H— 20A.

Reformative Detention. During the period from January, 1911, to December, 1935, 4,838 prisoners were sentenced to reformative detention under the provisions of the Crimes Amendment Act, 1910. The number of cases that have been recommended for release or discharge is 3,668. In 634 eases prisoners were required to serve the full sentence imposed by the Court. Of the total number released after undergoing reformative detention 26-94 per cent, have been returned to prison either for non-compliance with the conditions of the release or for committing further offences; 2-81 per cent, left the Dominion or absconded; 0-51 per cent, died or were transferred to mental hospitals; leaving 6974 per cent, who have not further offended, and who may therefore reasonably be assumed to have become useful and law-abiding members of the community. Hard Labour. Since the passing of the Statute Law Amendment Act, 1917, which extended the scope of the Prisons Board to the consideration of cases of prisoners sentenced to terms of imprisonment involving hard labour, 4,932 eases have been considered by the Board up to December, 1935. In 1,947 cases the prisoners were released on probation or discharged prior to expiry of the full time on the recommendation of the Board. Of this number, 1,079 completed probation satisfactorily, 109 were recommitted for other offences, and 57 were still reporting on probation at the 31st December, 1935. Habitual Criminals. During the period from January, 1911, to December, 1935, 534 habitual criminals were released on license on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. Of those so released, 57 per cent, were returned to prison either for committing further offences or for noncompliance with the conditions of probation. No offences are recorded against the remaining 43 per cent., and, allowing for those who have left the Dominion or died, this leaves 19-04 per cent, who remain in the Dominion and have not further offended. Borstal Cases. Since the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1925, 2,193 young persons have been detained under this Act, either by transference of youthful offenders from penal institutions or industrial schools, or by original commitments by the Court. There have been 1,905 inmates released on the recommendation of the Board, 1,738 being on probation and 167 on the expiration of their sentence. Of the total number released, 30 have been returned to the institution for non-compliance with the conditions of release, 164 were recommitted for further offences whilst on probation, and 334, or approximately 17 per cent, of the total released, have been sentenced for offences committed after discharge or on expiry of their period of probation.

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