 11 6 16 1,366 Totals.. 1 799 6,171 2,412 554 32 159 153 10,280 I I